Just two months ago we saw the first successful attempts to reach 2000 Mhz. In that case, it was single channel. Fast forward to the present day and we already have in stores 2 Gb memory kits that do that while maintaining dual channel operation.

Micron Z9 chips have definetely inherited the crown that was rightly given to it's DDR2 predecessor. If Samsung is unable to deliver TCCD-class chips, this will be the second time in a row that Micron gets the upper hand, and we all know that lack of competition isn't a good thing. Right now, the only DRAM manufacturer that's giving them some sweat is Elpida, but they aren't getting so close as Samsung did in it's day. The first consequence is high prices: $648 for the kit Anandtech has tested. Usually, as DDR3 becomes mainstream, this price should go down... but then, there's the law of demand and supply. That's not to say it will stay at those levels, it won't, but maybe it will take longer for prices to drop and it will stop dropping earlier.

More news from Computex. Team Group, that we recently reported to be using Thermalright heatspreaders, is using them again, this time to cool DDR3.

It's not clear if the new Team Xtreme TXD3102-4M2000HC9 is a 1GB DDR3 module (rated at 2000MHz) or a 2GB memory kit they managed to qualify up to 2100MHz on the ASUS P5K3-Deluxe. You can go check Anandtech words to solve the riddle. In any case, the modules feature 9-9-9-20 timings at 1.90V~2.1V (DDR3 memory voltage is 1.5V).

Last month the 2000Mhz mark was reached, and we are already seeing products rated at that speed. Micron's new 8x128 ICs surely seem to be living up to the expectations raised by it's DDR2 predecessor (Micron D9 chips). The only difference is that DDR3 is still in it's infancy while DDR2 needed some time to get there. What else will follow?

The heat-spreader competition among memory manufacturers really began with Corsair's original DHX for their Dominator series. Not long after that, OCZ Technology released their Flex XLC and Reaper memory modules. Other companies have relied on old fashioned desings (A-Data, Kingston...) but, in the end, to be at the top of the performance curve, you need something better. Different high-speed memory kits for overclockers have become very similar to one another, because all of them use the same Micron chips. The only thing you can actually do to obtain the last hundred megahertz is upping the voltage; and you won't want to do that unless you pair your memory with really effective cooling desings.

Team Group also wants a piece of this cake, and they should. Being one of the bigger Micron D9 buyers, it was high time they did something better than to sell them with paltry aluminium "stickers". They had the chips, they had the PCB, now they needed the looks, the marketing and the edge.

If you read the list of common features for Team Xtreem memory kits, you will notice they offer a lifetime warranty even with a nominal voltage between 2.35 and 2.45V. And all that thanks to the cooling system: the Thermalright HR-07. Instead of developing their own heat-spreader, Team Group Inc. sought help by a third-party cooler designer.

Xbitlabs has tested a couple of memory kits from them, only to confirm that, no matter what the features list says, if you have D9 chips, and give them the same amount of power, they will perform the same.

There seems to be no stopping OCZ Technology. With the recent purchase of legendary power supply maker, PC Power and Cooling, OCZ must be giving the competition nightmares. Their memory is already our number one choice at MaXit - it runs rings round anything from Corsair. The PC2-9200 Reaper DDR2 is their answer for enthusiasts who do not wish to watercool their systems but still want the very best in module performance. The radically air cooled Reaper HPC edition memory runs at PC2-9200 or 1150MHz DDR. In fact Tweaktown took it all the way up to 1182MHz in their test rig. It certainly looks the business.

 

On June 5th, Kingston will announce KHX11000D3llK2/2G. A two gigabyte dual channel memory kit that runs at 1375 With 7-7-7 timings. Anandtech has something to say:

"If these numbers still seem high to you, you need to back up a bit for a larger perspective. While lower speed DDR2 can have latencies as fast as 3, DDR3 starts at 800 and the boards we have seen only allow CAS latencies as low as 5. [...] Keep in mind that the actual latency in nanoseconds is what really matters, so while the number of memory cycles from DDR2-533 CL3 through DD2-667 CL4, DDR2/3-800 CL5, DDR3-1067 CL7, and DDR3-1333 CL9 increases, the actual latency in ns only ranges from 11.25ns (DDR2-533 CL3) to a maximum of 13.5ns (DDR3-1333 CL9). While CL7 may sound like a high latency, achieving that with 1333 MHz memory is actually results in a time latency of 10.5ns, and of course that's with much higher bandwidth than some of the other memory speeds."

While most computer enthusiasts might think of other companies when it comes to high-end memory, being number one means you can be first to market with new technology.

