EVGA, NVIDIA Warn High Performance Memory Users

Nvidia Corp. and EVGA have issued a statement under which the firms claim that using high-speed memory modules, which were released to support Nvidia nForce 680i SLI core-logic’s high-speed DDR2 memory controller, with their regular voltage settings can cause memory chips malfunction.

The company noted that failure is caused not by the nForce 680i SLI core-logic, but by tremendously increased voltage for memory modules, which cause DRAMs malfunction at any mainboard running any chipset that can handle the clock-speeds of the high-speed DIMMs.

X-bit labs - EVGA, Nvidia Say 2.4V Voltage for DDR2 is Deadly

NVIDIA has investigated end user reports of high performance DIMM failures on the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI-based platforms. During this process we have been in close contact with DIMM manufacturers and the DRAM manufacturers they rely on to understand the failure scenario. By working with our community, we believe that the observed failure is a breakdown of the silicon in the DRAM caused by the prolonged application of 2.4V on the voltage rails of the DIMMs.

NVIDIA’s own internal testing has observed this failure on multiple motherboards using different chipsets (both NVIDIA and non-NVIDIA chipsets). This issue is not directly related to motherboards using the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP or other chipsets.

If you are using this type of memory and are experiencing this issue, NVIDIA recommends contacting your memory manufacturer or system manufacturer for additional information and warranty information.

EVGA - Important message regarding memory and the EVGA 680i motherboard