Introduction

Lately you haven’t seen many memory reviews coming from yours truly, but this is about to change! GeIL has sent in a whole package of their latest gamer RAM and this is the first part of the round-up. We’ll be taking a look at the GeIL Enhance Corsa and EVO Corsa-series, which have recently been introduced and are geared at gamers and overclockers. Let’s see if GeIL can hold up their claim, and put these DIMM’s on the testbed!

About Golden Emperor Intl. Ltd. (GeIL)

“Established in 1993, GeIL has soon become one of the most professional memory module manufactures in the industry. Since then GeIL has been concentrating in memory module design and manufacturing. As of today, our manufacturing facilities employ over 200 people and produce a wide variety of modules with distribution in over 50 countries worldwide. GeIL’s Global Headquarter resides in the heart of computer technology – Taipei with branches spreading over in Hong Kong, China and U.S.A.”

Timeline

• 1993 – GeIL established
• 1997 – GeIL began its module design and manufacturing with focus on advancement of IC sorting technology, producing high quality and performance memory module. GeIL soon became one of the most professional memory manufacturers in the world
• 1999 – Innovative design and manufacture memory modules that surpass the current industry standard.
• 2002 – Distribution in over 50 countries worldwide
• 2004 – Establishment of Consumer Electronics Department. ISO9001 Certified.
• 2005 – DAViD was officially launched
• 2006 – EVO II Semi-auto IC/Module Tester & EVO III Full-auto IC Tester were launched
• 2008 – DBT: Die-hard Burn-in Technology was launched

Today we’re looking at some DDR3 memory from Patriot. An offering from their Gamer series, the G2 enhanced latency kit is aimed towards gamers seeking the best performance at the best price. Let’s take a closer look and find out if it’s as good as they say it is.

Features and Specifications

•       Extreme Performance PC3-12800 (1600MHz)

•       Enhanced Latency (9-9-9-24)

•       Voltage: 1.65V

•       XMP Ready

•       Equipped with an extruded aluminum shield to provide improved cooling

•       100% Tested and Verified

•       RoHS Compliant

•       Tested on Intel® P67 platform

Introduction

The supply of RAM reviews continues! Today Kingston wants us to show off their high-end HyperX T1-series to the public. We are looking at the Kingston HyperX T1 DDR3-2133 CL9 2x2GB kit which fits a budget enthusiast role but hopefully delivers solid Kingston performance.

What does Kingston tell us about the HyperX-series?

“Now equipped with the next-generation heat sink, HyperX T1 memory kit is Kingston’s latest offering for the most exquisite overclocking memory product one could ask for. Featuring an all new heat sink construction, the HyperX T1 is capable of challenging the limits to deliver a new overclocking experience like never before.”

Specifications

• KHX2133C9AD3T1K2/4GX
• Size: 4GB(2GBx2)
• Rated speed: DDR3-2133, PC3-17066
• Latencies: CAS9-11-9-27
• Working Voltage: 1.65V
• Heat-spreader: HyperX T1 Aluminium
• Warranty: (Limited) Lifetime

Introduction

Lately we’ve been producing quite a few RAM reviews. Today it’s time for another kit, the Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1866 CL9 to take the challenge. Will it perform on a decent price-performance ratio? Should you buy it? Let’s find out!

What does Crucial tell us about the BallistiX-series?

"The Ballistix line is specifically built for performance enthusiasts who want to push the performance envelope without worrying about data loss or corruption, mysterious intermittent errors and display problems, or worse — the dreaded BSOD! The Ballistix line of high-performance memory modules features advanced speed grades, low latencies, and integrated aluminum heat spreaders."

Specifications

• DDR3 PC3-14900 (DDR3-1866)
• Timings: 9-9-9-24
• Voltage: 1.65V
• Buffered/ECC: Unbuffered / NON-ECC
• Modules: 256Meg x 64
• Warranty: (Limited) Lifetime Warranty

Introduction

Once again I present to you good sirs a memory review. This time I’m looking at a product from a Mach Xtreme Technology, a fresh brand offering a wide range of memory module products, including RAM, flash drives and SSDs. MX-Tech profiles itself with artistic designed products. Today we’re taking a look at their Armor-series RAM, rated at 2133MHz CL9. I’ll give it a quick comparison to a recent RAM review and of course the product will be rated for its price vs performance quality.

What does Mach Xtreme Tech. tell us about the Armor-series?

