Triple-Channel DDR3: 6GB Kit Roundup
Corsair And Crucial
Corsair DDR3-1866 CAS 9
The fancy heat spreaders of Corsair Dominator modules were originally developed to cope with high temperatures that normally accompany high-voltage overclocking, yet the firm now offers the same product line in a lower-voltage kit. The benefits of such extreme cooling at 1.65 V operation are questionable, but performance enthusiasts will certainly exploit even the tiniest benefit to reach their goals.
Hoping its part number TR3X6G1866C9DF, 6 GB DDR3-1866 triple-channel kit would automatically configure to at least DDR3-1600, we found a maximum SPD value of DDR3-1333 at standard voltage. Intel’s XMP extensions take over from there, allowing semi-automatic configuration at the kit’s rated DDR3-1866 speed and 9-9-9-24 timings, using a Core i7-friendly 1.65 V.
All Corsair memory products carry a limited lifetime warranty.
Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 CAS 8
We received Crucial’s Ballistix 6 GB DDR3-1600 triple-channel kit before the company had come up with any retail packaging, but its use of a white box had no bearing on the quality of the parts within. Part number BL3KIT25664BN1608 didn’t even have a name yet when Crucial shipped these parts as three separate BL25664BN1608 modules, and these are among the firm's first 2 GB DDR3 Ballistix products.
A subsidiary of memory fabricator Micron, we had to wonder what took Crucial so long to develop a product that its competitors had long been selling using the same Micron parts. Was the company simply waiting for Core i7 to push DDR3 to the forefront?
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An SPD automatic configuration max speed of 667 MHz (DDR3-1333) at stock voltage indicates that even Micron is probably using slower "overclockable" chips to reach higher speeds, and testing proved that the second XMP value of DDR3-1600 CAS 7 is unrealistic when the memory is in triple-channel mode. It was, however, able to exceed its rated 8-8-8-24 timings at DDR3-1600 and our tests will show how far it can really be pushed.
Crucial memory products carry a limited lifetime warranty.
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arkadi Grate article!Reply
What was always bothering me about ram reviews is how much memory speed/timing will really impact on system performance. I it is a lot of work I know, but it was never covered.
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neiroatopelcc From ArticleOf course, we needed a Core i7 processor, but not just any processor would do. While most reviewers are stuck with engineering samples that only support DDR2-800 and DDR2-1066 ratios (3x and 4x base clock, times two), our retail sample supports data rates all the way up to 2,133 MHz (8x base clock, times two).Reply
I could be wrong, but shouldn't it be ddr3 ? I'm not aware of i7 supporting ddr2? -
Crashman neiroatopelccI could be wrong, but shouldn't it be ddr3 ? I'm not aware of i7 supporting ddr2?Reply
Heheh, looks like it's been edited. -
azone I wounder if amd will do quad channel with its am3 motherboards or even dual 128 bit channels. that would be cool. Just something to beats intels triple 64bit channels.Reply -
Gian124 Anyone know the difference between the followingReply
Kingston HyperX T1 Series Kits:
KHX16000D3T1K3/6GX
KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX
What does the UL signify?... would it benchmark the same as the former (which was tested in this article)?
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'The current problem is one of voltage.'Reply
I loled at that.. maybe it's too early in the morning for me :D -
hexploit Interesting just how few people give a damn about DDR3 at this point.Reply
I guess many are a: Not wowed by i7 like they were core2 and b: Laugh and the prices of DDR3 at a time when DDR2 is not only still very fast relative to the software/games on the market but is dirt cheap. -
Crashman Gian124Anyone know the difference between the following Kingston HyperX T1 Series Kits:KHX16000D3T1K3/6GXKHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GXWhat does the UL signify?... would it benchmark the same as the former (which was tested in this article)?Reply
They may have changed the name.