Super Talent And Wintec Industries
Super Talent DDR3-1333 CAS 8
When we invited companies to participate in today’s high-end memory comparison, we specifically stated that this would be an overclocking competition focusing on speed and capacity, and that price would not be a major consideration in our final assessment. Much of our publishing calendar was already devoted to value memory and a high-end comparison was long overdue. Nevertheless, these modules are only rated for DDR3-1333.
At least the capacity is right. Part number WA133UX6G8 contains three 2.0 GB modules rated at CAS 8-8-8-24 timings. These timings would be good for a DDR3-1600 kit, but CAS 8 is slower at 667 MHz (DDR3-1333) than it is at 800 MHz (DDR3-1600). CAS latency is rated in cycles and faster memory has a shorter cycle time.
The highlight of this slower memory is that it automatically configures to DDR3-1333 at 1.50 V, requiring only the timings and voltage to be manually set in BIOS to reach rated performance levels. Super Talent took these parts a step further by adding a DDR3-1500 SPD configuration value. Perhaps the firm felt it could pull a value coup at the high-end with highly-overclockable parts? Our tests will determine the success of this tactic.
Super Talent backs its memory products with a limited lifetime warranty.
Wintec AMP-X DDR3-1600 CAS 8
Wintec uses its AMP-X line to beat better-known brands in high-end value, and its part number 3AHX1600C8WS6GTK, 6 GB triple-channel kit boasts high-end 8-8-8-24 rated timings for its DDR3-1600 rated speed. The company apparently realizes that extreme cooling isn’t needed at 1.65 V, and ordinary clip-on covers are the first sign of a product's function-before-form focus.
A maximum SPD automatic configuration value of 667 MHz (DDR3-1333) at CAS 9 hints that the modules are probably using highly-overclockable slower chips, but the moderate 1.65 V overclock rating still falls within Intel’s recommended limit. An XMP profile for DDR3-1600 CAS 8-8-8-24 at 1.65 V allows owners of XMP-capable motherboards to quickly set the kit to its rated overclock level in BIOS, while everyone else must fuss over individual settings to reach rated performance levels.
Wintec branded memory modules include a limited lifetime warranty.