“Mach Xtreme Technology’s ARMOR™ DDR3 memory series is engineered to deliver performance for gaming and power users. ARMOR™ DDR3 series is devoted to users that want to get the most out of their gaming rigs.

ARMOR™ is based on a passive cooler that achieves excellent temperature reduction results. This particular design, a combination of pillar and fins, offers an outstanding cooling efficiency during overclocking. Low latencies coupled with an intelligent cooling solution will satisfy the needs of any power user. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and is backed by a full lifetime warranty and an excellent customer service.”

Besides the Armor-series there’s also the ArmorX-series which are rated even higher and have an extension on the passive cooler which should provide even better RAM cooling hence overclocking capability.

Specifications

• Size: 4GB(2GBx2)
• Rated speed: DDR3-2133, PC3-17066
• Latencies: CAS9-11-9-27
• Working Voltage: 1.65V
• Heat-spreader: Patented aluminum fin heat-sink
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Available in: 4GB(2GBx2) Dual Channel Package, DDR3-1600(CL8)/2000(CL8)/2133(CL9

Introduction

Crucial are a big name in the memory industry and in particular, their high performance Ballistix kits. The latest addition to this line of DDR3 performance Random Access Memory comes in the form of the BL2KIT25664FN1608 4GB kit rated at 1600MHz. However, Crucial has added temperature sensing capabilities to the DIMMs with an in-built sensor integrated into the SPD chip reporting information back to the Memory Overview Display (MOD) software.

Whilst CPUs are very much geared up to provide accurate temperature data, it’s rarely seen with memory kits. Crucial has seized upon this gap in the market with MOD offering a USP. Let’s check it out…

Specifications

• Module Size: 4GB Kit (2 x 2GB)
• Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
• Rated speed: DDR3-1600 @ 1.65v
• Latencies: 8-8-8-24

Introduction

There is a large market for memory modules. Ranging from standard value ones to high speed, low latency overclocking modules for extreme benchmarkers looking to break world records. Today I’ve gotten my hands on some overclocker oriented RAM, the GeIL Ultra Plus DDR3-2000 CL9. This kit should offer speeds that aren’t achievable by normal motherboards on  stock settings. Let’s see if GeIL can live up their promise for decent overclocking memory.

What does GeiL tell us about the Ultra Plus-series?

"GeIL announces the launch of the all new DDR3 Value PLUS & Ultra PLUS Series to be added to GeILs’ high performance memory line of products. The Value PLUS & Ultra PLUS are equipped with the latest PLUS Edition memory heat-spreader designed with heat-sink surface and extended height for maximum cooling efficiency. The Ultra PLUS line of memory will be carrying over-clocking performance while the Value PLUS line has the more stability-oriented specifications. As GeILs’ quality standard, both series will be enhanced with DBT – Die-hard Burn-in Technology for the highest quality assurance."

Both series come in double up to hexa (6-)channel, ranging from DDR3-1066 up to DDR3-2400 speeds. I’ll explain a bit more about GeIL’s DBT later on in the review.

Specifications

Size: 4GB(2GBx2)
Rated speed: DDR3-2000, PC3-16000
Latencies: CAS9-9-9-28
Working Voltage: 1.65V
Heat-spreader: PLUS Edition heat-sink system in Hyper Gunmetal finish
Technology: DBT Enhanced, Die-hard Burn-in Technology
Warranty: Lifetime
Available in: 2GB(1GBx2), 4GB(2GBx2), 8GB(4GBx2) Dual Channel Package

Introduction

There are many companies in the hardware world that focus on the gaming market. They cover their products in lightning, fire or grungey images in an attempt to appeal to the quick flash, short attention span, high energy gamers. However, this isn’t the only option for these firms, another avenue often ventured down is the enthusiast route. Mushkin tend to aim their products at this audience, and the kit we’re looking at today is no different. Part of the Blackline family these DIMMs are rated at 1600MHZ with some reasonably tight timings. Let’s check it out.

Specifications

Features

• Dual Channel Kit
  Engineered for dual-channel architecture.
• Enhanced Frequency
  This product has been programmed to operate at the ideal frequency for your system when properly installed.
• Enhanced Timings
  This product has been programmed for timings that offer improved performance when properly installed.
• Hand-Tested
  This product has been tested by hand for quality assurance.
• Lifetime Warranty
  Quality guaranteed – we offer a lifetime warranty on this product and genuine, unmatched service and support.
• Ridgeback Heatsink
  This product is equipped with the Ridgeback™ heatsink.

