RAM Heat Spreader

[gibbs007]

Is there a big difference between RAM with no heat spreader and with it?
If so, which spreader is better:
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148421
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104203

 

[Zap]

No. Heatspreaders these days are more of a marketing tool.

 

[PliotronX]

No. Heatspreaders these days are more of a marketing tool.

Yep, discovered a while ago that their TIM can actually inhibit dissipation of heat. They were meant for RDRAM sticks but a quiet fan zip tied to the memory sticks will do far better for keeping DDR cool than any thin piece of metal.

 

[bradley]

No benefit, and sometimes a hindrance... as has been stated. You would be better off without a heatsink and with the addition of a fan blowing over the modules. Good circulation is the key.

 

[Blain]

Is there a big difference between RAM with no heat spreader and with it?
If so, which spreader is better:
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148421
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104203

Get the Kingston over the Ballistix, but not based on heat spreaders.

 

[sequoia464]

Be careful with the Kingstons - they are a 1.65V part. I have four of the 4 GB versions sitting on top of my case, using some low voltage GSkill memory currently.

 

[KingFatty]

Be careful with the Kingstons - they are a 1.65V part. I have four of the 4 GB versions sitting on top of my case, using some low voltage GSkill memory currently.

What is the disadvantage of memory that runs at higher voltages? Is it because of using more electricity and/or generating more heat? If you don't care about those issues (e.g., free electricity and good case ventilation), what other reasons are there?

I could see how you could argue that lower heat would allow you to run better memory settings, but nowdays is it a waste of time to bother with trying to change memory performance? I've looked at some benchmarks, and it seemed to me that there aren't really any noticeable differences so it's just for benchmarking scores if you change your memory from stock settings?

 

[sequoia464]

What is the disadvantage of memory that runs at higher voltages? Is it because of using more electricity and/or generating more heat? If you don't care about those issues (e.g., free electricity and good case ventilation), what other reasons are there?

I could see how you could argue that lower heat would allow you to run better memory settings, but nowdays is it a waste of time to bother with trying to change memory performance? I've looked at some benchmarks, and it seemed to me that there aren't really any noticeable differences so it's just for benchmarking scores if you change your memory from stock settings?

I'm just a noob here, but from what I understand Sandybridge doesn't support anything over 1.5V. Maybe someone can either correct or confirm that.

Some of the 1.65 Volt Kingston memory is on the supported memory list for my AMD board so I don't know of any problems there.

It has kind of been drummed in to me to look for low latency, low voltage - so that is what I try to do.

Again, just a noob here with very limited knowledge, just commenting on the 1.65 in case of a Sandybridge application.

 

[Blain]

All else being equal, the lower the rated voltage, higher the quality.
1.5v is the JEDEC DDR3 standard.

IMO the main benefit of lower voltage rated memory is an indicator of higher quality.
The more voltage a DIMM needs to be slammed with in order to run stable the lower the quality of the chips.

IMO high clock rated, tight timings and low voltage = premium quality modules.

What he said. :sneaky: Buy This Kit

 

[Concillian]

The current "hot" thing in RAM is these... which have no "ramsinks"

OC extremely well, are about the same cost as all the rest of the RAM out there, and are ultra low profile:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

Ramsinks, especially huge ones are just marketing tools for people who prefer bling over actual functionality.

 

[Smoblikat]

The current "hot" thing in RAM is these... which have no "ramsinks"

OC extremely well, are about the same cost as all the rest of the RAM out there, and are ultra low profile:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

Ramsinks, especially huge ones are just marketing tools for people who prefer bling over actual functionality.

Its 1600 CL11 1.35v, i have 2133 CL10 that runs at 1.5v............

 

[Concillian]

Its 1600 CL11 1.35v, i have 2133 CL10 that runs at 1.5v............

*whoosh* (my point... flying above your head)

This is the same RAM, most likely... just not dressed up with big heatspreaders and upcharged. That was kinda the whole point of posting in this thread about heatspreaders...

Plenty of people are getting CL 7 @ 1600 and 9-10-10 or 10-10-10 @ 2133 OC's at 1.5v from this naked and super low profile RAM... same as the dressed up, heatspreader RAM that costs ~twice as much, like these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226245