I intend to stick to the 1.5v regardless. I just am not prepared to push my luck with 300+ $. Not until i know what i am doing at least.

This is incorrect. RAM that is designed to be used with Sandy Bridge will run at voltage of 1.5 or less. You run a risk by using anything with higher voltage.

Give me a minute and I'll find a link to RAM "designed for" SB rated at 1.65+ and for Nehalem at 1.8+V :smile:EDIT: here we go, for SB at 1.65V:

The modules that make up these kits have capacities of either 2 GB or 4 GB and work on a current of 1.5V, 1.6V or 1.65V.

"designed for P67 boards"EDIT 2: "triple channel" kit at 1.85VIt was very common to see 1.8 and 1.9V kits for Nehalem a while back and lots of people have been running 1.8V for years with no problems

Give me a minute and I'll find a link to RAM "designed for" SB rated at 1.65+ and for Nehalem at 1.8+V :smile:EDIT: here we go, for SB at 1.65V:"designed for P67 boards"

G.Skill is really doing their customers a dis-service by making this claim. Intel has stated 1.5V is the desirable maximum voltage for RAM on Sandy Bridge platforms, anything beyond that will shorten the life of the processor, it's only a question of "by how much?"

EDIT 2: "triple channel" kit at 1.85VIt was very common to see 1.8 and 1.9V kits for Nehalem a while back and lots of people have been running 1.8V for years with no problems

You can always find anecdotal evidence to support any claim. The story would be different if every Nehalem system ever built had been running 1.8V DDR3 since its build date - a large portion of these machines would no longer be running today, and even more would be suffering electro-migration issues which cause instability.Note that I'm not saying "it can't be done", just that it's not wise to do so without first acknowledging and accepting the risks.

I am a little more confused now, it seems my requirements are 1.5V and CAS7. I am trying to find RAM that fits this bill, and I am looking at 8GB if possible. I am happy with the rest of it, it's just the best RAM choice for the overclocking I wish to do. I'd like some clear recommendations of RAM, specific ram modules would be great.I really appreciate all the responses to this thread! Thank youCraigEDIT: https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR3/Dual+Channel+1600MHz/8GB+Mushkin+Redline+Ridgeback+%23997000+%282x4GB%29+DDR3+1600MHz+7-8-7-24+?productId=44358I am considering this RAM, any opinions?

You are fine with 1.65V. I just check over at the other site and NickN is specifically recommending these Mushkins:Mushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996999http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226201Mark.

You are fine with 1.65V. I just check over at the other site and NickN is specifically recommending these Mushkins:Mark.

I am finding this topic very confusing. I go shopping for memory and the techs say "Don't go over 1.5v". Intel wants 1.5v. Many people in the business say 1.5v, yet i keep hearing oh no, this is bs. Don't get me wrong, the likes of Dazz and youself are obviously very knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware, so i am going to do a lot more reading before i feel qualified to argue the point. However, i would appreciate it if you could refer me to articles that tell me "WHY" it is ok to go over the recommended 1.5v not articles that just say it's ok because this guy or that guy did it, because what concerns me is what if things look ok for now and then 12 months down the road Sandies start failing one by one?

I am finding this topic very confusing. I go shopping for memory and the techs say "Don't go over 1.5v". Intel wants 1.5v. Many people in the business say 1.5v, yet i keep hearing oh no, this is bs. Don't get me wrong, the likes of Dazz and youself are obviously very knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware, so i am going to do a lot more reading before i feel qualified to argue the point. However, i would appreciate it if you could refer me to articles that tell me "WHY" it is ok to go over the recommended 1.5v not articles that just say it's ok because this guy or that guy did it, because what concerns me is what if things look ok for now and then 12 months down the road Sandies start failing one by one?

