- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
For most brands it's just for show. DDR doesn't usually run hot enough to warrant it.
However, BH-5 RAM, like OCZ VX and some other top-end performance RAM, requires upwards of 3.3v to overclock and retain low latencies at higher clockspeeds [stock for DDR is 2.6v]. That's why people like the DFI LANParty mobo - it has the option of supplying high voltages to BH-5 and other voltage hungry RAM modules. So, when all of that extra voltage is supplied to BH-5, it heats up - a lot. Most BH-5, when overclocked, needs a heatspreader, or else it will become unstable.
If you want an in-depth article on RAM cooling, timings, overclocking, ECC/buffered, etc., go here.
If you want to see which RAM is BH-5, TCCD [Samsung's premier IC's, they also overclock fairly well], you can go here, but you should know what BH-5 and the others are before going there. Otherwise you'll have no idea of what you're looking at/for.
[Edited on 12/9/2005]