How important are heat spreaders on RAM?

[platbr]

So I've gradually been buying up the parts for my new machine and have it all picked out. One question still bugs me, though. Almost all of the RAM I was looking at (DDR2-667 and DDR2-800) came with heat spreaders. I found a killer deal on some brand new Corsair ValueSelect DDR2-667 1GB modules on craigslist (guy bought for Mac Mini which uses So-DIMM, couldn't use) which I couldn't pass up for the price. But I've noticed they don't have heat spreaders.

Do RAM heat spreaders really help? Anyone recommend adding them? I've seen a couple articles on their effectiveness and it seems like they help a little, but might just look cool (as opposed to actually being cool, or cooling). Thoughts? Is it worth buying after-market copper heat spreaders? I do plan to overclock, although I'm not sure how much. Perhaps up to DDR2-800 with a little voltage bump.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Ram just needs a little air flow. If you want/need heat spreaders, they can be had for$3.

http://www.buyextras.com/ >cooling devices.


...Galvanized

 

[Henny]

Heat spreaders are only there for cosmetic reasons. (ie cover up the name of the DRAM chips and make the module look pretty)

 

[lifeguard1999]

With the possible exception of RDRAM and FB-DIMMS, heat spreaders do nothing to improve performance. RDRAM ran hot.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
With the possible exception of RDRAM and FB-DIMMS, heat spreaders do nothing to improve performance. RDRAM ran hot.

Maybe add to that some high voltage DDR like OCZ VX too. You're right on about the RDRAM.

 

[Ayah]

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
With the possible exception of RDRAM and FB-DIMMS, heat spreaders do nothing to improve performance. RDRAM ran hot.

Maybe add to that some high voltage DDR like OCZ VX too. You're right on about the RDRAM.

So my 3.5v DDR ram shouldn't use heatspreaders? That aren't OCZ VX.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: Ayah

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
With the possible exception of RDRAM and FB-DIMMS, heat spreaders do nothing to improve performance. RDRAM ran hot.

Maybe add to that some high voltage DDR like OCZ VX too. You're right on about the RDRAM.

So my 3.5v DDR ram shouldn't use heatspreaders? That aren't OCZ VX.

Notice that I said LIKE???? Just an example.