jmke

Numerous articles and forum posts have been popping up recently about the potential of high VDimm settings damaging or destroying the upcoming i7 processor series. Will high VDimm cause damage? The answer to that question is not so simple actually. Unfortunately, due to the current NDA status, we cannot go into detail about this subject matter but can provide a general brief on it.

Our answer at this time is Yes and No. It sounds like we are straddling the fence but in actuality the correct answer depends on the available BIOS options, BIOS settings, memory selection, and final voltage settings. Intel’s stance is clear on this subject, run VDimm higher than their 1.50V~1.65V guidelines and you will affect the life span of the processor.

Exactly what the impact to the processor will be is dependent upon several factors. Put simply, if you go crazy with VDimm, let’s say around 2.0V~2.2V without additional tuning, then expect to greatly reduce the processor lifespan to a few weeks or maybe days. We have already witnessed several CPUs being damaged or destroyed at the motherboard partners with high VDimm settings, especially those that ran at 2.0V or higher with base settings. By base settings, we mean configuring an i7/X58 platform in the same manner a typical user now sets up a Penryn/X48 DDR3 platform. The rules have changed completely for Intel, just we cannot discuss the playbook at this time (hey, it is frustrating for us also).

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3426

__________________

tgarland

see the nehalem diagram for the Core i7 and see the IMC where the DDR3 memory plugs into the CPU. the vdimm should now be pegged to the vcore and NOT independently set.

blog search google for +vdimm +i7 to get diagram

from Anandtech's article - Intel recommends setting the vDimm at a conservative 1.50 to 1.65V

BIOS and mobo manufacturers may have an update which pegs the vdimm to vcore when a nehalem class chip is detected