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**GSKILL TECH** · 05-11-2010, 03:36 PM

The reason why they are for Intel only is because those motherboards can reduce memory voltage to 1.35V. This is your main problem as your default is 1.50V or 1.60V, it may be too much voltage. I would suggest a different memory package with closer voltage ratings.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

**Kill-A-Watt** · 05-12-2010, 02:15 AM

ECO Memory & AMD Mobo's

Thanks for your tip about Intel only mobo’s accepting reduced memory voltage to 1.35V. I am a big fan for AMD mobo's

Why are ‘newegg’ customers purchasing ECO series memory modules and successfully running on AMD 785 or 790 ASUS mobo’s. Have these customers found a way to lower the BIOS voltage to 1.35V or maybe the memory sticks are running OK at 1.5V. Does “too much voltage” overheat or slowly damage the memory sticks? Is the minimum memory voltage a restriction set by the mobo manufacturer (ASUS/MSI/GA) and/or set by AMD memory controller?

F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231318
Deity of War @ January 14, 2010.

F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231321
NickleFive @ March 15, 2010; WheresWaldo @ March 3, 2010;
Julio @ February 24, 2010; N/A @ January 14, 2010.

F3-12800CL8D-4GBECO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231320
seeker073180 @ April 9, 2010; Gideon7 @ January 14, 2010.

Yes, I am aware of “different memory package” which are qualified for the mobo’s (e.g. Ripjaws) but, I am just trying to understand the pros & cons of alternate low-energy ECO modules.

Again, any further thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Regards, John

**GSKILL TECH** · 05-13-2010, 12:59 PM

It is possible that they can operate with 1.50V. DDR3 modules have voltage regulators that assist with overvolting. Or, you can overclock these to DDR3-1800, and the additional frequency will be able to utilize the extra voltage. Too much voltage can damage the modules over time.

Yes, the minimum voltage is set by the motherboard manufacturer.

The pros are simply lower stress on the memory controller. This will allow for greater overclocks as there is less stress to begin with. With less stress, there is less heat. For the price, the ECO series also overclocks extremely well. Many people have the DDR3-1600's at DDR3-2000+.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

**Kill-A-Watt** · 05-14-2010, 01:29 AM

ECO Memory & AMD Mobo's

Let me see if I understand this – operating an ECO series DDR3 memory module @ 1.5V which is the minimum mobo voltage may over a period of time decrease its life-expectancy (heat), but no more if the modules had been over-clocked. Thus, the modules rated voltage of 1.35V can be exceeded without serious damage and still maintain the G.Skill life-time guarantee.

Thus ASUS M4A785-V EVO AM3 using quad-core Phenom II X4 905e (Deneb) @ 65W should accept ECO series memory modules with over-clocking and/or over-voltage as follows:
F3-10666CL9D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1333 (PC3 10666) CAS: 9-9-9-24 @ 1.35V
F3-10666CL8D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1333 (PC3 10666) CAS: 8-8-8-24 @ 1.35V
F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1333 (PC3 10666) CAS: 7-7-7-21 @ 1.35V

Also ASUS M4A79XTD AM3 using quad-core Phenom II X4 965BE (Deneb) @ 125W should accept ECO series memory modules with over-clocking and over-voltage as follows:
F3-12800CL9D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) CAS: 9-9-9-24 @ 1.35V
F3-12800CL9D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) CAS: 8-8-8-24 @ 1.35V
F3-12800CL9D-4GBECO: ECO series 4GB (2x2GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) CAS: 7-8-7-24 @ 1.35V

If you have any further suggestions I would appreciate them before I proceed to purchase the ECO series modules.

Lets see how well this experiment goes over the next few months. I will try to keep everybody informed of my progress against this original thread. Normally, I don’t do a lot of computer builds, but spend most of my time (on good days) writing software programs and domain specific languages (WinOS/Linux/RTOS) with a couple of AMD Opteron systems.

Regards, John

**GSKILL TECH** · 05-14-2010, 02:25 PM

Yes, the modules are rated for DDR3-1600 1.35V. So if you overclock them to DDR3-1800 with 1.50V, the additional frequency is using up the additional voltage to operate. Whereas if you still kept the memory frequency at DDR3-1600, it just has 0.15V extra of unnecessary power.

We support overclocking, but not wrecklessly. Setting memory to DDR3-2000 guessing 1.70V, hoping it will work, is not overclocking. It is just attempting to fry your memory. But if you work your way up and supply the proper voltage for each frequency, then it will not damage the modules.

Yes, the ECOs will be compatible, but just keep the voltage information in mind.

Have fun, feel free to post any questions or issues here.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

**Kill-A-Watt** · 05-17-2010, 03:14 AM

ECO Memory Overclocking & AMD Mobo's

Thanks for your most important comment about ‘Overclocking’ fundamentals.

The direct relationship between voltage increases and clocking frequency can inadvertently be overlooked when the mobo defaults to a voltage the is greater than the rated voltage of the memory module. The target overclocking must be directly proportional to memory voltage increment.

The ASUS M4A785-V EVO AM3 mobo using quad-core Phenom II X4 905e (Deneb) @ 65W will automatically set the minimum voltage of the ECO memory to 1.5V and require a corresponding clock cycle increase from 1333 (2x666MHz) to 1600 (2x800MHz). The percentage voltage change is (1.5 – 1.35 = 0.15V) apx 11% or 1.11 factor. Where as the target frequency change is (800 – 666 = 134MHz) apx 20% or 1.20 factor. Thus the target voltage should be set at apx 1.6V

Similarly, the ASUS M4A79XTD AM3 mobo using quad-core Phenom II X4 965BE (Deneb-C3) @ 125W will automatically set the minimum voltage of the ECO memory to 1.5V and require a corresponding clock cycle increase from 1600 (2x800MHz) to 1800 (2x900MHz). The percentage voltage change is (1.5 – 1.35 = 0.15V) apx 11% or 1.11 factor. Where as the target frequency change is (900 – 800 = 100MHz) apx 12% or 1.12 factor. Thus the target voltage should be left at the default of 1.5V

In the above example, I have used a target increment range of 10 – 20 percent. Greater factors may be used but may experience instability – experiment at your our risk! My plan of attack will be the more modest factors stated above.

Unfortunately, there are very few AMD mobo’s available that accept voltage settings below 1.5V, thus I am unable to build a reduced energy system that uses a single-core Sempron 140 (Sargas) @ 45W with 1.35V ECO memory target setting.

Your input has been greatly appreciated and I am more confident that these two system builds can now be achieved using ECO memory with AMD mobo’s.

Regards, John

**GSKILL TECH** · 05-19-2010, 12:22 PM

Great detailed information. Should help a lot of people better understand how to overclock. If you have time, please feel free to post your testing results. We can always use more good information provided by users.

Most AMD mobos are 1.50V; the standard for DDR3 is 1.50V. The new 1.35V were created for the P55/H55/H57/etc. platforms, which allow for low voltages. The overall power consumption difference between 1.35V and 1.50V is not much. I forget the exact testing results, but it was miniscule. The actual benefit is the lower memory voltage causing less stress/voltage on the memory controller. As a result, you just get better stability, lower power usage, and better overclocking ability if desired.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

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ECO Memory & AMD Mobo's

ECO Memory & AMD Mobo's

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