OCZ And Patriot Memory
OCZ Intel Extreme DDR3-1600 CAS 8
OCZ’s recent release of DDR3-2000 memory didn’t make it in time for today’s comparison, but the company was able to provide DDR3-1600 with CAS 8-rated timings.
Perforated heat spreaders allow air to circulate over a much wider area, which should help keep this part number OCZ3X1600LV6GK, 6 GB triple-channel kit cool. Then again, the 1.65 V theoretical limit for Intel Core i7 processors doesn’t really create much heat.
A maximum speed for automatic configuration of 610 MHz (DDR3-1220) is among the lowest we’ve seen for DDR3-1600-rated parts, but the modules come with slightly better-than-average CAS 8 automatic timings. An XMP profile for DDR3-1600 CAS 8-8-8-24 at 1.65 V represents the true rating of the kit, but users without XMP-capable motherboards must instead enter all settings manually through BIOS.
OCZ provides a limited lifetime warranty with all memory products.
Patriot Viper DDR3-1600 CAS 8
The "LLK" at the end of Patriot’s part number PVT36G1600LLK accompanies all of its "low-latency kits" and refers to the 8-8-8-24 timings of this 6 GB triple-channel configuration. These good timings won’t break any records, but Patriot could probably win an award for the prettiest heat spreaders. The long cooling fins probably aren’t needed at the rated 1.65 V.
Patriot Memory, like its competitor OCZ, uses fairly low-speed SPD values for automatic configuration and instead enhances the performance at stock speed using lower latency. Overclocking is required to reach the kit’s rated 8-8-8-24 timings at DDR3-1600 and 1.65 V, but an XMP profile makes setup a little easier for owners of XMP-capable motherboards.
Patriot memory products carry a limited lifetime warranty.
