XMP profiles sets my RAM at 1.65 is it safe?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685
I have this RAM right now 2400 G.Skill trident in haswell I7 build. My XMP profile sets the DRAM voltage in second column at 1.65 (it is highlighted yellow compared to all the other stats), is it safe?

As soon as I change value to 1.5V. So many opinions online can't make heads or tails of it.

Thanks !

PS: I plan on overclocking later.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685
Am I voiding warranty by any chance even if XMP sets it at 1.65V and why would it be highlighted yellow color text compared to all other grey readings?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685
For example browsing bit more :

From Desktop 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family and Desktop Intel® Pentium® Processor Family Datasheet – Volume 1 of 2 (September 2013) Page 18

2.1 System Memory Interface
...
• DDR3/DDR3L I/O Voltage of 1.5 V for Desktop
...

Running outside of that spec isn't covered under warranty if you should run into problem with a damaged memory controller on the CPU.

No one has said you can't do it. If the person who said that it is safe to do so, and is willing to pay the cost of a replacement CPU for you, then go right ahead and accept the risk.

The reason why the 1.5V is now officially stated is because some customers did damage their CPU's memory controller when they upgraded their old system from Nehalem to a new Sandy Bridge system and reused their old 1.65V memory modules where that voltage was programmed into the SPD table entries.
Click to expand...

Not sure if it is the same now, but you can understand why I have doubts .
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
COLGeek

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Apr 6, 2009
54,252
3,433
179,340
BTW, I don't recommend OCing memory. The performance gains are minimal and more likely to make a system unstable. The difference between 1600 and 1866 (for example) is negligible and not even noticeable to you as the user.

Rather, I would recommend OCing the CPU and GPU and running your memory at a rock solid 1600 (you can try 1866, but personally I wouldn't go higher). This will rule out one major variable in establishing the optimal performance levels for your system.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685
I see thanks, I actually purchased 2400 G.Skill Trident 16GB RAM, I know XMP overclocks but if I run stock its stuck at 1333.
Or are you suggesting I manually set my 2400 to 1600 or 1866?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gskill support

gskill support

Splendid
Feb 27, 2012
2,916
109
24,390
www.gskill.com
Intel only supports standard specifications, so they will mention 1.50V is the max. For enthusiasts and performance users, 1.65V is the max.

For anything other than DDR3-2400, or XMP, you need to manually configure settings in BIOS/EFI. The RAM can be used at DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866, 1.50V, 1.60V, it is very flexible, but you need to determine what settings and performance level you want to run at. Give us an idea and we can further assist you.

You don't need to worry about voiding warranty or damaging hardware. We would not offer a product that can harm your computer and other hardware.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685


I would be happy to run it at 2400, which under XMP profile sets it at 1.65V, it is highlighted yellow as if I have crossed a boundary.

Could you also advise me reguarding BIOS updates for my mobo, I have not done single one since my first boot. Everything has been running fine so far, would you advise me update BIOS (will it benefit performance) and if so where do I start, there are more than 50 http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VI_HERO/HelpDesk_Download/ .

Thanks for helping out !
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gskill support

gskill support

Splendid
Feb 27, 2012
2,916
109
24,390
www.gskill.com
Yellow only means above standard. In many extreme cases, we run values highlighted in red and that's still fine. As long as the voltage is being used, and it is not high value for no purpose, then that's not a problem. With a lot of unused voltage, the hardware is forced to regulate it and that can be stressful.

If you are not having issues, it is not absolutely necessary to update BIOS, but to fix all the bugs you can consider doing it so it is up to date.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685


How do I find out if the voltage is being used ?

Also on side note something else I have been grappling with,I am using Mobo Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150, so to flash BIOS :

1.Reformat USB to Fat32
2.Download the BIOS update you want
3.Reset BIOS to default, shutdown.
4.Turn off power
5.Put in USB in the bio flash USB.
6. Go into bios go to EZ flash and select file.

1.Am I missing anything in these steps, in what from what I have gathered is best way to update bios.
2.Does my mobo use .ROM or .CAP files (the one MAXIMUS VI HERO BIOS 1402 i downloaded was .CAP)
3.Do I extract files onto USB or leave it zipped and put it on USB?
4.Do I rename files on USB?
5.In the Driver and Tools tab (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VI_HERO/HelpDesk_Download/) there are also audio updates etc, are those done through USB too?
6.Any details on how to convert .ROM to .CAP will be nice bonus :bounce:

Very kind helping Asus newbie out.
Thanks you !
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
COLGeek

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Apr 6, 2009
54,252
3,433
179,340
In your BIOS, you can see the voltage being used in the memory settings.

Loading the Realtek audio drivers is just like installing any device driver. You can install from any location where you store the files (SSD, HDD, or USB drive).

What version of BIOS are you currently running?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685


Was not quite sure so inspected mobo its rev 1.02. When I tried to update the sound driver I got error intel smart connect device not found on bios, something along those lines.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Adroid

Adroid

Distinguished
Jul 2, 2009
1,763
0
20,160
Intel does not recommend running over 1.5V to RAM due to a delicate memory controll on the CPU die for Haswell/Ivy bridge. I think it may actually void your warranty.

Considering the minimal performance gains, I personally will not send more than 1.5 V to my Ivy Bridge RAM.

There is a large consensus of overclockers that think it's fine, but Intel does not. Here is one of many threads on the subject -

https://communities.intel.com/thread/30798
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685


Thanks Android, if I were to use XMP (still running 1333 till I make choice) would I change the voltage there to 1.5V leave it there, or is more tweaking involved?

How would CPU manufacturer know if you ran you RAM higher than 1.5V?

Is there a way to run 2400 RAM lower than 1.65V, if not might have been better to stick with lower speed RAM.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685


Also on side note something else I have been grappling with,I am using Mobo Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150, so to flash BIOS :

1.Reformat USB to Fat32
2.Download the BIOS update you want
3.Reset BIOS to default, shutdown.
4.Turn off power
5.Put in USB in the bio flash USB.
6. Go into bios go to EZ flash and select file.

1.Am I missing anything in these steps, in what from what I have gathered is best way to update bios.
2.Does my mobo use .ROM or .CAP files (the one MAXIMUS VI HERO BIOS 1402 i downloaded was .CAP)
3.Do I extract files onto USB or leave it zipped and put it on USB?
4.Do I rename files on USB?
5.In the Driver and Tools tab (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VI_HERO/HelpDe...) there are also audio updates etc, are those done through USB too?
6.Any details on how to convert .ROM to .CAP will be nice bonus :bounce:

Very kind helping Asus newbie out.


PS: repost incase you missed this one, I will give those settings a go tommorow, thanks !

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Adroid

Adroid

Distinguished
Jul 2, 2009
1,763
0
20,160


XMP profiles set the RAM to a designated timing and clock speed. To underclock the RAM, you will probably need to do it manually. Start by manually setting the voltage to 1.5V, then play with timings and frequencies. You could try doing 1866 with 9-10-9-28 CAS speeds @1.5V and go from there. I would google some other G Skill RAM timings and frequencies and try to match it.

I'll be honest I don't know how G Skill handles their products, the 2400MHZ stuff you bought may very likely be 1866 overclocked and overvolted. I don't know if they "bin" the 1866 sticks and sell the better once as the 2400 model.

On one hand its a shame to buy such top of the line RAM, and not use it at it's rated speeds. On the other hand, Intel says not to use over 1.5V because it can damage the CPU.

Again, I personally don't run my i5 at higher than rated voltages because to me the extra 2 FPS the overclocked RAM might give simply isn't worth it. I am exaggerating but google some charts - overclocked RAM offers very little performance gains.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom