OCZ Keep Rolling Out The DDR3

Category: Memory
Posted: May 7, 2008 02:23PM
Author: Ben Grantham

OCZ certainly appear to be trying to encourage you to take the plunge and upgrade to DDR3, as it further fleshed out its product lines today with the addition of two new memory kits. The new modules pop up in its 'Reaper' branded line and are available in PC3-14400 (1800MHz) and PC3-12800 (1600MHz) flavours. Available as single 2GB modules or 4GB kits, they come with timings of 8-8-8-27 and 7-7-7-24 respectively (both at 1.9v) as well as the Reaper heat pipe cooling system. With DDR2 still at rock bottom prices (which we may see starting to recover soon), DDR3 still has a tough job when pitched to consumers. At least OCZ are giving you plenty of choice if you do go down the cutting edge path.

Mushkin Announces Specially Cooled Ascent RAM Modules

Category: Memory
Posted: May 6, 2008 01:02PM
Author: Chris Benjamin

Mushkin Inc., a world renowned - and personal favorite - manufacturer of enthusiast grade memory modules and power supplies, has teamed up with Celsia Technologies to provide hard-core gamers with the cool-running RAM modules they need to climb to the top of the heap.  Mushkin's new Ascent line is aimed at the power gamer - matching unparalleled DDR2 and DDR3 stability and speed with Celsia's eVCI cooling solution, which utilizes two aluminum encased, liquid filled, copper vapor chambers to deliver a heat dissipation solution that's 48% more effective than standard memory coolers.  eVCI's thin, low-profile design allows users to comfortably fill all four RAM slots on their motherboard with Redline- or XP-based memory modules, without having worry about the CPU cooler clearance issues that often plague other manufacturers' high-performance RAM kits.  Ascent XP series memory kits are available now through select retailers, and Ascent Redline kits will be on the market very soon.

Corsair - 4GB RAM Better Than 2GB

Category: Memory
Posted: May 6, 2008 12:20PM
Author: Chris Benjamin

Cutting-edge DRAM and Flash memory manufacturer Corsair has just released the findings of a study it conducted to determine the real-world impact of running 2GB RAM vs. 4GB RAM in a gaming system, and the results may surprise you.  The 4GB system really put a beat-down on the system equipped with only 2GB memory, showing a 46% frames-per-second increase in many popular games - including Crysis, shortened application load times, and improved multi-tasking performance - and the vast overall performance increase can be irrefutably linked to higher user productivity and a better gaming experience.  This test was performed on a system running Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit, but I need to mention that I have 4GB RAM installed and am running Vista Ultimate 32-bit, and can say with confidence that the performance increase is equally noticeable.  Corsair offers 4GB kits of its Dominator and XMS memory at many e- and retail locations.

OCZ Introduce High Density 2GHz DDR3

Category: Memory
Posted: May 5, 2008 01:55PM
Author: Ben Grantham

The price of DDR3 memory may put some people off when considering using it for a new build, but that doesn't stop the release of new memory to the market. The latest DDR3 modules from OCZ manage to pack in 2GB per stick while maintaining a speed of 2GHz with timings of 9-9-9-28 at 1.9v and go by the name of the DDR3 PC3-16000 Platinum Edition. Of course, OCZ are targeting the performance user with these kits, with the marketing blurb mentioning they are ideal for "computer enthusiasts and professionals utilizing high-bandwidth video, music, and graphics applications, along with gamers experiencing the latest PC titles..". Slightly away from the bleeding edge, OCZ are also launching 4GB Platinum Series kits at 1.8GHz. You can check out the 2GHz modules on OCZ's product page and can expect to see them at retailers soon. No news on a MSRP.

Hynix Raises DRAM Prices 15 Percent

Category: Memory
Posted: May 5, 2008 01:54PM
Author: Dale Shuck

Korea's Hynix Semiconductor announced it has raised contract prices for DRAM chips by about 15 percent in April with further increases likely this month. Hynix is the second largest producer of memory chips behind Samsung Electronics. The price increases come after a long downturn in prices due to oversupply and reduced demand. As chip makers cut back on spending they are looking for an end to the downward price spiral ahead of the back-to-school and holiday spending seasons. Other makers such as Japan's Elpida have also recently raised prices. Flying n the face of this expected recovery is Samsung's announcement it expects to double DRAM shipments this year would could soften any expected recovery in prices and put further pressure on its rivals.

