Sandy Bridge not compatible with 1.65V memory?

[regularguy290]

i built this system a couple months ago using the i5 2500K and 8GB of Kingston HyperX ram running at 1600Mhz and 1.65V

i didn't do an extraordinary amount of research before this build, i was just really anxious to upgrade from an old Core2Duo. so i picked up some memory from a brand i knew i could trust (Kingston), and i knew that 1600Mhz was faster and the cheaper modules at the time were 1.65V so that's what i got.

now here i am browsing some of Tom's forum threads and finding out that 1600Mhz ram voids the warranty. o well, i'm not really concerned with intel's reliability.

but here is my real question: why is 1.65V bad for sandy bridge? i haven't really come across a real answer. i am running it now with no problems at all. am i causing some long term damage?

other build info (in no real order at all):
Mobo: Asus P8Z68-M Pro
power supply: Seasonic M12II 520
graphics card: Power Color Radeon HD6850
case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
CPU cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7

 

[rolli59]

Apparently it can supposedly kill the CPU http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=21199063

 

[jimmysmitty]

1.65v is fine. DDR3 is JDEC speced at 1.5-1.65v. The best is 1.5v but it wont hurt your CPU at all.

If you ever can, you can grab some Corsair Vengance which is DDR3 1600MHz 1.5v.

That or try your RAM at 1.5v, maybe loosen the timings a bit if its not stable. Still best would be grabbing 1.5v DDR3.

 

[regularguy290]

i can't get anything with a big heat spreader, this darn microATX board is too small. the CPU fan covers one memory slot and touches the memory in the second. it's not even a huge heatsink/fan!

would you happen to know if the heat spreaders on these are as low profile as the HyperX?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[amuffin]

I suggest you get whatever you want, then lower your voltages to 1.5. I have patriot sector 7 ram and it runs at 1.65v I have it lowered to 1.5

 

[davcon]

i can't get anything with a big heat spreader, this darn microATX board is too small. the CPU fan covers one memory slot and touches the memory in the second. it's not even a huge heatsink/fan!

would you happen to know if the heat spreaders on these are as low profile as the HyperX?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Yep those are under 27mm tall and a good choice.

 

[jimmysmitty]

i can't get anything with a big heat spreader, this darn microATX board is too small. the CPU fan covers one memory slot and touches the memory in the second. it's not even a huge heatsink/fan!

would you happen to know if the heat spreaders on these are as low profile as the HyperX?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Yea they are the same thing as the normal Vengance, same timings and voltage and speed. Just LP which means they will fit for what you need. I considered them until I found my Zalman 9900Max didn't push to the memory slots.

 

[regularguy290]

thanks for the help. next paycheck i will pick up some different ram, better safe than sorry. the memory i have now will be saved for a later build. i'm planning an AMD APU build for my brother, that will make it slightly cheaper.

 

[regularguy290]

Best answer selected by RegularGuy290.

 

[jimmysmitty]

This topic has been closed by Jimmysmitty