ASUS Sabertooth Z77 1.65v RAM

[Mylaa]

Hi

Since my last motherboard died. I purchased the ASUS Sabertooth Z77 with Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit (1.65v) While reading the reviews, I noticed the memory runs at 1.65v but the Ivy Bridge uses 1.5v RAM.

I've read that you can get away with using an XMP profile to achieve the 1.5v RAM requirements even with 1.65v memory.

Should I just return the RAM once it arrives and get 1.5v or do I run the risk of damaging my motherboard?

Thanks

[Evildeffy]

Hi

Since my last motherboard died. I purchased the ASUS Sabertooth Z77 with Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit (1.65v) While reading the reviews, I noticed the memory runs at 1.65v but the Ivy Bridge uses 1.5v RAM.

I've read that you can get away with using an XMP profile to achieve the 1.5v RAM requirements even with 1.65v memory.

Should I just return the RAM once it arrives and get 1.5v or do I run the risk of damaging my motherboard?

Thanks

You should generally be fine, however it is requesting more V from the IMC and RAM, whilst the RAM may take the difference generally without issue the bigger chance is that your IMC might degrade significantly faster, as technically it's like overclocking your memory with the added V strain.
I would personally say that you should abide by Intel's restrictions as they aren't stupid, either lower the RAM V and probably speed or return it.

My personal option would be returning it and grabbing a proper one.

[DeltrusDisc]

Either do as Evildeffy said and return it and get proper RAM, or if you know how, go into the BIOS and try running your RAM at 1333MHz@1.5v.

That's what I did and I've had 0 problems so far.

(And I did this over a year ago.)

[inux94]

I've purely been using Kingston HyperX RAM for the past 5-6 years, only recently started to use Corsair Vengeance when I found out about their beautiful monster heatsinks, however why does Kingston's RAM go with 1.6v when the competitors use 1.5?

I've used the RAM you specified on my Sabertooth & they worked fine. (When the motherboard worked)

[vesseblah]

Either do as Evildeffy said and return it and get proper RAM, or if you know how, go into the BIOS and try running your RAM at 1333MHz@1.5v.

Definitely go this way Mylaa. Z77 is meant to be used with 1.5v or lower RAM, and even though 1.65v should work, it's really not recommended.

however why does Kingston's RAM go with 1.6v when the competitors use 1.5?

Money. Low voltage memory cost more.

[Mylaa]

This is also odd. Why does the ASUS Sabertooth Z77 supported memory document use 1.65v ram including my model?

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...Memory-QVL.pdf

If I were to buy 1.5v RAM what would be any good recommendations?

[Evildeffy]

This is also odd. Why does the ASUS Sabertooth Z77 supported memory document use 1.65v ram including my model?

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...Memory-QVL.pdf

If I were to buy 1.5v RAM what would be any good recommendations?

Motherboard support and CPU support are 2 different things.

As stated you probably CAN run that V without issues, but it'll very likely degrade your IMC on the CPU faster.
As they are sensitive, and any degradation = System instability through the roof.

As for memory, Corsair Veangeance LP (Low Profile) should do you good.