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Today we are looking at another new DDR3 triple-channel memory kit from OCZ, which is of course designed to work with Intel’s latest Core i7 processors. This new kit boasts some pretty impressive features and although it is designed to work at 1600MHz, the memory timings have remained tight for maximum performance… Some time ago now I wrote an Intel Core i7 memory performance guide that looked at the various performance impacts certain memory configurations had on the Core i7 platform. One of the conclusions that I came to, based on the testing, was that in terms of value, users are going to be better off with lower clocked lower latency memory, rather than the high-speed 1600MHz and 2000MHz kits that are now getting around. Here is a quote from that conclusion…  “Currently a 6GB DDR3-1600 (8-8-8-21) memory kit is going to set you back at least $250, whereas a DDR3-1066 (7-7-7-20) kit can be had for ~$150. Given the small performance difference between these two, we feel you would be mad to pick up the more expensive option. That said, most users will just be fine running a 3GB triple-channel kit, which can be had for less than $100. This could be good news for those "budget" Core i7 920 builds.” Since writing that article some 7 months ago now a lot has changed, and while the message remains very much the same, DDR3 pricing has changed dramatically. Whereas late last year 6GB DDR3-1600 kits were fetching over $250 US, they can now be had for less than $100 US, which is really quite amazing. That said, at this price do not expect anything amazing, with almost all kits designed to work at 9-9-9-24. However OCZ has come up with one of the cheapest and most impressive CAS7 kits designed to work at 1600MHz. The OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Reaper HPC memory kit, which comes in 6GB capacities, can be picked up for just $140 US. This is less than the price of DDR3-1066 just 7 months ago, and with timings to match lower clocked 1066/1333MHz memory, these new Reaper HPC memory modules are pretty special. |
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