HP to Present Paper on New Type of Memory

Category: Memory
Posted: April 30, 2008 11:38AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Leon Chua, a professor at UCal Berkeley, once theorized there should a circuit that remembers how much current flows through a device. According to Chua's theory scientific symmetry would seem to demand the existence of this complementary circuit to resistors, capacitors and inductors. Now, 37 years later scientists at Hewlett Packard are set to publish a paper demonstrating the existence of this type of circuit, called 'memristor' for memory resistor. If researchers can make these circuits commercially viable, it could lead to new high-density, low-energy types of memory. Memristors work due to its level of resistance changing when current is applied. Thus a high/low level of resistance can be interpreted as a 1/0 state, the basis of data storage. HP has been able to build both discrete memristors and memristors embedded in a silicon chip.

OCZ Special Ops Edition DDR3 Memory

Category: Memory
Posted: April 29, 2008 07:19PM
Author: Dale Shuck

OCZ Technology Group added a new series of DDR3 memory to its product line today. The new additions are part of its Special Ops Edition series of DDR3 memory kits. These modules come in both PC3-8500 (CL 7-7-7-24) and PC3-10666 (CL 9-9-9-27) speeds the kits are specifically targeted towards gamers looking for the higher bandwidth and lower power requirements offered by DDR3 memory. The DDR3 Special Ops Edition modules also offer a camouflage patterned heatspreader for that little bit of extra style.

Super Talent DDR3-1800 4GB Memory Kit

Category: Memory
Posted: April 22, 2008 06:25PM
Author: Dale Shuck

Super Talent has just released a new member of it's Project X lineup of enthusiast-class memory modules. This set of modules is the first 4GB kit to reach DDR3-1800 clock speeds. The kits make use of binned Micron DRAM chips and each matched pair is stress tested in a dual-channel setup on Asus' Striker II Extreme motherboard. Designed to run at 8-8-8-24 timings, these modules all feature the signature Project X that contain double the surface area and higher aluminum mass versus standard heat spreaders. You can expect immediate availability with prices around $499US.

New high-density Mac Pro memory by Corsair

Category: Memory
Posted: April 19, 2008 04:21AM
Author: kingdingeling

The Apple Mac Pro is aimed at a market of high power computing where the use of a computer exceeds basic gaming or work use. The Mac Pro uses fully buffered FB-Dimm's for it's RAM needs, of which Corsair has just released a special Mac Pro compatible series. The 2x1GB (2GB) or 2x2GB (4GB) kits are rated at DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) and should retail for $165 (2GB kit) and $225 (4GB kit). These sets have been verified 100% Apple compatible by the Apple Test Labs in Californi and offer the same lifetime warranty that all Corsair memory products have.

OCZ Launches Speedy Flex II XLC DDR3 Kit

Category: Memory
Posted: April 17, 2008 04:43PM
Author: Chris Benjamin

When overclockers think of high performance memory, OCZ Technology is always at the top of the list - consistently producing innovative, fast, dependable enthusiast-grade DRAM modules at an attractive price to performance ratio.  In an effort to perpetuate that tradition, OCZ has released a 2 GB dual-channel kit that performs at blazing fast DDR3-2000 speeds at enhanced 8-8-8-28 latencies, and takes advantage of OCZ's superior Flex II Xtreme Liquid Convection cooling technology ensuring this memory a long, stable life.  Designed to give enthusiasts and overclockers the ultimate in cooling, OCZ's groundbreaking Flex II XLC heat sinks can use air, liquid, or both in combination to dissipate the heat generated by the breakneck speeds this RAM kit can achieve.  OCZ goes the extra mile with their Flex II XLC series, bundling these sticks with everything needed to incorporate them into your liquid cooling loop, optimizing them for operation in Nvidia's 790i chipset, and wrapping them up in a lifetime warranty with Extended Voltage Protection up to 1.95V.

