The memory voltage of 1.45 V surpasses the recommended upper limit for Intel's Raptor Lake CPU.
The memory voltage of 1.45 V surpasses the recommended upper limit for Intel's Raptor Lake CPU.
Imc issues might appear after >1.7v but the changes are minimal. You're spending too much on high-end 3600 cl16 chips; opt for cheaper 3600 cl18 models since they don't significantly affect performance or latency (no noticeable drop). Check options under $180.
There are many various cl16 3600mhz kits available. They put extra strain on the memory controller, and these units often struggle to run at their intended speeds. The added voltage comes from the RGB components.
Technically, the voltage is higher than what Intel considers safe, but it remains perfectly safe for extended use. Both Intel and AMD agree on this point (swapping the CPU and board for a 5950X with a B550 would trigger the same alert), which means memory makers wouldn’t produce such kits if they weren’t already unsafe. In practice, the actual voltage reaching the CPU is around 1.65V—common overclockers often push beyond 2 volts for testing without harming components, though this depends heavily on the memory type. I think it doesn’t make much sense to purchase this kit first. There are better options available that support tRCD settings and offer more stable timing (like 19 vs 3600), and they’re more affordable than DDR4. For DDR5, spending a bit more on a compatible board would be worthwhile.
In which nation this applies? NewEgg costs and overall stock levels differ across countries.
You're also investing in DDR5 right now, and it's going to be quicker. It adds about 3% more cost for a system using the latest tech, but the performance gain makes it worthwhile. DDR4 only really fits if you're targeting budget builds (like 3200MT/s CL16). Once you move to slightly faster options, you're likely in the same price band as DDR5, so it's smart to opt for the quicker speed.