I've recently starting building a new PC for gaming and such. In doing so I chose the Ivy bridge 3570k Processor and purched an MSI motherboard, along with some RAM. Everything is complete and ready to go except the power supply.
When buying the ram I read, and I quote " It’s Intel XMP ready and designed to work with third-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and the latest AMD performance and gaming processors."
Now to me that suggests that the RAM is designed to work with the third-generation, Ivy Bridge, processor. More specifically, mine, the 3570k. I was told today that to stay away from 1.65v RAM by a friend and started reasearch into why now seeing that it can damage your processor. Now I don't want to damage my lovely i5 since I've just spent £175 on it, what should I do? Will this RAM work, will it damage my system, should I get it changed?
NOTE: The RAM has been unboxed and installed to the motherboard ready for testing when the PSU arrives, so I don't know wether I can exchange it.
Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A771ZSW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00#productDetails
Run the RAM at a lower speed, which should undervolt itself automatically. If it's faster than 1600MHz, most decent RAM downclocks to 1600MHz @ 1.5V. Double check with the XMP profiles though.
Overclock [b][u]AND[/u][/b] overvolt the CPU. From what I've read, it's not the voltage itself, but rather the difference in voltage between the controller and vcore. Some people have damaged their CPU from undervolting their memory and overclocking their CPU, despite it being 1.5v. Running 1.65v RAM shouldn't be muich of an issue if there is a voltage bump on the CPU.
You can manually undervolt the RAM to 1.6v and hope it's stable at full speed, as 1.6v is within Intel's spec.
On a personal note regarding option number 2: When I was overclocking my 2500K (4.6GHz) on my MSI P67A-G45 motherboard, I left the memory on auto, and for some strange reason, the motherboard decided to run the RAM at 1600MHz @ 1.65V (Corsair Vengeance spec'd 2000MHz @ 1.5V), however there wasn't any damage, so I suspect it was the CPU voltage bump that saved the CPU, however, I can't find the article(s) to confirm it.
I'm am going to overclock the CPU, or atleast I plan on doing so. I'm wondering what kind of voltage should I crank the vcore up to to make the 1.65v ram "safe".
Also, will the motherboard automatically throttle the ram on the first power up? Or can it litterally be damaged instantly when first powered up, if the motherboard doesn't automattically underclock the RAM.
I think I'll try option 3 first, do some stress tests, if unsuccessfull do option 1 untill I find out more about overvolting as such.
Well, according to Kingston's spec sheet, "The SPDs are programmed to JEDEC standard latency DDR3-1333 timing of 9-9-9 at 1.5V" so it's programmed to operate at 1333MHz @ 1.5v by default, and it's XMP profiles go to 1600 @ 1.65v or 1855 @ 1.65v. Doesn't sound very beast to me; in fact it's rather unimpressive. So, if you want full speed, either manually punch it it @ 1.6v, or go with XMP.
Just an update on this, I've got this RAM running 1866MHz @ 1.55v. It was causing blue screen on Windows 7 on 1866MHz @ 1.5v. Recieving a 7.9 Rating from Windows Experience Index on Windows 7 and its running stable.