OCZ Shatters 2 GHz RAM Barrier

Category: Memory
Posted: April 16, 2008 06:38AM
Author: Chris Benjamin

OCZ has long been known to push the limits with its enthusiast grade RAM products, and by the look of three new DDR3 memory kits, that's not going to stop anytime soon.  OCZ has announced that they are officially the first memory manufacturer to produce kits capable of 2000 MHz, finally breaking a barrier that has stumped RAM makers until now.  OCZ's XTC Platinum DDR3 sticks operate at 2000 MHz at 9-9-9-28 timings, while their Enhanced Bandwidth XTC Platinum kit also runs at 2000 MHz and ships optimized for Asus motherboards, which will automatically set timings at 9-8-8-28.  Both kits will take advantage of OCZ's Platinum Z3 heatspreader.  The third kit is Nvidia SLI certified, sporting the "SLI Ready" XTC heatspreader - and will also be automatically tuned to 9-8-8-28 when installed on an nForce 790i Ultra motherboard.

OCZ Launches World's Fastest 4 GB DDR2 Kit

Category: Memory
Posted: April 10, 2008 03:18PM
Author: Chris Benjamin

Global ultra-high performance memory leader OCZ Technology has released the world's fastest 4 GB DDR2 memory kit from its cage - and it wants into your PC.  OCZ has been able to push its Flex II XLC RAM modules to screaming DDR2-1150 speeds with CAS latency set to 5-5-5-18 at 2.1V.  That's not all - OCZ built this kit from the ground up with overclockers and hardcore gamers in mind, providing Extended Voltage Protection up to 2.15V and one of the most powerful cooling solutions on the planet. The Xtreme Liquid Convection cooling system gives enthusiasts the ability to take advantage of enhanced heat spreader air cooling technology, or integrate the Flex II XLC RAM into their liquid cooling loop.  For the ultimate in extreme heat dissipation, OCZ designed their 4 GB Flex II XLC kit to take advantage of both air and liquid cooling measures, ensuring faster clock speeds at low latencies without risking system stability or damage to the modules.  OCZ backs these sticks with a lifetime warranty, and they provide all of the accessories necessary to easily work this kit into your liquid loop - 40" of tubing, a four-way manifold barb, and 3/8" and 1/2" barb adaptors.  Can you say bang for the buck?  I know OCZ can...

Super Talent Launches Speedy DDR3 Kit

Category: Memory
Posted: April 10, 2008 11:46AM
Author: Chris Benjamin

Super Talent Technology, a world leader in super-speedy DRAM and SSD tech., have announced their fastest DDR3 DRAM yet - the 2 x 1 GB Project X DDR3-2000 kit.  Project X memory kits have always been built using carefully screened DRAM modules that are hand tested in dual-channel configuration prior to shipping to ensure quality and performance.  Super Talent's Project X RAM provides overclockers ultra-fast memory with aggressively tuned latencies, and the DDR3-2000 kit is no exception.  Capable of producing a PC3-16000 data rate with timings of 9-9-9-28 at only 1.9V, this kit will help users burn through their most demanding games and benchmarks.  To make sure the Project X RAM kits doesn't burn out, Super Talent has incorporated heat spreaders that offer double the surface area and 106% more aluminum mass than standard cooling solutions, and combined with Super Talent's special thermal adhesive, those heat spreaders guarantee cooler, faster running RAM.  Super Talent wraps up all that performance with a lifetime warranty, offering a sense of security that only comes when a company builds and guarantees a superior product.

PQI Promises Immortality

Category: Memory
Posted: March 27, 2008 04:03PM
Author: Chris Benjamin

Memory maker PQI has launched it's new Phoenix Series Turbo Immortality Edition DDR3-1600 4GB RAM kit.  This kit is made using Elpida chips, and can do 1688MHz at 1.54v, with timings at 8-8-8-24.   Also, if you have an Intel X38 XMP compatible motherboard, you can take advantage of PQI's XMP - Extreme Memory Profiles - for automatic memory overclocking.  Plus, if you've got these sticks running in dual-channel mode (why wouldn't you?), you can expect a maximum bandwidth of 25.6GB/sec.  Where does the Immortality come into play, you ask?  With PQI's lifetime warranty, of course.

