Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H bios voltage settings? (all Gigabyte owners weigh in)

[bgc99]

I'm considering using this board for a new build for my parents. I downloaded the manual and it says the following about DDR3 voltage:

"System Voltage Control
Determines whether to manually set the system voltages. Auto lets the BIOS automatically set the system voltages as required. Manual allows all voltage control items below to be configurable. (Default: Manual)

DDR3 Voltage Control
Allows you to set memory voltage.
Normal Supplies the memory voltage as required. (Default)
+0.050V ~ +0.750V Increases memory voltage by 0.050V to 0.750V at 0.05V increment.
Note: Increasing memory voltage may result in damage to the memory."

If the System Voltage Control is set to AUTO, or if it is set to manual and the DDR3 Voltage Control is set to NORMAL, what is the voltage going to be?

The manual doesn't say what other choices besides NORMAL are in the DDR3 Voltage Control. It appears to me that the initial memory voltage is set automatically and you can add to it but have no control of the starting point?

Thanks,
BGC

 

[thefreeaccount]

I don't own that board, but since no one has replied so far -
The standard voltage for DDR3 is 1.5V. However, I believe Gigabyte defaults to 1.6V in order to help high-voltage RAM POST. If you're ever unsure about your voltage settings, the hardware monitor section of the CMOS should always display the actual voltage your RAM is receiving.

It appears to me that the initial memory voltage is set automatically and you can add to it but have no control of the starting point?

It's just a difference in user interface display. Instead of showing "1.5v, 1.55v, 1.6v", it will show "+0v, +0.05v, +0.1v". This method of presentation prevents the user from changing the voltage to something wacky during a moment of confusion. For example, late at night, I once undervolted my DDR2. I had previously set the voltage correctly, but on that night, I forgot that the default for DDR2 is 1.8V, not 1.5V, so I figured I had set the voltage way too high.

 

[bgc99]

It's just a difference in user interface display.

If you don't know the starting point for the voltage it makes it difficult to make an informed decision on what memory modules to purchase for the mobo.

They do have an approved list but those always have just a fraction of what would actually work in a particular mobo.

BGC

 

[thefreeaccount]

If you don't know the starting point for the voltage it makes it difficult to make an informed decision on what memory modules to purchase for the mobo.

I'm not too sure what you mean by that. As far as I know, there's no motherboard that will allow you to change the RAM voltage through jumpers or something prior to booting. Nor should any motherboard default to something much higher than 1.5v - I'm sure that would fry some generic memory!

Are you worried about the RAM failing to POST? If so, I would be more worried about crappy/generic 1.5v memory than the high-voltage stuff. This is a very overclocking-centric motherboard; it is intended to be used with aggressive memory. The board will fall back to very slow 'safe' settings for speed and timings if the RAM won't POST initially at its rated speed and 1.6V.