It sure is some serious RAM, but far away from what people is reaching with Micron chips, and at $518 I would think twice about buying one. You better keep that money in your wallet a little bit longer. Unlike it was in the launch of DDR2, lower latency DDR3 hasn't waited months to appear and it has much room to improve yet.

But if you just can't wait, know that you can make those DIMMs work at 7-7-7 up to 1500 speed with a modest voltage increase.

High end processors demand some high end components to really fly. There's no point forking out a small fortune on the latest Intel or AMD monster processor and hooking it up with some average DDR2 memory. What you need is some real high speed modules to balance your system and reduce any potential bottleneck between the processor and data. Enter A-DATA's brand new 1200+ line of extreme edition DDR2. We think
they are a cracking choice for Core 2 Duo overclocking.

In order to cope with the introduction of high-end processors such as Core 2 Extreme QX6850 and Athlon 64 FX-62, and to meet the basic appeal of matching FSB, HT (Hypertransport) with the Memory Bus, A-DATA Technology has successfully achieved the next stage of DDR2 1066, and has introduced the amazing DDR2 1200+, enabling the Extreme Edition series to achieve unprecedented high efficiency.

When clock frequency has been upgraded to the DDR2 1200, the bandwidth has also been enhanced to 9.6GB/Sec. Compared with the current mainstream DDR2 800, there is 50% growth (6.4GB/Sec vs 8.5GB.Sec). A-DATA insists on quality, its DDR2 1200+ memory module product adopts 64 x 8 original BGA chips. The highest capacity is 1GB, thus generating a new capacity level for the operation platform

Yesterday we saw this psychological line crossed. And that was yesterday, because today (23 May 2007) the bar has been raised even higher: 2200 Mhz!

You can go to CPUZ Validator Database and see it with your own eyes. If you do, take the opportunity to check that it has not been broken again.

With the aid of a Gigabyte P35 board and some Micron DDR3 here is the main data:

RAM Freq : 1100 MHz
RAM Type : DDR3-SDRAM Single Channel
RAM Ratio : 1:2
RAM Timings : 10-10-10-24

Yes, timings suck, and they give no clue as to what voltages were fed into the system. Nevertheless, the Gigabyte P35-DQ6 is looking really good, and some memory that can go from a rated 1066 to 2200 is nothing to snuff at. When will all that firepower get into our hands?

This one flew under the radar:

"Fountain Valley, CA -- (May 15, 2007) -- Kingston^® Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is first to market with production volume of its ultra low-latency DDR2 800MHz HyperX memory modules. Available immediately, the new modules are the fastest performing memory available that provide speed and performance -- without the need for overclocking.

"In lowering the latency even more, going to 3-3-3 with our new HyperX ultra low latency 800MHz DDR2 modules, Kingston is offering both gaming and tech enthusiasts the flexibility to drive performance and benchmarking scores to the limit," said Mark Tekunoff, senior technology manager, Kingston. "Gamers and reviewers have been waiting for memory vendors to achieve the 'holy grail' of 800MHz 3-3-3-- and they wait no more."

Kingston Ultra Low Latency HyperX DDR2 800MHz DIMM Features:

• PC2-6400 800MHz settings
• CL3-3-3-10 @ 2.3-2.35V
• 240-pin Unbuffered DDR Modules
• Voltage: 2.3-2.35V"

The suggested street price for the 2 Gb kit is 255 USD. More information about model pricing can be found at kingston.

 

With DDR3 just around the corner it's a good time to look into the current state of DDR2.

As with any new technology we already know prices will be in the stratosphere; and that some quirks will be present. Is it wise to make the transition, then, or can you still consider a DDR2 based system for your new computer? Prices on current memory modules have gone down to a very reasonable level. At the same time, frequencies have gone up to 1250 Mhz. Overclocking beyond will take something better than Micron's D9 chips. It's not clear when such chips will arise, so you have all the spectrum for the current memory standar at your disposal. Considering that initial speeds for DDR3 won't be much higher, not enough to offset latencies, the choice is obvious if you're buying before summer. In any case, it's more a question of deciding what DDR2 to purchase.

After reading xbit's article on PC2-9200 and PC2-10000 SDRAM, you'll be able to make an informed buy.

We were recently impressed with a look at at 2 in 1 flash memory card from OCZ Technology. Being able to plug straight into a USB port is a really handy feature. A-Data have upped the stakes with their new microSD Trio range of flash memory cards. Offering the convenience of USB, SD and microSD in one package, it's a one stop solution for music, photos, videos and mobile phone files. In fact it is one of the first solutions we have seen to offer triple 3 way action. So if you've been thinking that 3 in 1 fun only happens on dubious porn sets, strap yourself down as we probe the MicroSD Trio. Tissues are optional.