Memory Over Voltage

[Kent10]

Hi:

I have the Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC-8500. I have it set to 1171Mhz with 5-5-5-15 timings. If I change the divider I could use 1219 MHz. I am using 2.2v and 1219 fails Memtest86. I am considering raising the voltage to 2.25 to see if it will pass but I haven't been able to find much information about the consequences of going past the Crucial rated 2.2v. On this site however, the reviewer states the following:

Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500

"According to Crucials website, it's safe to run the memory at 2.2v. For overclocking, I used 2.4v. It's generally safe to increase the voltage by 0.2v, but check with the manufacturer to see if this voids the warranty. You can overclock this memory a couple of ways, manually or using the EPP settings."

Do you agree that 2.4 would be "generally safe?" How about 2.25?

Thanks, Kent

[Elysium]

Because you have a Coolermaster GeminII giving the RAM a little airflow, I'd say it's safe to raise the voltage to 2.3v, maybe 2.35v, but that's pushing it.

I'm still waiting for the day you'll be able to monitor RAM temps with software like CoreTemps, but for RAM...

[_WBaS_]

I agree with yellowhello. 2.3 is probably safe, but 2.35 is probably pushing it. No documentation to back this up, but that's what I would feel comfortable with. A good rule of thumb with overclocking is to never do things you aren't comfortable doing!

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by _WBaS_

I agree with yellowhello. 2.3 is probably safe, but 2.35 is probably pushing it. No documentation to back this up, but that's what I would feel comfortable with. A good rule of thumb with overclocking is to never do things you aren't comfortable doing!

And you can afford to replace what you could break. ;D

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

I agree that it likely would be safe ... however when you take Ram, CPU or Mobo to their failure limit ... you already are at it's peak. That tiny bit of voltage shouldn't make any difference since your cooling is decent ... My question is where is your limit and how far will you back the max away from that ... or do you intend on holding the Ram to function at its stress limits? That I would not suggest.

I have tweaked all sorts of ram and had the largest gains with Corsair as far as headroom with FSB, voltage and timings. [Beyond its specs.]

My rule of thumb is that if the Ram is seriously hot to the touch ... walk the specs down. [The exception is GeIL ... which is rated at 2.4 V ... I have overcooked and RMA'd 3GB of that Ram however. [Thus Far]

[Capper]

Overclocking is a fine balancing act.
I always recommend people OC in moderation.....for instance making up the clock speed difference between a Q6600 and a QX6850....which is easily achievable and saves you $800.

A couple of things to keep in mind, pushing your hardware past its rated speeds will shorten its life, regardless of how well you cool it. I never recommend people take their DDR2 past 2.3V. If you remember back a coouple of years, when some companies started releasing enthusiast DDR1 kits running at 3.2-3.5.....those kits crapped out pretty quickly.....they'll work fine in the short term, but major voltages fry that stuff pretty quickly. there is also the point of diminishing returns.....where a modest gain requires far too much voltage.

Lastly, you aren't going to really see a difference anywhere except benchmarking..... take your Q6600 to 3GHz on a modest voltage bump, and be happy with the money you saved.

[Kent10]

Thanks everyone. I am learning so much here. I tested my memory at 1219Mhz with 2.25v and it failed. I don't think I will run the voltage any higher. I think the 2.25v will help keep the 1171MHz more stable though. I was hoping to get above 1200 with 2.2v or 2.25v as others have but not every stick will do that and I am happy with what I am getting.

[_WBaS_]

Good idea Kent. It's easy to get greedy when overclocking. Nice advice Capper :)