Now 2GHz DDR3 memory by Corsair for the NVIDIA 790i Ultra SLI platform

Category: Motherboards, Memory, Gaming, Manufacturers, General News
Posted: March 18, 2008 02:43PM
Author: kingdingeling

At the CeBit in Hannover, Germany (see OCCs coverage here), NVIDIA launched the new 790i Ultra SLI, which was present at almost any large mainboard manufacturer's booth. Corsair took it upon themselves to create a series of gaming memory targeted at working with this chipset, including a set that break 2GHz. These models are the Dominator TW3X2G2000, Dominator TW3X2G1800 and the XMS DHX TW3X2G1600, all of which are 2 gigabyte kits. All of these modules have the new Enhanced Performance Profile 2 (EPP2) feature, as well as the DHX heatspreaders that is already on the high-end DDR2 sticks from Corsair.

OCZ Releases PC3-16000 DDR3 Memory

Category: Memory
Posted: March 18, 2008 01:52PM
Author: Carl Dunham

Do you like fast, sleek and sexy? I know your first thoughts were, "Yes sir, I love my memory to be fast, have a fair amount of bling factor and above all perform". If thats the case than look no farther than OCZ's newly released PC3-16000 DDR3 modules. These modules are NVIDIA SLI certified to run at an exceptional 2GHz on NVIDIA's new 790i Ultra SLI motherboards. As of now OCZ will only offer 2GB kits running timings of 9-9-9-28. The memory features the exclusive NVIDIA SLI black heatspreaders to show off exactly what your running and provide proper heat dissipation. Today has been a wonderful day packed full of new products and toys, so lets all drain our bank accounts and get those PC's screaming!

Corsair Announce First High Performance Mac Memory

Category: Memory, Manufacturers
Posted: March 13, 2008 02:51PM
Author: Ben Grantham

Corsair -

Corsair, one of the major players in the memory market, today announced they are producing the first high performance upgrade memory modules made specifically for the Mac. The modules are tuned for low latency and are intended as upgrades for the new Macbook and Macbook Pro laptops. Corsair are claiming as much as a 28% overall system performance improvement in benchmarks with such apps as Photoshop, VMWare and Bootcamp (versus standard Mac upgrade memory). Now as we know, since Macs have used Intel chips they have much in common with PC equivalents, so it is hard to say if Corsair's memory is any different to high performance memory aimed at Windows based laptops. It is certainly the first to be marketed towards Mac users, at least that we have seen. The Corsair memory comes in 4GB kits with timings of 4-4-4-12 @ 667MHz and is available immediately for an MSRP of $159.99.

Low Latency Performance Memory and Intel X48 at CeBit

Category: Motherboards, Memory, Manufacturers, Trade Shows/Conventions
Posted: March 7, 2008 08:32AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Patriot Memory -

CeBit 2008 is currently underway in Hannover, Germany (you can find OCC coverage HERE) and Patriot Memory is there with its recently announced DDR3 1800MHz memory modules. Designed for low-latency performance in the latest enthusiast class boards, many manufacturers such as ECS, Abit and Gigabyte are featuring this new kit in their latest Intel X4 motherboards on display at the show. Each set of the Viper series 2x1GB sticks feature support for the Intel XMP specification which is a set of SPD settings onboard each module engineered to optimize the overclocking of the memory. Be sure to check out the latest on display at CeBit and OCC's continuing coverage using the link above.

Mushkin Show Off XP3 DDR3 At CeBit

Category: Memory, Manufacturers
Posted: March 5, 2008 08:56AM
Author: Ben Grantham

Mushkin -

We have seen plenty of DDR3 modules out in the wild now, but the new standard hasn't found wide spread adoption yet. This is mainly due to the high price of DDR3 compared to the continuing low prices on DDR2 modules. Mushkin has been showing its latest DDR3 memory at the CeBit trade fair in Hannover, in rated speeds up to DDR3-1800. Known as XP3-14400, at those super fast speeds you will get timings of 8-8-7-20 at 1.9 - 1.95v and they will be available as 1GB modules or in 2GB matched pairs. There is also XP3-12800 which runs at a still respectable DDR3-1600 at timings of 7-7-6-18. As well as single 1GB modules and 2GB kits, XP3-12800 will also be available as 2GB modules and 4GB kits (all running at those same timings). As the year goes on, I expect we will see more DDR3 releases as companies push for the transition from DDR2. Hopefully we will also start to see prices coming down. The Mushkin XP3 modules mentioned all come with the company's FrostByte heatspreaders and will be available in retail channel from the beginning of April.

