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Safe RAM Voltage

C

CloudEmeron

n00b
Joined
Oct 4, 2003
Messages
43
I've finally got my NF7-S running with my Barton 2500+. Right now it's running 218x10. I KNOW people can get these NF7-S mobos up to 225+, and as soon as I turn it up to 219 I run into instability problems. I've got really nice Twin X Corsair, PC3200LL. Running the CPU at 1.75. I was running the RAM voltage at 2.7 now I'm at 2.8... If it is my RAM that needs more voltage, what's a safe voltage to run this RAM at? I don't want to fry it. Costed $150 or so.

If you don't think it's the RAM, any suggestions getting me past 219 FSB?
 
those are fine voltages ..once you hit the 2.9+ range then thats can lead to = dead memeory ...
 
The transient curve of the RAM sticks is tight against the tolerance. Really 2.8v is as high as you should try. Please be reminded that some revisions of RAM chips simply do not like overclock beyond specs.

Tell us the code of the individual chips on the ram stick - might shed some light on the situation.
 
I personally hit 221 on that board with that proc, but you could definitely hit higher...my RAM isn't all that great.

In my experience, the NF7-S over-volts the RAM, so you might want to consult Abit's EQ or similar to see the real VDIMM. I've been running my RAM at 2.8V (closer to 2.9V in reality) for quite some time now without any unforeseen problems. Stock this board goes up to 2.9 VDIMM I believe (3.0 or so actual) and I think that's still pretty safe. You really shouldn't need to go over 2.8V too often but I know a lot of guys here go significantly beyond that without issues. A rule-of-thumb for voltage is to consider the nominal operating voltage (2.5V), add .1V, then add 10% of that...roughly 2.9V. That's about the maximum the RAM is made to run in nominal operating conditions.

If you look at various datasheets for such things, it is very common for them to have a +/-10% threshold. But the manufacturer's often round down or decrease the real thresholds for various reasons. Hence, you can safely add .1V before getting an idea of the real threshold. Cooling on the RAM does help here, although perhaps not astronomically except in situations of high stress. But beyond that calculated threshold, you will most likely be reducing the lifespan of your RAM somewhat (probably not significantly at 2.9/3.0 V on this board).

For all these reasons I advise you stick to 2.8V (2.9V actual) if you really want to be safe, but 2.9V (3.0V) will very likely be perfectly safe for that high-quality RAM.
 
thebro, join the club. I get banned from forums sometimes just cuz "im a crazy stupid overclocking nut"
 
roughly 2.9V. That's about the maximum the RAM is made to run in nominal operating conditions.
Click to expand...

nominal conditions. for when you want it to run for 20 years. ive been all over this forum, amdmb, and xs for about 5 months and ive not yet seen a post from someone, even some dumbass, who has burnt their memory from 3+ volts. but then again, i dont know long people have been putting that kind of voltage into their memory.

if someone does have evidence showing voltage over 2.9 kills your RAM, let me know. cause ive been assuming there's nothing wrong with it.
 
3.2V on my Geil PC4000 and it's even rated for 3.2V :p I've had it there since early december of 03. So thats 4 months @ 3V+
 
geil pc4000 is rated for 3.1v duh!:D


my pc400 golden dragon is raded at 2.95v

i have some crappy elixer ram at 3.2v
 
heh, w/ cpu interface on I can hit 220 or so, w/o I can hit 240 ish (went in 5 mhz incriments and 245 crashed). I've done the pin mod and put a passive heatsink on my southbridge. I run at 200 for convinience sake, since I don't have the time to do a full battery of benchmarks and stability tests at 220 and 240.
 
I know I should have a higher FSB than this. I've got a frelling SLK-900 with a 92mm Panaflo on that thing. Maybe I need some extra cooling on my northbridge? It has the stock cooler on it now. I could put a Vantec IceBurg with some AS5 on it, but I don't see how that could make a huge difference.

What do you guys think my best course of action for getting past 219 is?
 
remember, when they post the ram rating, its usually for that stock speed..

meaning if it says its rated for 2.6v, and its a stick of DDR400, then at ddr400 it needs 2.6v, but i can assurely say that name brand ram should be able to suffice @ 3.0-3.2+ or so over a length of time..

or do some research on the best overclockable ramchips and get a stick using them...

the Winbond CH5's on buffalo's are being praised heavily as of presently.
 
I can't get past 218 for the life of me. I remember hearing about there being two kinds of NF7-S mobos. Ones that can pass 220 and ones that can't. I've also heard of RMAing the ones that can't, in hopes of getting one that can. I wonder if I am in that category...
 
Thebro - Damn dude, how did you get banned from that site after having all those posts? That's bogus man. Dude, I'm a newb, but what kind of fan is that thing on your motherboard that looks like a jet engine man? I need me one of those. :D
 
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