Comments on: Core i7 motherboard sticker threatens overclockers

Motherboard vendors advising users to hold back on overclocking memory on Nehalem-supporting motherboards.

[thE_iyE]

I wouldn't say it has killed us, but it is unfortunate. I most likely won't buy this board since it is the first of its generation, so if they get cheaper and get more stable, I'll go with it, but I'm sure the i7 (iI ihope iIntel ihasn't igot ithe iidea iof iusing ithe i iin ifront itoo) is a hopefull, maybe it will bring core2 Extremes down?

[mmntech]

It's not saying you can't overclock the memory, just not to up the voltage. Upping the voltage and overclocking are not one in the same. Higher voltages can allow RAM to sustain higher clock speeds while maintaining stability. Raising the voltage itself won't affect performance, thus saying that raising memory voltage is the same as overclocking CPU frequency is incorrect. I've managed to push no-name RAM up quite far on stock voltage. Pushing voltages up too high can cause permanent damage. Every overclocker knows that.

That said, this is odd since memory and CPU voltages are usually managed by separate controllers. If it's that big of an issue, then the RAM voltage settings should be locked in the BIOS to prevent noobs from messing with it.

[JACK4888]

Do any other MB vendors warn of Over voltage of memory??? I have found a bunch of MSI model boards for i7 core but didn't think that this warning message is attached on production boards.

[lensPirate]

Very old news. The voltage limitation for memory on the X58/I7 Mother boards is well known. Memory makers have been making memory parts that run fine at high clock speeds at or below this voltage limits since the introduction of this product!

There is absolutely no issue with overclocking memory and staying under the voltage limit. I can't help but wonder if the author of this article even understands the difference between voltage and clock speed.... it sure reads like he does not.