i5 6600k with DDR3 RAM

[matzelijah]

I want to upgrade my PC to a better processor. Currently I have an AMD FX 8350, and an MSI 7641 motherboard. I want to upgrade my CPU/MOBO to a i5 6600k 3.5 GHz but I DO NOT want to upgrade my ram to DDR4. Now I understand that there is an issue with having 1.5 voltage ram when having the K on a cpu, from what I understand? Here are my questions:

• 
  What are the risks of using 1.5v ram with the processor? Is the ram always running 1.5v? I don't understand.

• What are good intel motherboards < $100 that support the the i5 6600k?

• Do I need liquid cooling? I am currently using the HyperX 212 Evo. I realize the whole point in getting a K is for liquid cooling and performance?

Someone please help me understand more what the immediate risks of using DDR3 ram with an i5 6600k would be. Also, if you could please link multiple motherboards. I've tried researching but I would like to hear from a more knowledgeable resource/community.


RAM I have: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148545

 

[Barty1884]

There are very few boards that support Skylake CPUs AND DDR3 - and the ones that do, support DDR3L (low-voltage, 1.35V IIRC).

1.5V 'standard' DDR3 can *work*, but you definitely run a decent risk of damaging the memory controller.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/skylake-memory-support,30185.html


As for motherboards, I don't believe any "Z" chipset boards were released that supported DDR3L.
Those were limited to H110/H170/B150 IIRC.

The only board I can find new/retail, supporting DDR3L is $200.
https://www.outletpc.com/fq6651-asus-b150m-a-d3-desktop-motherboard.html?utm_source=fq6651-asus-b150m-a-d3-desktop-motherboard&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Asus%2B-%2BMotherboards%20%3E%20Intel%20LGA1151

Considering the fact you could buy a more suited Z170 motherboard AND appropriate DDR4 for $250 total:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock - Z170 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.87 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $259.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:08 EST-0500

Investing in an over-priced motherboard, that doesn't give you full functionality of the chip just to be able to use non-spec DDR3 1.5V and very likely damaging the IMC makes absolutely zero sense.


The best price I can find for a 6600K retail is about $225.
Plus a $200 motherboard, you're already invested for >$400 and will damage the chip in the long-run (if not in the short term too).

At that pricepoint, you're actually getting really close to CoffeeLake, 6core i5's, latest Gen and appropriate, compatible hardware.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($209.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 AORUS GAMING WIFI (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $470.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:13 EST-0500

Or, for a K sku.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($265.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 AORUS GAMING WIFI (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $525.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:13 EST-0500

 

[DRagor]

DDR3 and 6600K is not good combination. Motherboard has to lower RAM voltage to the level acceptable to CPU, which may cause system instability. Generally, it's more trouble than it is worth.
You don't need a liquid cooling for K CPU - there are air coolers that are no worse performance wise then liquid cooling. But 212 Evo is just a basic cooling, would be enough for light OC, but not for serious one.

 

[TJ Hooker]

According to Intel, running Skylake with 1.5V RAM risks damage to the integrated memory controller (IMC) over time. I don't think anyone really knows the actual risk involved, i.e. how likely it is to shorten the lifespan of the IMC and by how much.
You can probably undervolt your DDR3 to DDR3L levels (1.35V), but it probably won't be stable at its rated speed then.

 

[matzelijah]

Spoiler

There are very few boards that support Skylake CPUs AND DDR3 - and the ones that do, support DDR3L (low-voltage, 1.35V IIRC).

1.5V 'standard' DDR3 can *work*, but you definitely run a decent risk of damaging the memory controller.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/skylake-memory-support,30185.html


As for motherboards, I don't believe any "Z" chipset boards were released that supported DDR3L.
Those were limited to H110/H170/B150 IIRC.

The only board I can find new/retail, supporting DDR3L is $200.
https://www.outletpc.com/fq6651-asus-b150m-a-d3-desktop-motherboard.html?utm_source=fq6651-asus-b150m-a-d3-desktop-motherboard&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Asus%2B-%2BMotherboards%20%3E%20Intel%20LGA1151

Considering the fact you could buy a more suited Z170 motherboard AND appropriate DDR4 for $250 total:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock - Z170 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.87 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $259.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:08 EST-0500

Investing in an over-priced motherboard, that doesn't give you full functionality of the chip just to be able to use non-spec DDR3 1.5V and very likely damaging the IMC makes absolutely zero sense.


The best price I can find for a 6600K retail is about $225.
Plus a $200 motherboard, you're already invested for >$400 and will damage the chip in the long-run (if not in the short term too).

At that pricepoint, you're actually getting really close to CoffeeLake, 6core i5's, latest Gen and appropriate, compatible hardware.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($209.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 AORUS GAMING WIFI (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $470.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:13 EST-0500

Or, for a K sku.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($265.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 AORUS GAMING WIFI (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $525.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-04 13:13 EST-0500

Appreciate the informative response. I really was looking to stay at a $300 budget with CPU/MOBO, but from what I understand now, it isn't worth the risk. Thank you!

I will just have to deal with the price and buy a new MOBO/CPU/RAM and maybe cut the price by selling the current ram I have.