Memory Voltage Question ... Before Order ...

[Tim_in_NC]

I'm thinking of purchasing this G Skill Memory ... http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231047

But under specifications it mentions voltage at 2.6 to 2.75 ...

My PC Manufacturer's website mentions to use 2.5V only ...

Here's the link ... http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/4054/4054sp3.shtml

Should I steer clear of this memory or will this just get throttled down to 2.5 volts when in use by my motherboard?

Thanks, TIM

 

[BillParrish]

You are asking for trouble. The memory may work at default slow timings but to perform at fast advertised timings it will most likely need the extra voltage. If the bios settings of your computer does not allow you to change memory voltage you basically will be wasting your money and there is a small chance the memory may not work at all. (if you cannot change the voltage in the bios the new memory will run at 2.5V as you guessed as that is the JEDEC standard voltage for DDR. )

I would look for ram that has good timings at the rated 2.5V (will be better ram anyway, I dont think much about ram that requires higher voltage to perform well as opposed to ram that does well on stock voltage).

Second issue it that it is highly likely the ram that came with the system is "standard" timings ram, probally CL3 but who knows as the system specs you linked does not go into details. So what you need to do is download CPU-z (small download, easy install, does not mess with windows, etc, ) and underthe memory tab it will tell you the timings of what you have. You dont want to spend money (JEEZ DDR is still expensive, ouchies) as ALL the ram will run the timings of the slowest timings on ANY stick. What I am trying to say is that if you have CL3 ram now, the new ram will run at CL3 regardless of it being able and rated to run at the faster CL 2.5.

So check it out first (your existing ram), probally you will be better off with value ram, but the way some of those prices are, if you can find some that is rated 2.5V and a good deal it may be a better buy even if they dont run at full speed.

CPU-z
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

 

[Tim_in_NC]

Thank you for the help and clarification ... much appreciated

 

[Tim_in_NC]

I downloaded the program you suggested and my current 1 GB of Ram is as follows ...

So, it looks as if I'll be in good shape when adding ...