Enhanced Latency DDR3 Memory from Patriot

Category: Memory
Posted: February 27, 2008 09:53AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Patriot Memory -

Patriot Memory has just announced an addition to its Viper lineup of performance memory products.  Targeted directly at enthusiasts, the new low-latency Viper Series PC3-14400 is a 2GB 1800MHz kit enhanced to run at 8-8-8-20 timings and 1.9V.  The modules are designed to be used with Intel's latest P35/X38/X45 chipset motherboards and thus have been optimized for the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors.  The kits come with support for Intel's Extreme Memory Profile for automatic configuration of memory settings.  As with other members of the Viper family, these modules also feature Patriot's signature aluminum copper composite heat spreaders for improved cooling and performance.  Pricing and availability were not announced.

MetaRAM to increase the capacity of DDR2 by 4x

Category: Memory, Manufacturers
Posted: February 26, 2008 01:32AM
Author: Andrew Robinson

arstechnica - MetaRAM which is owned by the former CTO of AMD Fred Weber has announced that their new technology allows DDR2 DIMMs to hold 4-8GB of memory while still being the same dimensions of a normal DDR2 DIMM. How did they manage that? Well MetaRAM's new technology uses 3D chip stacking to allow more memory on each DIMM, this technology allows 4-8 DIMMs worth of memory to fit on a single DIMM. Also on the DIMMs are a pair of chips that allow normal AMD and Intel systems to view the modules as regular DIMMs, the chips main purpose is to route all the data to the appropriate DRAM modules and hide itself from the memory controller as to appear like a normal DIMM. The routing of the memory through unorthodox methods causing the timings to go askew so the aforementioned "chips" have to do some weird out-of-order execution to the data that passes in and out of the DIMM to allow the memory to run at a top speed of 667Mhz. The key to keeping the DIMMs under the acceptable power usage is to keep most of the dram in a sleep state until its called upon. The chips which are constantly routing memory access will then know which DRAM module to wakeup and route the data to the correct module. Compared to FB-DIMM which has a 5-7 watt power usage the MetaRAM modules will draw a peak of 2.5 watts and can scale down depending on memory usage.

Researchers Steal Hard Drive Encryption Keys from Memory Modules

Category: Memory, Storage / Hard Drives
Posted: February 25, 2008 09:39PM
Author: Dale Shuck

Princeton University - It seems like a day doesn't go by without some report of critical data being lost or stolen.  This is especially true for laptop computers and security experts have been encouraging the use of hard drive encryption for some time.  Well, just when you thought your data were safe (cue scary music) researchers at Princeton University are reporting its possible to steal hard drive encryption keys from a computer's DRAM.  Although this type of attack requires physical access to the machine which has to be running or in standby mode, it is possible to retrieve the data even after the computer has been shut down for a few seconds.  This works because the data in the memory hangs around long enough for someone to boot the machine off a portable drive and read the memory.  Apparently cooling the chips down to around -50 degrees Celsius can preserve the contents for longer periods, long enough to remove the memory and install it in another machine.  Alex Haldeman, a graduate student who worked on the project, says the team was able to use this technique to successfully read data as long as ten minutes after power had been removed.  For more information and access to videos and the original research paper be sure to click on the read link above.

Speedier FB-DIMM from Super Talent

Category: Memory
Posted: February 25, 2008 07:57PM
Author: Dale Shuck

Super Talent Technology -

Super Talent has just announced new DDR2-800 Fully Buffered DIMMs geared toward the server and high-end workstation market.  Similar to to its line of standard FD-DIMMs, these new modules feature faster RAM along with a a speedier Advanced Memory Buffer chip to go along with the redesigned PCB.  With FB-DIMM technology you can achieve higher bandwidth while keeping the pin count down to reasonable levels as well as allowing more modules per channel, even at higher speeds.  Currently Super Talent is shipping 1GB CL5 modules for both Intel and Apple systems.  OEM pricing is expected to be around $50.

