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OCZ Value RAM + Heatsinks


DKRendeR

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I have a case with pretty limited airflow (Shuttle) and I noticed my RAM was pretty **** hot. I have OCZ Performance PC3200 running at the full 400MHz. Are the heatsinks even helping or are they making things worse?

Edited by DKRendeR
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RAM shouldn't need heatsinks.

PC3200 running at stock speed shouldn't get hot. I have a generic DDR400 that's been running at 533 for a few months, and even with the 33% overclock they're only slightly warm.

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My memory isn't overclocked/volted in the slightest. I AM overclocking my Athlon XP Mobile from 1.8ghz, 1.45vcore 133fsb --> 2.0ghz 1.45vcore 200fsb. I don't know if that's making a difference or not.

But my RAM is hot. I read that if you can't keep your fingers on the RAM itself for more than 1 or 2 seconds that the temperature is somewhere around 60-70 degrees celsius. It feels like 60.

Should I take the ramsinks off?

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If you think that will solve the problem go ahead... I disclaim all responsibility.

Are you sure it's not overvolted? Look at the voltages in the BIOS setup. DDR should normally be at 2.5 volts.

I have the feeling that the RAM you have is being run at 3.3v...

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Basic thermodynamics tells us that air has a lower gradient for thermal transfer than aluminum, copper, or any other metal for that matter. How removing the only element keeping your memory from dying is going to help your situation is beyond me, but I strongly suggest you look elsewhere for the solution.

It's very possible that your motherboard's PLL(otherwise known as the clock generator) could be overclocking your memory in accordance with your FSB.

If this is the case, your processor, memory, FSB(and possibly your southbridge, along with any AGP and/or PCI cards) are generating more heat than they would usually. This is potentially fatal for a system in relatively cramped quarters. I would definitely recommend re-assessing your airflow constraints and alleviating them accordingly.

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My memory isn't overclocked/volted in the slightest. I AM overclocking my Athlon XP Mobile from 1.8ghz, 1.45vcore 133fsb --> 2.0ghz 1.45vcore 200fsb. I don't know if that's making a difference or not.

But my RAM is hot. I read that if you can't keep your fingers on the RAM itself for more than 1 or 2 seconds that the temperature is somewhere around 60-70 degrees celsius. It feels like 60.

Should I take the ramsinks off?

Nah, OCing the CPU alone wouldnt do that. I agree with LLXX, DDR400 running at stock speed and voltage should not get anywhere near that hot.

Does you BIOS have a hardware monitor section where is shows voltages and temps? If it does check it to verify 2.5v for the RAM. I would recommend comparing the voltages from BIOS to that of a windows program (sisoft sandra, speedfan etc.), just to be safe. A dying PSU can overvolt components and damage them, but Ive only ever seen that happen once.

Edit: Air circulation...do you atleast have one case fan in that system exhausting hot air out the back?

Edited by ssmokee
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Air circulation...do you atleast have one case fan in that system exhausting hot air out the back?

In a SFF case, exhaust fans aren't nearly as efficient in air circulation as intake fans. This is because an intake fan will be able to generate enough pressure to force the air to exhaust passively.

Most SFFs rely on passive intake, which IMO, simply doesn't suffice.

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I have Crucial ballistixs, and they get VERY warm due to their performace, i have two small ram flow fans over the dimm modules, helps a lot, and id never take off the heat pads!
'High "performace"' RAM shouldn't run any hotter than normal RAM, nor should they need to be fan-cooled. There has been reported many problems with the Ballistix series though...
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'High "performace"' RAM shouldn't run any hotter than normal RAM, nor should they need to be fan-cooled.

By "high performance" I think he meant they run at a high frequency, which, in addition to high voltages is the cause of heat production.

As far as not needing active cooling... every bit of airflow helps, especially when it comes to overclocking. It certainly doesn't hurt to have fewer dead spots where stagnant air can accumulate, one of which being near the ram. As long as you don't go deaf because of all the fans, I wouldn't advise against it.

However, the thread starter's DDR400 memory shouldn't be running at temps typically associated with DDR2 or even RDRAM, for that matter.

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'High "performace"' RAM shouldn't run any hotter than normal RAM, nor should they need to be fan-cooled. There has been reported many problems with the Ballistix series though...

i dont understand. the reason to get high performance ram is for overclocking it like crazy. bh-5 likes 3.2v and that stuff gets HOT. ram cooling is extremely important if you pump up the volts on it. i dont need it since im on stock voltage yet still overclocked to 260mhz for my ram. people even watercool their ram.

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