1.35v vs. 1.5v memory, need a quick answer....

My laptop is the P180HM (desktop replacement basically), so Im not worried about power consumption. Grabbin some DDR3 1333mhz memory from Crucial. I have the choice of grabbing 1.35v or 1.5v memory. Is there any reason to choose one over the other? Performance or OCing differences? Or just power/heat savings only with the lower rated voltage ram? Need to order up within the hour so hoping for a quick answer.

thanks!

 

I would say it makes little to no difference both battery and heat wise.

RAM is nothing but a miniscule aspect of your computer and the least of your worries.
The screen is still the largest power sucker out of all the hardware in your laptop anyway.

Take whichever is the cheapest.

 

There's not much difference. If anything the higher voltages will let you OC the modules a little faster, but even then your OCing efforts are best spent on the GPU and CPU.

Usually the screen is the biggest drain but with laptops this big the GPU and CPU start to really bog down your battery life.

 

Depending on the physical design and install location, of course it will make a difference in heat buildup.

I would take the 1.35V option, even for a slight price premium.

Anything that keeps the system running cooler is worth it in the long run, imo.

And with today's current cpu's that adjust Turbo automatically based on temps... you are basically getting (potential) 'free' performance (via higher Turbo 'bins').

 

does the 1.35v memory cost more? I assume it will cost like double. and if that's the case, i wouldn't buy them because you save a little on energy (so its a more eco friendly choice) but the difference is miniscule.

I'd also check your mobo compatibility with 1.35v sodimm.

 

Laptop screen as the biggest drain? o.0 Maybe back in the day but I know my screen uses roughly 5-15 watts of power on max brightness. Led screens are much more power friendly and it's the processors/graphics cards that really draw power.

 

It really doesn't make much of a difference. If the 1.35v RAM is cheap, go for it but if it costs significantly more than the 1.5v RAM then I would say to just skip it and get the 1.5v.

 

LED screens are more efficient than CCFL screens, but mostly in terms of longevity.
The power requirements for LED's are smaller and it's contributing sure, but not in tremendous amounts.

Furthermore, CPU's and GPU's are continuously optimized to use less power, and while I will agree that those 2 certainly are among the biggest power consumption based hardware, the screens remain by far the largest power sucker unfortunately.

That, and the fact that batteries have been stagnating for next to 2 decades now.

 

For P180HM, I'd say it doesn't matter. For a netbook, take the 1.35V, and a single stick at that for best battery life.