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DDR3 is hardly a new technology, having been available since 2007 now. While many of you are no doubt familiar with the technology, we will still quickly skim over a few of the basics. DDR3 is not only designed to be faster than DDR2, but it also uses considerably less power as well, around 30% less power.  Whereas DDR2 memory modules require 1.8v, the newer DDR3 memory modules are designed to work at just 1.5v, allowing them to work at greater frequencies while still saving power and generating less heat. The voltage specification was quickly exceeded, with many DDR3 memory modules receiving rating of 1.65v and higher.   Today 1.65v is considered the norm, though we expect that this trend will start to fade and the new G.Skill ECO series is the first evidence of this. With a voltage rating of 1.35v they are 18% more efficient than the majority of DDR3 memory modules.  The G.Skill ECO Series PC3-12800 CL7 (4GB) memory is designed to work at CAS7-8-7-24-2N timings, which are extremely aggressive timings for DDR3 memory operating at 1600MHz regardless of voltage. As far as we are aware there are no other DDR3-1600 memory that can operate below 1.5v, while there are only a small handful of kits that can handle CAS7 timings at 1600MHz.  DDR3 memory modules feature 240-pins, the same number as DDR2, though they are in no way compatible. DDR3 modules have a different key notch location, making it impossible to install DDR2 modules in DIMM slots designed for DDR3 memory. The new Intel Lynnfield processors exclusively support DDR3 memory and therefore it will not be possible to use DDR2 memory with these processors.   The G. Skill ECO Series PC3-12800 CL7 (4GB) memory kits are available only in 4GB capacities at either 1333MHz or 1600MHz. The modules use a 6-layer PCB design that feature eight memory chips on each side. These memory chips are cooled via typical heatspreaders that are color coded gray and feature small ventilation holes at the top. Finally G.Skill claims to be backing these memory modules with a lifetime warranty. |
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jed |
Posted on: 02/24/2010 03:28 AM
So what's the consensus on these, are they decent OC'rs for 2x 2GB PC3-12800 parts? Also if you under-clock them below stock, can you get tighter timings, & can they run on slightly less voltage? I mostly want to run at stock or under-clock w/tighter timings.... But on the rare occasion that I game, a decent OC (not hard-core) would be nice too! Not sure I'd have quite as much luck as others with a GA-H57M-USB3 though 
I believe the memory controller on the Clarkdale's (I'm getting Core i3-530) reverts back to the Core micro-architecture.
And of course a lot depends on the board and it's BIOS....
Any thoughts/advice on this RAM greatly appreciated!
Thank-you. |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 02/24/2010 06:31 AM
In the review we pushed them to 1800MHz and if we lowered the frequency we could use CAS6-6-6-15 timings... |
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jed |
Posted on: 02/24/2010 02:24 PM
Is 1800Mhz pretty good for ddr3-1600 RAM? I love the fact you can lower frequency a little and get tighter timings. That's what I'll want to do most of the time, as it's a HEPC build. I guess as with everything MMMV depending on quality of sticks I get, and compatibility w/mobo. |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 02/24/2010 11:27 PM
1800MHz is good but of course there are more expensive modules that will go higher. That said if you are going to timings then frequency is not important, especially if you are not doing really serious overclocking. Also if you are using an Intel platform then timings make very little difference. |
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jed |
Posted on: 02/25/2010 04:43 AM
"Also if you are using an Intel platform then timings make very little difference." That's only on the newer (nehalem) micro-architecture though right? Carkdale's memory controller is actually much more like "Core", unlike Lynnfield etc. |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 02/25/2010 09:11 PM
No this statement is true for all Intel Core processors... http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/ddr2_memory_latency_performance,1.html Timings will help but not as much as you would like them to. |
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jed |
Posted on: 02/26/2010 04:43 AM
Hmm I guess they're advantage over the other G.Skill DDR3-1600 performance class sticks is... 1) You can get moderate OC's on substantially less voltage. 2) You can under-clock to the same cut-off-point as the other sticks, but do so using less voltage all the way down, & with equally good timings? I'm not expecting them to OC as well as the PI, TD, or RJ (what the heck's the difference between those three anyway, why so many?), but it'd be nice if they still OC'd decently. More importantly for me .... Can they run at lower voltages/timings at stock or when under-clocked, than the other sticks? Thanks! |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 02/26/2010 08:13 AM
G.Skill have a range of series to cover the entire market. It is impossible to say that they can run at lower voltages/timings at stock or when under-clocked than other modules as there are so many. It is fair to say they can do so better than most. The real hat trick here is that these modules cost a little over $100 US for the 4GB kit, that's amazing value. There are no other modules that I know of that guarantee such impressive timings in this price range. |
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Jed |
Posted on: 02/26/2010 02:58 PM
Good point, I think you've helped me settle, thanks Steve! Now to settle on the mobo, I can be extremely pedantic! http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?p=4257342#post4257342 All the best, Jed |
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me |
Posted on: 05/25/2010 03:16 PM
Uh... is it just me or did this review miss the whole point? its echo memory so what where the wattage and heat values like compared to other memory? how does it do in an ECO MACHINE like a celeron or better yet an ATOM system? why are we reviewing an eco product with gaming rig benchmarks? how about its intended purpose like HTPC or carputer etc? |
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ProX |
Posted on: 05/25/2010 09:59 PM
Yes it is just you :S Measuring wattage of just the memory is not only difficult but fairly pointless given the idea is to overclock the crap out of them with low voltage Core i5, i3 or even i7 processors. Temp wise they are just like any other modules, they run cool and the heatspreaders are just there for looks. In any memory review you want to see the best frequency and timings the modules can achieve at certain voltages. This review did that so stop crying. |