Without absolute maximums no one knows for sure (too bad Intel stopped publishing those)... or that's what I thought. Nick said it's all in the Intel white papers, maybe we should ask him where he got his info from. He also has contacts in Intel

No need to be confused.When assembling this SB build I was assured by ASUS that these Mushkin sticks would be perfect for the P8P67 MB, and that they should run problem free at their specs at 1.65v, which they do. On pages 2-6 to 2-11 of the P8P67 Deluxe user guide*, the ASUS Qualified Vendor Lists shows over 60 RAM products that are listed and recommended in the book as requiring 1.65v. These are OEM recommended RAM sticks and voltage settings, for their Sandy Bridge.That is why that particular setting turns yellow in the BIOS when set at 1.65v, instead of red. Most high performance users stay in the yellow, and I have heard of absolutely no one who has had any kind of problem using 1.65v. G.skill was right in claiming those sticks Dazz mentioned were "made for SB" at 1.65v, as that particular product number and spec is the first one listed in the ASUS recommendations on page 2.6. Don't worry about it.That is ASUS's opinion, which is good enough for me.Kind regards,*ASUS P8P67 Deluxe User Guide E6306 V3 January 2011, packaged with ASUS MB-B3 replacement Board

G.skill was right in claiming those sticks Dazz mentioned were "made for SB" Kind regards,

Yes but as mensioned before there is no such thing as designed for SB which is the same as MADE FOR in my book. Furthermore we are still talking about other people who are using 1.65v memory with no problems.Just being the Devil's Advocate here because i really would like to to see some actual technical proof on this one because i am at the bottom of the leaning curve right now.

Yes but as mensioned before there is no such thing as designed for SB which is the same as MADE FOR in my book. Furthermore we are still talking about other people who are using 1.65v memory with no problems.Just being the Devil's Advocate here because i really would like to to see some actual technical proof on this one because i am at the bottom of the leaning curve right now.

Rick,If ASUS recommends these 1.65v RAM components for ASUS Sandy Bridge motherboards, it is perfectly safe to use them. There is not much more proof to be had in this world when it officially comes from one the top Sandy Bridge MB manufacturers in the world. If that doesn't float your boat, nothing else will.

Furthermore we are still talking about other people who are using 1.65v memory with no problems

I guess that leaves me off the list then! :Big Grin: So, why not just get yourself a good set of sticks that run at 1.5v then and be worry free? I assume there are some good stable sets out there to be had. In any case, good luck with your build. Kind regards,

Just got a P8Z68-V and like Spiritflyer says, lot´s of RAM with 1.65 Volts.Quote from page 2-6:"According to Intel CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is recommended to protect the CPU"

Rick,If ASUS recommends these 1.65v RAM components for ASUS Sandy Bridge motherboards, it is perfectly safe to use them. There is not much more proof to be had in this world when it officially comes from one the top Sandy Bridge MB manufacturers in the world. If that doesn't float your boat, nothing else will. So, why not just get yourself a good set of sticks that run at 1.5v then? I assume there are some good stable sets out there to be had. In any case, good luck with your build. Kind regards,

Many thanks Stephen. My ram is already purchased: G SKILL F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM (DDR3-1600) As i mensioned before i am way behind you guys which is why i may sound a bit arguementative. Just trying to learn and get to the bottom of things. By the way i have requested a sample 4.5ghz oc on your new "pinned" oc bios settings so hopefully i can get off on the right foot with my upgrade.

Many thanks Stephen. My ram is already purchased: G SKILL F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM (DDR3-1600) As i mensioned before i am way behind you guys which is why i may sound a bit arguementative. Just trying to learn and get to the bottom of things. By the way i have requested a sample 4.5ghz oc on your new "pinned" oc bios settings so hopefully i can get off on the right foot with my upgrade.

No problem. :Nerd: I am sure you will enjoy that RAM along with your new Sandy Bridge. FSX is a treat to fly when everything is humming along at 4.5Ghz+ and it is in a good mood! Kind regards,

the likes of Dazz and youself are obviously very knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware,

Actually I know very little, I have just read a lot and basically parrot back what Dazz, Spritflyer, NickN, Alainneedle1, FPL and other say on this forum.Mark.

Ok now I am confident that my RAM choice of Mushkin seems to be appropriate.... I am settled on my components now... But based on member experience, what are the limits of overclocking the SB on air with this setup?