DDR3 1.5v vs 1.6v Haswell

jaysterbaby · Feb 25, 2014

So I have a Gigabyte ga-z87x-ud3h I believe it states the memory being 1.5v. I found a great price for 2133mhz of g.skill ripjaw x 16gb 2x8gb but they are 1.6v can I OC the board to accept 1.6v will it be unstable and cause problems?
I can get the ram for the same price as a the 1866mhz. its just the 1.6v is making me uncomfortable, I would like to know if it would work.

thank you

azathoth · Feb 25, 2014

You are perfectly fine with the RAM running at 1.6v.
Nothing to worry about.

tc983x · Feb 25, 2014

Try enabling the XMP profile for the memory in BIOS. it probably sets it up for you.

bignastyid · Feb 25, 2014

The only problem is that it does technically void the warranty on the CPU. Other than that it should run fine.

jaysterbaby · Feb 25, 2014

Well, should I just stick with the 1866mhz to be on the safe side? would it hurt using a 1.6.. I mean worse case scenario?

geofelt · Feb 25, 2014

1.6v ram is really 1.5v ram that can be overclocked to reach higher speeds.

I would not chase higher speed ram for haswell. In real app performance or FPS, you are looking at 11-3% differences between slow and fast ram. I would stick with 1866, and look for lower latencies if anything.
Read this:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

jaysterbaby · Feb 25, 2014

geofelt :

Hey thanks for that, it took a lot of weight off my shoulders.

thanks for everyone else's comments as well. The 2133mhz sticks I'm looking to get are cl9 with 9-11-11

tc983x · Feb 25, 2014

Just remember to go into bios and select your XMP profile.. that will automatically set timings and voltage for the ram.

Deuce65 · Feb 25, 2014

bignastyid :

No, it doesn't. Why do people say this? Where did this even come from? I'm anal enough to have read the ENTIRE warranty booklet that came with one of my Haswell CPUs and it says nothing at all about voiding your warranty for this.

jaysterbaby · Feb 25, 2014

Deuce65 :

Yeah I didn't think it did either, I just don't want a 1.6v to fry the cpu if the cpu only recommends 1.5v
I went on pcpartpicker.com and put in all my parts and the only compatibility note was

Compatibility Notes
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory operating voltage of 1.6V exceeds the Intel Haswell CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

And as far and the xmp setting, Ive read that people don't like normally doing that

tc983x · Feb 25, 2014

XMP profile is the way to go.. atleast for me.. it sets up the timings the way the memory manufac wanted them to be. Also, helps with stability

bignastyid · Feb 25, 2014

Deuce65 :

I heard it and dug, could find anything written so I asked an Intel rep and was told that it did.They recommend 1.5v +5%(1.575). Its the same recommendation PCpartpicker gives when building a system.

Bojangle12 · Feb 25, 2014

Wow, i was about to ask this same question about RAM but then I saw this thread. What a coincidence.

So you can buy 1.65v memory for a board that says to use 1.5v? Does this go for all mobos or just the one that the thread-maker is talking about?

Tradesman1 · Feb 26, 2014

The 1.5 +/- is directed at the native freq 1600 sticks, I normally recommend 1.5 through 1866, and from 2133 and up 1.6-1.65 is perfectly fine, in fact Intel even certifies DRAM at 1.65 - Also Haswell likes fast DRAM, though 1600-1866 is perfectly fine for gaming, if you are into imaging, video, VMs, CAD, do a lot of multi-tasking, you prob be pleased with 2133-2400 (or even higher)

Pinhedd · Feb 26, 2014

bignastyid :

I was told by another Intel rep that it won't void the warranty. This is in line with what is expected considering that XMP is an Intel trademark, and all memory modules carrying the XMP trademark have been validated by Intel.

Stable operation outside the specifications of the CPU is not guaranteed, but using XMP won't void the warranty.

jaysterbaby · Feb 26, 2014

So my G.skills 2133mhz will work without issues? as long as I set up xmp profile in bios
If I set up in xmp will it raise the timings and lower the voltage. or can I keep the voltage and the low timings

Tradesman1 · Feb 26, 2014

Depending on your CPU yes, K models should be fine , some of the entry level CPUs may be rather iffy

jaysterbaby · Feb 26, 2014

Tradesman1 :

mine is a i7-4770k, do I have to set the ram in bios or can I just plug and play

vostro89 · Feb 26, 2014

Awesome thread lots of good information. Or at least the answers I was looking for. My thread just didn't get the responses I was looking for. I had the same compatibility issue flag up on my pcpartpicker list. My mobo supports high speed ram but the i74770k has the lower recommended voltages.

jaysterbaby · Feb 26, 2014

vostro89 :

I know it was very useful information. but my ga-z87x-ud3h motherboard on the website shows its can take
2400(OC)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules, but I can get a good price of these 2133mhz RAM for the same price as the 1866mhz. also the website states maximum of 1.5v so which is why I'm a bit confused on the matter.
Same with the i7-4770k I'm not 100% sure it will accept the memory voltage

jaysterbaby · Feb 26, 2014

So I have confirmed through email with Gigabyte and G.Skill and With the i7-4770k it all is compatible.
The G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 1.6v I ordered arrived and there was a big
sticker on the front package of the very sexy looking ram. "Z87 Compatible"

Thank you everyone for your answers I will decide which to choose for the best solution, I would love to give you all best solutions

Tradesman1 · Feb 26, 2014

Have fun w/ them

DDR3 1.5v vs 1.6v Haswell

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