Don't Use DDR3 at Default Voltages As It May Fry Your Precious "Skylake"

[Karamjit]

Don't spare money when planning to go Skylake

There is a reason why the new "Skylake" chipsets come with a new DDR4 and DDR3L memory standards only. Although there are motherboard manufacturers that support even DDR3 memory modules, Intel says that a prolonged usage of such DRAM models will damage your CPU.

The reason behind this is the inherent high-voltage the old DDR3 modules come with by default. A DDR4 memory module comes with a default voltage of 1.2V, whereas DDR3L memory modules have 1.35V power supply voltage. Pretty low compared to a default, power munching DDR3 module that eats 1.5V, while some enthusiast-class DRAM chips can reach even 1.65V supply voltage.

As you know, DDR3 and DDR3L (from Low Voltage) are compatible and in extremis DDR3 modules are technically compatible with the "Skylake" processors. However, use a default 1.5 voltage module, or God forbid, an enthusiast 1.65V version and you'll probably fry that precious Skylake in no time, according to a Tom's Hardware news piece.

The manufacturers could get you in trouble themselves

The main problem is, however, that major manufacturers like ASRock and Gigabyte sell motherboards that boast in supporting "Skylake" CPUs in Z170 derivative chipsets, like H170, that allow installing DD3 modules. That's all fine and dandy until it damages your central processing unit beyond repairs.

This is a serious corporate issue that must be addressed, since manufacturers either didn't know of such a damaging effect on the long run or they simply ignored it hoping to attract budget gamers or enthusiasts wishing for a low-price system update without needing to buy new DRAM modules together with a new motherboard.

Also, even if the DDR3 will work on an LGA 1151 motherboard, it is very likely that, under stress, the memory controller could give in after a while and your memory will stop working.

So, to sum it up, if you plan to buy a new "Skylake" CPU, which currently stands as the best single-threaded CPU out there, and you lack the funds, make sure that at least you find some money to buy some DDR3Ls which are a tad cheaper than the DDR4. If you plan, however, to make the switch properly, go ahead and get yourself some DDR4 and witness how your world changes.

From

[Dodel]

An enthusiast 1.65V *cough* :)

[DKT27]

I think this is always a bit misleading for the users. Lot of people out there probably think Skylake supports DDR3, which it does not.

An enthusiast 1.65V *cough* :)

Lot of high speed DDR3 these days come at 1.5v and such.

[Cereberus]

i'm not going to bother updating my ivy bridge, until canonlake or something supports HMC which is going to be the immediate standard in memory. either that x-point who knows ;X

[rudrax]

So the DDR3 module is a problem only for "Skylakes". Others are safe.

[J.D]

Memory Speed DDR3-1600 (800 MHz)

Voltage 1.65 V (Memory Controller: 1.20 V)

Has been fine for nearly 5 years now

CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core i7-960 (Bloomfield)

[DKT27]

i'm not going to bother updating my ivy bridge, until canonlake or something supports HMC which is going to be the immediate standard in memory. either that x-point who knows ;X

Was actually not aware about HMC. I was only aware about HBM. It seems that both are unlikely to replace DDR that soon. Though we may see something like that to as an replacement of DDR4 RAM.

Memory Speed DDR3-1600 (800 MHz)

Voltage 1.65 V (Memory Controller: 1.20 V)

Has been fine for nearly 5 years now

CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core i7-960 (Bloomfield)

I think that 1.20v is for CPU, not RAM. RAM's voltages for DDR3 have always been around 1.5v to 1.65v. This range is probably supported by all the DDR3 supporting CPUs, motherboards and rest of the parts.

[J.D]

RAM = Memory Speed DDR3-1600 (800 MHz) Voltage 1.65 V :)

[DKT27]

RAM = Memory Speed DDR3-1600 (800 MHz) Voltage 1.65 V :)

Yes. Your CPU is made to work on 1.65v max, within 1.5v to 1.65v range.

[rudrax]

Memory Speed DDR3-1600 (800 MHz)

Voltage 1.65 V (Memory Controller: 1.20 V)

Has been fine for nearly 5 years now

CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core i7-960 (Bloomfield)

The amount of 1.5v & 1.65v voltages is only supposed to fry the Skylake family. Other families are not affected.

[Cereberus]

hbm is going to be better as it's more general usage computing, compared to hbm which is better suited for graphics.

hmc cost more though, not to mention it's delayed start up which made nvidia drop it to go with hbm.

but now theres intel x-point due in the next 1 or 2 years from now which from how they describe it, is going to have very fast latencies, durability, ridiculously high iops, higher endurance compared to nand by a lot....

initial estimated price is somewhere between ddr4 and ssd nand.

technology moving too fast to keep up with :X

[DKT27]

hbm is going to be better as it's more general usage computing, compared to hbm which is better suited for graphics.

hmc cost more though, not to mention it's delayed start up which made nvidia drop it to go with hbm.

but now theres intel x-point due in the next 1 or 2 years from now which from how they describe it, is going to have very fast latencies, durability, ridiculously high iops, higher endurance compared to nand by a lot....

initial estimated price is somewhere between ddr4 and ssd nand.

technology moving too fast to keep up with

You mean HMC.

Either way, I agree. It's moving too fast. I just wish to see that a common standard is adapted by all, a standard which is beneficial for all.