Corsair To Introduce Faster DDR2 and DDR3 lineup

Category: Memory
Posted: February 20, 2008 01:50PM
Author: Carl Dunham

Corsair -

Are you into overclocking and getting the maximum gaming and benching performance from your machine? Of course you are, thats why your here isn’t it? Picking out the perfect CPU and Motherboard for your new build is important but you can’t skimp out on the RAM, at least not if your planning on pushing for that higher stable overclock, the higher benchmark score and lower SuperPI time. If you fit the description above maybe you should take a look at the new products Corsair is rolling out the door. Corsair isn’t dropping the DDR2 lineup just yet, instead offering 1066MHz (PC2-8500) and 1142MHz (PC2-9136) memory kits in 2 x 2GB sticks. Their DDR3 lineup is also expanding to include 2000MHz (PC3-16000) modules that are just entering production and additional models expected sometime this quarter. These DDR3 kits will be available in 2GB kits at the time of their release. Both the DDR2 models and DDR3 models will take advantage of Corsair’s patented DHX heat sink technology, giving you maximum performance and better overclocking capability.

Hardware Roundup: Monday Edition

Category: Video Cards, Motherboards, CPU's, Cases, Memory, Power Supplies, Mobile, Monitors, Prebuilts, Storage / Hard Drives
Posted: February 18, 2008 06:29AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Monday rolls around again and we have quite a few reviews in tour roundup this morning.  For the video card section Fudzilla dissects the PowerColor HD 3850 1GB complete with a factory overclock and a ZEROTherm after market cooler.  Also from the ATI camp Techgage reviews the ASUS EAH3870 X2 1GB.   Moving over to the NVIDIA side, there is the Leadtek WinFast PX8800 GT ZL 512Mb Video Card from Madshrimps.  This card also features a factory overclock and an after market cooler, but this one is from Zalman.  If you're curious to find out how the upcoming 9600 series of cards from NVIDIA will perform you need to check out the NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT 512MB G94 review from TweakTown.  We'll have to wait to see about NVIDIA's pricing and ability to deliver sufficient stock levels on this new card.  PC Perspective returns with its latest news with the release of Podcast #22 - Skulltrail, NVIDIA buying AGEIA, AMD merger talk and more!.  You've been treated to several articles in our roundup regarding Intel's new Skulltrail platform.  Some of Intel's partners are also scheduled to release boards based on the the dual socket LGA771 configuration and HotHardware has the Asus Z7S WS Skulltrail Motherboard Exclusive Sneak Peek for your perusal.  So where does that leave you if you want a single processor setup based on the LGA775 socket?  Check out the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Quad Core Processor at Tech ARP.  They also updated their Intel Core 2 Performance Comparison Guide to include the QX9650 numbers.  For the latest in DDR3 memory, Overclockers Online evaluates the Patriot Viper Extreme 2x1024MB PC3-15000.  Acrylic and home theater PCs are both segments of the specialty  case market.  Combine the two and you get the Sunbeam Acrylic HTPC Case and Overclocker Cafe checks it out.  RBMods has a look at the Ultra X2 Extreme Edition 750W Power Supply.  HotHardware also treats us to a look at a prebuilt performance system in their Maingear Ephex 3-Way SLI Gaming System review.  ThinkComputers offers up a look at a pair of notebooks today with its Lenovo ThinkPad T61p 14.1-inch & 15.4-inch Laptops.  With terabyte hard drives seeming to rule the roost in terms of size the sweet spot in terms of cost per gigabyte is in the 500GB-750GB models and ExtremeMHz has the Seagate 750GB SATA II Hard Drive up for review.  With drive prices falling and storage requirements increasing perhaps its time to invest in a nice RAID array.  The HighPoint RocketRAID 3120 at Bjorn3D is one way to achieve that goal without breaking the bank.  PCSTATS has a look at the Samsung Syncmaster 275T 27-inch LCD Display, a sweet-looking display offering good ergonomic features and HDCP support.

