RAM Heatsinks...are they necessary if overclocking RAM?

[GuruMeditationError]

I need to remove the proprietary heatsinks from my RAM for CPU cooler clearance...

...should I replace the heatsinks I'm removing with RAM chip heatsinks?

My RAM's got an XMP profile of 2666MHz, it's DDR3. I'm using the overclocking utility in Asus' BIOS to overclock them; it's telling me I'm getting a 70% increase in RAM speed...

...do I need to add RAM chip heatsinks?    

[Haro]

i mean, that's a heavy overclock on these dram chips, and assuming you needed high voltages to get these, the heatsinks will probably help a lot.

[GuruMeditationError]

7 minutes ago, TofuHaroto said:

i mean, that's a heavy overclock on these dram chips, and assuming you needed high voltages to get these, the heatsinks will probably help a lot.

Thanks, for responding, it's most appreciated...

...I was kind of looking for a definitive answer, because there are so many mixed opinions on it; are you sure it would need it?

I'm about to purchase some RAM heatsinks but I'm concerned I might be wasting money.

[thedangerine]

It couldn't hurt, my guess it depends on how much voltage is being pushed through those chips and how much airflow is naturally going over them. If you could do some temperature tests without the heatsinks and the temps aren't outrageous you are probably fine

 

[Guest]

No there is misconception that heat sinks help.

 

But the thermal pads dont transfer heat well.

 

I remove heat sinks from ram personally, but I'm into competitive benchmarking so I can apply cooling when not using heat sinks.

 

Best thing to do is put a fan right on the memory modules. 

[GuruMeditationError]

Just now, thedangerine said:

It couldn't hurt, my guess it depends on how much voltage is being pushed through those chips and how much airflow is naturally going over them. If you could do some temperature tests without the heatsinks and the temps aren't outrageous you are probably fine

 

Thanks so much for responding, it's very appreciated...

...that sounds like a good idea. There should be pretty good airflow.

 

1 minute ago, ShrimpBrime said:

No there is misconception that heat sinks help.

 

But the thermal pads dont transfer heat well.

 

I remove heat sinks from ram personally, but I'm into competitive benchmarking so I can apply cooling when not using heat sinks.

 

Best thing to do is put a fan right on the memory modules. 

Thanks so much for responding, it's very appreciated...

 

...they'll be obscured by a large heatsink but I think I should be able to get a small fan to draw air up between them. 

[Kilrah]

10 minutes ago, GuruMeditationError said:

are you sure it would need it?

Only way to know is to check RAM temps.

[Haro]

10 minutes ago, GuruMeditationError said:

are you sure it would need it?

Unless you're going to point some fans on them which in that case you could remove them. But if you wont, the heatsink will help. 

[GuruMeditationError]

2 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Only way to know is to check RAM temps.

Is that possible? I didn't think RAM had temperature sensors?

Just now, TofuHaroto said:

Unless you're going to point some fans on them which in that case you could remove them. But if you wont, the heatsink will help. 

Thanks so much, I think I'll play it safe and get some heatsinks for them. 

[Haro]

Just now, GuruMeditationError said:

Thanks so much, I think I'll play it safe and get some heatsinks for them.

I mean yea as I said if you're going to be pointing some fans on them the heatsinks won't be necessary. Otherwis they'll help. 

[Kilrah]

1 minute ago, GuruMeditationError said:

Is that possible?

Thermometer...

[GuruMeditationError]

1 minute ago, TofuHaroto said:

I mean yea as I said if you're going to be pointing some fans on them the heatsinks won't be necessary. Otherwis they'll help. 

They're going to be obscured by a dual-tower heatsink, but I'll probably be able to put a small fan at the top of the sticks to draw air up...that's as close as I'll actually get to getting a fan on them...?...so I'm thinking it might be best to use heatsinks.

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

Thermometer...

lol...  I had not thought of that. 

[Haro]

2 minutes ago, GuruMeditationError said:

so I'm thinking it might be best to use heatsinks.

Yea if you can get like a small fan for them. That'll be more than enough. 

[GuruMeditationError]

Just now, TofuHaroto said:

Yea if you can get like a small fan for them. That'll be more than enough. 

I can do that; I've got a 60mm Nanoxia that I can place on top of the sticks to either blow air down across them, or suck air up through the middle of the two sticks...

...I think blowing air down would probably be best, although it will go against the direction of the airflow through the case. 

[Haro]

2 minutes ago, GuruMeditationError said:

think blowing air down would probably be best, although it will go against the direction of the airflow through the case. 

Yea just any direct airflow to the dram chips will be more than enough. 

[GuruMeditationError]

9 minutes ago, TofuHaroto said:

Yea just any direct airflow to the dram chips will be more than enough. 

Thanks so much for the input; it's saved me quite a lot of cash, not to mention the time and trouble; very appreciated.