Introduction

The introduction of Intel’s i7 platform coincided largely with the release of DDR3 memory bringing with it the prospect of triple channel setups. As a result, many memory kits have been produced specifically for the X58 motherboard generally of the order of 6GB (3 x 2GB). Typically, 1066MHz or 1333MHz DRAM has been used by the average users with higher frequencies seemingly classed as more “enthusiast” memory.

However, with the price of DDR3 memory dropping, the lure of higher frequencies for use in combination with the i7 920 or other i7 CPUs is becoming a little greater. This is magnified by the ability to push the frequencies to 1866MHz or 2000MHz by simply changing the divider allowing for quick and easy overclocking which, when combined with a clock of 3.8-4.0GHz (easily achievable on the i7 920), gives a very significant performance boost.

Kingston’s HyperX range has often been considered as the company’s headline memory act with its distinctive, flashy heat spreaders. This particular kit, KHX1866C9D3T1K3/6GX, is made up of three 2GB sticks each running at a stock speed of 1866MHz with CL9 timings. Let’s take a closer look.

Kingston on the HyperX Kit

“Kingston’s KHX1866C9D3T1K3/6GX is a kit of three 256M x 64-bit 2GB (2048MB) DDR3-1866MHz CL9 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) memory modules, based on sixteen 128M x 8-bit DDR3 FBGA components per module. Each module kit supports Intel® XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles). Total kit capacity is 6GB. Each module kit has been tested to run at DDR3-1866MHz at a low latency timing of 9-9-9 at 1.65V. The SPDs are programmed to JEDEC standard latency DDR3-1333MHz timing of 9-9-9 at 1.5V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers and requires +1.5V.”

Features

• JEDEC standard 1.5V ± 0.075V Power Supply
• VDDQ = 1.5V ± 0.075V
• 667MHz fCK for 1333Mb/sec/pin
• 8 independent internal bank
• Programmable CAS Latency: 5,6,7,8,9,10
• Posted CAS
• Programmable Additive Latency: 0, CL – 2, or CL – 1 clock
• Programmable CAS Write Latency(CWL) = 7(DDR3-1333)
• 8-bit pre-fetch
• Burst Length: 8 (Interleave without any limit, sequential with starting address “000” only), 4 with tCCD = 4
• which does not allow seamless read or write [either on the fly using A12 or MRS]
• Bi-directional Differential Data Strobe
• Internal (self) calibration: Internal self calibration through ZQ pin (RZQ : 240 ohm ± 1%)
• On Die Termination using ODT pin
• Average Refresh Period 7.8us at lower then TCASE 85°C, 3.9us at 85°C < TCASE . 95°C
• Asynchronous Reset
• PCB : Height 2.401” (61.00mm) w/ heatsink, double sided component

Specifications

• CL(IDD): 9 cycles
• Row Cycle Time (tRCmin): 49.5ns (min.)
• Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFCmin): 110ns
• Row Active Time (tRASmin): 36ns (min.)
• Power: 1.800 W (operating per module)
• UL Rating: 94 V – 0
• Operating Temperature: 0o C to 85o C
• Storage Temperature: -55o C to +100o C

Introduction

Crucial have always been one of the more popular high-end memory manufacturers, with their Crucial Ballistix kits being an overclockers favourite. However, Crucial do another kit, known as the Ballistix Tracer sporting black heatspreaders and fancy LED lighting. Let’s see if they’re as good as we hope.

About Crucial

Crucial Technology is now Lexar Media, a division of Micron Europe Limited. Lexar Media boasts one of the most comprehensive offerings of memory product lines in the industry. We deliver high-quality, award-winning products in every memory category: USB flash drives, all popular form factors of memory cards and card readers, DRAM computer memory for PCs and Mac systems, and solid state drives (SSD). We back our products with outstanding customer support and industry-leading warranties, and we strive to expand our offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers — customers just like you.

Our Crucial brand reflects our status as the only consumer memory upgrade supplier that’s part of a major DRAM manufacturer. We sell high-quality memory that has been qualified and approved by most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Crucial.com website features innovative online tools and an intuitive design that makes it easy to find compatible memory and recommended upgrades. And because we carry over 35,000 upgrades for more than 250,000 systems, we’ve got options for nearly every system out there.

Features and Specifications

• Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
• Package: Ballistix Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs)
• Feature: DDR3 PC3-10600
• Specs: DDR3 PC3-10600 • 6-6-6-20 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64 •