Memory Voltage

[Ezekiel1986]

So I'm planning on getting a GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050 ).

On the manual (page 10) it says
"4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory"


However, almost all the memory I check on newegg are 2.1V and higher...

Can someone help me out, why does the manual say 1.8V??

 

[jitpublisher]

http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-p35-ds3 r.pdf

Partial list of supported memory.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

That MOBO will allow you to increase the memory voltage. Most likely, it will go to about 2.4v or so. Also, most manufacturer's memory QVL lists are very incomplete. I would suggest you go to the website for the memory company you want to use. They should have a list of memory that is compatible with that board.

 

[PCKid777]

First, NOT ALL the memory on Newegg is at 2.1V. If you can't find, say DDR2 6400 RAM at ~1.9V, then you should try searching better.
Second, if you read some reviews, some RAM modules will default to 1.8V and generally 5-5-5-15 timings. This allows MAXIMUM compatibility across multiple platforms, allowing you to adjust voltage and timings after a successful system POST.
Third, I believe its a JEDEC standard that DDR2 modules operate at 1.8V; hence, the manufacturer of the MB must comply by saying that their MB supports the JEDEC standard to meet industry standards...

Please post the RAM you are considering for purchase.

 

[Ezekiel1986]

Hello guys,

Thanks for all the replies.

I know there are some memory on newegg with 1.8V, I was just confused as to whether that 1.8V stated on the manual was a hard fact, as in it will not work with any memory above that voltage.

So someone mentioned that the mobo will allow you to increase the memory voltage in the bios up to 2.4V, so that means basically that I dont have to factor in the voltage as a limiting factor when deciding which memory to use?


btw I was planning on getting these: OCZ 2x1gb ddr2 800

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124

 

[PCKid777]

Sorry if I sounded like a hardball at first...

Anyhow, that RAM is ok - HOWEVER, keep in mind that that specific RAM is already overclocked. IMO, it's best to buy RAM with the least amount of voltage supplied and the highest speed and/or lowest timings. My RAM, the G. Skill 2GBPK operates at 1.95V and 4-4-4-12 timings at 800Mhz. The OCZ has to use extra voltage (extra .15V) and has relaxed timings of 5-5-5-12, which is much slower than my RAM.

The RAM you chose is a good deal for the price, yes, but its like buying DDR2 667 RAM or even DDR2 533 RAM and overclocking it... which is why it's so cheap after MIR.

 

[Mondoman]

First of all, ALL DDR2 memory modules WILL work at 1.8V; any that don't are by definition defective and can be exchanged for non-defective modules under the manufacturer's warranty.
Second, the issue with higher-than-standard memory voltages is that memory manufacturers have many parts that are not good enough to run at higher speeds/better timings without boosting the voltage above the standard 1.8V. Thus, rather than sell them according to the speed they will run at under standard voltage, they overclock them and sell them (for higher prices) according to the overclocked speed/timings. Since these prices are often lower than what DIMMs that met the standards would sell for, and since the elevated memory voltages *probably* won't cause problems, many people buy these manufacturer-sanctioned-overclock DIMMs.

 

[PCKid777]

Well, I guess considering that RAM is one of the few components in a computer that has a LIFETIME warranty, then it does not really matter whether the RAM fails or not down the road - just the downtime involved, of course.

My only qualm about that RAM is that for such a voltage increase over the standard 1.8V, there is absolutely NO performance increase over equivalent RAM. I have read that tighter timings increase performance much greater than higher RAM speeds. For 2.1V, that RAM should have timings like the A-Data Extreme RAM: 4-4-4-12.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211174

Here's the link to my RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

@OP: If you are NOT going to be overclocking much, then perhaps consider DDR2 667 RAM and tighten the timings to 4-4-4-12 at 2.1V. Or upgrade to a higher tier RAM.

EDIT:
Link to DDR2 667 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609219

Overclocked, these are the RAM timings/speeds: DDR2 900 2.1V 5-5-5-15; DDR2 800 2.1V 4-4-4-12; DDR2 667 1.9V 4-4-4-12. (From one of the reviews. Heck, you can overclock DDR2 667 RAM to a higher level of performance than that OCZ stuff...)

 

[f61]

Theres a lot of CAS5 (555-15) at newegg. Even one or two 444-12's at 1.9V

 

[smoke714]

hi i bought this Super Talent Part#: T8UB1GC5 , 1gig each channel total of 2gig and here is my m/b GIGABYTE GA-M61SME-S2 Socket AM2 and when i did the futuremark test or detail each channel of my memory slot it saying 400mhz is this right? or it has to say 800mhz each channel since its ddr2 800 memory?? i really need help..someone told me that memory is 2.2v and my m/b support 1.8v but i dont think thats the problem could someone help.

 

[jitpublisher]

Yes, that is the way it works. 400 x2 (dual channel mode) =800.
Make sure you have the memory in the correct slots. If you have the memory in the wrong slots, ie. not paired in a single bank, it will run only in single channel mode. Consult your manual for the correct placement. Most boards will have the slots different colors, make sure you have the 2 sticks in the same color slots.

 

[Mondoman]

...each channel of my memory slot it saying 400mhz is this right? or it has to say 800mhz each channel since its ddr2 800 memory??.

1) Just because you bought "DDR2-800"-rated memory doesn't necessarily mean the system is running it at DDR2-800 speed. See this post for more info: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/200599-30-memory-nooob-aarrggghh-timings#t1249 881
2) Your software is likely just reporting the *clock rate* of the memory bus as 400MHz. This is correct for DDR2-800 speed, because DDR2 (*double* data rate type 2) transfers two pieces of data on each clock cycle.
3) Dual channel is a separate process that affects overall throughput, but not the results you reported, which are for a single channel.