Odd memory Voltages?

IEMC · Dec 26, 2007, 06:33 PM

My memory, as seen in my hardware profile, is made to run at 1.8v. The board is made to run memory at 1.8v, too.

I went into my BIOS and started looking around at my overclock settings (mind you, it's not overclocked at all, it's at all default / stock settings) and noticed that my memory is turned on to 1.85v volts instead of the supposed 1.8.

The question is: will that make a difference? I'm asking this because I've been having this random freezing issue that I've never been able to fix. It's a hard lock at random times, so I was wondering if this small .05 extra volts would cause instability.

The problem is that with these BIOS, I can't set it below the current value, that's just the base line of what I can set it at, and it doesn't seem that I can underclock. What should I do / should I worry?

(BTW, this is simply about the memory voltage, don't even address the freezing problem, as I have no money to start experimenting with causes, anyways.)

**kris23** · Dec 26, 2007, 06:37 PM

usually .05 v doesnt make a difference unless the memory is near breaking point eg. 2.25v with 2.3v being frying point

your memory im sure can take it, just make sure to keep everything clean, dust can cause freezes if in the slots, wi-fi cards too

ChaosMinionX · Dec 26, 2007, 07:21 PM

While normally I wouldnt trust software based readings of voltages, the only true test is a DMM (digital multimeter)...however it is not uncommon for a motherboard to overvolt/undervolt from a given value set in BIOS. IE- you set 1.8v, it reads 1.75v+/- or 1.85v+/-

Perfectly normal

IEMC · Dec 26, 2007, 07:38 PM

Alright. Thanks.

Speaking of voltages, what's a safe range that a +5v rail should be? At first it was at 5.11v, now after I flashed my BIOS it's at 5.16v.

Is that safe / normal, too?

**kris23** · Dec 26, 2007, 08:29 PM

for the most part yea, ive seen them up to 5.3v max when stressed higher than that, i think theres issues,

Dec 26, 2007, 06:33 PM	#1
IEMC Neighborhood screw up. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MI, US Posts: 770 Rep Power: 55 System Specs	Odd memory Voltages? My memory, as seen in my hardware profile, is made to run at 1.8v. The board is made to run memory at 1.8v, too. I went into my BIOS and started looking around at my overclock settings (mind you, it's not overclocked at all, it's at all default / stock settings) and noticed that my memory is turned on to 1.85v volts instead of the supposed 1.8. The question is: will that make a difference? I'm asking this because I've been having this random freezing issue that I've never been able to fix. It's a hard lock at random times, so I was wondering if this small .05 extra volts would cause instability. The problem is that with these BIOS, I can't set it below the current value, that's just the base line of what I can set it at, and it doesn't seem that I can underclock. What should I do / should I worry? (BTW, this is simply about the memory voltage, don't even address the freezing problem, as I have no money to start experimenting with causes, anyways.) __________________

Dec 26, 2007, 06:37 PM	#2
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	usually .05 v doesnt make a difference unless the memory is near breaking point eg. 2.25v with 2.3v being frying point your memory im sure can take it, just make sure to keep everything clean, dust can cause freezes if in the slots, wi-fi cards too __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Dec 26, 2007, 07:21 PM	#3
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	While normally I wouldnt trust software based readings of voltages, the only true test is a DMM (digital multimeter)...however it is not uncommon for a motherboard to overvolt/undervolt from a given value set in BIOS. IE- you set 1.8v, it reads 1.75v+/- or 1.85v+/- Perfectly normal __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Dec 26, 2007, 07:38 PM	Thread Starter #4
IEMC Neighborhood screw up. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MI, US Posts: 770 Rep Power: 55 System Specs	Alright. Thanks. Speaking of voltages, what's a safe range that a +5v rail should be? At first it was at 5.11v, now after I flashed my BIOS it's at 5.16v. Is that safe / normal, too? __________________

Dec 26, 2007, 08:29 PM	#5
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	for the most part yea, ive seen them up to 5.3v max when stressed higher than that, i think theres issues, __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!