Quote Originally Posted by danielkza View Post
"Intel states 1.52v. There's a big discussion on whether this is safe. It sure sounds like A LOT. I wouldnt go over 80c."

This is false: Intel doesn't state the safe voltage at all. 1.52V is just the maximum voltage the new VID encoding can represent. An explanation follows below if you care.

VID is encoded in a byte, whose 8 bits can represent 2^8 = 256 different values. One value (all bits unset) is reserved for a null or invalid voltage. The first of the 255 remaining values decodes to 0.25V. The next 254 5mV increments sum up to an extra 254 * 5 = 1.27V. Therefore, the range of representable (not deemed safe or qualified by Intel in another way) values is 0.25 - 1.52V.
Quote Originally Posted by SBB View Post
Judging by what i've seen temps wise i'd probably say up to 1.4v is safe for 24/7 ... for a quick bench/overclocking test anything goes really as long as you accept the risks and the temps are under 80-85 ish max ...
This is all over:

Sandybridge maximum safe voltages

Core Voltage - Not recommended too exceed 1.38v, doing so could kill the CPU, we therefor recommend a range of 1.325-1.350v if overclocking.
Memory Voltage - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means upto 1.58v is the safe recommended limit. In our testing we have found 1.65v has caused no issues.
BCLK Base Clock - This is strictly a NO, anyone using base clock overclocking could/will cause damange to CPU/Mainboard. (Set manually to 100)
PLL Voltage - Do not exceed 1.9v!!



Processor - Basically we recommend customers not to exceed 1.35v to play it safe, all our bundles are set at 1.3250v or lower, any competitors offering bundles above 4.6GHz you should be enquiring as to what voltage they are using as we believe anything over 1.38v will limit CPU lifespan and anything over 1.42v will likely kill the CPU or severely limit its lifespan.

Memory - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means 1.60v is the ideal safe maximum, but we have found in our testing all 1.65v memory is fine. We have also found most new 1.65v like Corsair XMS3 will run at its rated timings with just 1.50-1.55v which is well within Intel specifications. So people upgrading to Sandybridge you can still use your old DDR3, but we do recommend you run it at 1.60v or less. We are shipping most of our bundles which feature Corsair XMS at 1.50v-1.55v at rated timings. We've also discussed with Asus and MSI regarding voltages for memory and they also confirm in their testing 1.65v caused no issues with reliability.

Base Clock - To put it simple if you value the life of your components, do not overclock using base clock!

PLL Voltage - Again do not exceed 1.9v!

Don't know where it comes from or how official it might be...