Re: RAN 1.35v vs 1.5v

T wrote:
> On 1/27/21 4:06 PM, micky wrote:
>> In alt.comp.hardware, on Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:03:52 -0800, T
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> On 1/26/21 1:56 PM, micky wrote:
>>>> I wanted to get more RAM for my newly-acquired PC
>>>>
>>>> Entering the make and model, HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor
>>>>
>>>> Crucial suggests only CT2K102464BD160B
>>>>
>>>> DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V •
>>>> 1024Meg x 64 •       $76 even cheaper at NewEgg,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Kingston suggests only KCP316ND8/8
>>>>
>>>> Specs: DDR3, 1600MHz, Non-ECC, CL11, X8, 1.5V, Unbuffered, DIMM,
>>>> 240-pin, 2R, 4Gbit   $98
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The items are in different order but the main difference seems to me to
>>>> be  1.35v vs 1.5v.
>>>>
>>>> That seems important, right?  How can they be different for the same
>>>> computer?   (I'm not really concerned about price unless they could 
>>>> sell
>>>> it cheaper by making it at the wrong, lower voltage. )
>>>>
>>>> Do I need to look up what the computer puts out?   Would one of 
>>>> these be
>>>> overclocked if the computer puts out 1.5v and the other underclocked if
>>>> the computer puts out 1.35?
>>>>
>>>> I already have 2 sticks,  Do I want to get the same voltage that they
>>>> use, whatever that is?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>      ------
>>>>
>>>> Other differences are
>>>>     Crucial says PC3-12800 but Kingston doesn't include that.
>>>>
>>>>     Kingston says X8, 2R, 4Gbit but Crucial doesn't include any of 
>>>> that.
>>>>
>>>> Does any of that matter?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>      ------
>>>>
>>>> FTR, I only looked at Newegg because Crucial was out of stock. NewEgg
>>>> says "Ships from China. Newegg Most customers receive within 10-32
>>>> days."
>>>>
>>>> Hmm.  At
>>>> https://www.newegg.com/crucial-16gb-240-pin-ddr3-sdram/p/N82E16820156047 
>>>>
>>>> it says sold and shipped by Ram-Store and when you click on 12 New from
>>>> $88.46 , it goes to the bottom of the page where they have 12 vendors
>>>> selling the same thing.  Just like Amazon does it. I only looked at the
>>>> first 5 but one is in Hong Kong and "Most customers receive within 4-17
>>>> days.".  One is in the US and "Most customers receive within 7-9 days",
>>>> all except Hong Kong for the same price!! (For Hong Kong and the next 7
>>>> the price gets higher.)
>>>>
>>>> But this doesn't matter until I understand the voltage question.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Micky,
>>>
>>> Call Kingston tech support and describe the issue to them:
>>>
>>>      877-546-4786
>>>      714-435-2600
>>>
>>> Kingston's customer service is something to behold.
>>> Because of it. I only sell their memory, unless they
>>> don't carry what I need.  They really, really back
>>> their stuff up.
>>>
>>> -T
>>
>> Thanks.  I almost did this but then saw that I had Samsung in there now.
>> So unless someone tells me I shouldn't, matching the dimms that are
>> there now is the right thing to do?
>>
>> SAMSUNG M378B1G73DB0-CK0
>>
> 
> My experience is that you should match them

You know there are more nuances than that.

If Dell sells a 6GB machine, you know right away
it shipped with a 4GB and a 2GB module, and it
left the factory in an unmatched state. The machines
are obviously flexible to some degree, as these non-power-of-two
machines are quite common at retail.

I try not to send people on excessively constrained
missions, if I can help it. FLEX memory capability
has probably been around now for ten years, and lots
of machines can accept, say, 512MB,1GB,2GB,4GB
in the four slots and still work. Is it "optimal" ?
Of course not. But for the average user seeking
an easy upgrade with garbage in the desk drawer,
it'll work. And the Intel caching structure makes
any reduction in memory speed, almost invisible
to these choices. (older AMD, less so)

It's better for the user, if they have a "retail"
motherboard in a home-built machine, as those have
extensive controls (even if I don't know what to
do with all the settings!). It's the Dell and HP
machines, you have to use your intuition as to
what aspects of memory choices will antagonize
the BIOS, or not.

"Strict matching" is a good rule for say, S939.

    Paul