New High-Speed 4GB Memory Kit From OCZ

Category: Memory, Manufacturers, General News
Posted: February 15, 2008 12:34PM
Author: kingdingeling

OCZ - OCZ's ReaperHPC (Heat Pipe Conduct) line-up of memory modules just got another sibling, the 4GB (2x2048MB) PC2-8500 set. With the games and applications becoming more and more demanding, running 4GBs of memory in your computer is becoming more and more common not only among enthusiasts. However, running high speed and high bandwidth memory in your computer is essential for overclockers and gamers alike, so OCZ should make a decent hit with this ReaperHPC 4GB kits. Overclockers will aim to squeeze the last little bit of extra performance out of their machines, therefore having a warranty that covers voltages of up to 2.15V's is a nice bonus on the high frequencies that this 4GB kit can run. The set has stock timings of 5-5-5-15 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) at 1066MHz, supports EPP and of course comes with OCZ's lifetime warranty.

Hardware Roundup: Friday Edition

Category: Video Cards, Motherboards, Cases, Memory, Operating Systems, Digital Photography/Video, Storage / Hard Drives, Mouse Pad
Posted: February 15, 2008 06:10AM
Author: Dale Shuck

Looking around the web today revealed several video card card articles.  We begin with a look at the ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 from motherboards.org (also reviewed by OCC HERE).  ATI is certainly back in the game with their new 3800 series of cards, but how does it stack up against the green team?  Bjorn3D  has a look at the factory-overclocked Gigabyte 8800GT TurboForce which features a Zalman after-market cooler.  If you're in the hunt for a new video card, how do you decide which one to get amongst all the ones out there.  Take a moment to read the Sweet 16 Mid-range Graphics Cards Compared article at The Tech Report for more insight.  The 790FX is AMD's latest chipset designed to support their Phenom line of processors.  By now you're most likely aware of the issues the current processors are having with the TLB and the microcode fix available.  Viper Lair evaluates the MSI K9A2 Platinum AMD 790FX Motherboard and has a look at performance and the impact the fix has by toggling the fix on and off.  While AMD is still using DDR2 memory, Intel-based boards are moving towards the faster, yet still pricier, DDR3 format.  The Aeneon Xtune DDR3-1333 2GB Memory Kit from ThinkComputers is one such offering (see the OCC review HERE).  PC Perspective takes the Ultra m998 Mid-Tower ATX Case out for a spin and comes away liking what they saw (OCC review).  For something on the fun side, you can read about the Cyberlink YouCam at OCModShop.  Vitual-Hideout likes the Razer Destructor Gaming Surface (also reviewed by OCC HERE).  Tech ARP has just published its Hard Drive Performance Comparison Guide.  Finally, OCModShop shows us how to Solve File Copy Problems: Tweak Vista's Auto-tuning Network.

Hardware Roundup: Friday Edition

Category: Video Cards, Memory, Power Supplies, Operating Systems, Mobile, Storage / Hard Drives, CPU Cooling
Posted: February 8, 2008 06:18AM
Author: Dale Shuck

The work week draws to a close and our meanderings managed to turn up several power supply reviews in today's edition.  PC Perspective kicks things off with the ABS/Tagan BZ800 800W Power Supply which is a modular unit sporting six +12V rails.   Next up is the Antec NeoPower Blue 650W, another modular unit at Overclockers Online.  Rounding out the power supply reviews today are two looks at a 750W unit from Ultra.  Having two reviews of the same unit is always interesting and these two provide some worthwhile reading.  The first look is the Ultra X2 750W Extreme Edition ATX Power Supply  courtesy of the folks at Virtual-Hideout.  They were careful to point out that their testing found good performance up to the roughly 350W load they were able to put on the unit.  However, their review also links to the Ultra X2 Extreme Edition 750w Power Supply at [H]ardocp.  I won't spoil your fun but [H] ramped up the load on the PSU and warns us to stay away from this unit and minces no words in saying so.  To top it off, the unit claims SLI certification when, in fact, that is not the case.  OK, moving on to video cards.  Representing the red team we have the Overclocked MSI R3870 X2 at Fudzilla.  Weighing in for the green team is the Leadtek 8800 GT 256MB aka G92 at Bjorn3D.  Cooling things off in the CPU department we find the Tuniq Tower 120 Ultra Silent CPU Cooler at RBMods and the Asus Triton 75 Heatsink from FrostyTech.  Both employ heatpipe technology and are designed for use with 120mm fans.  Which one comes out on top?  DDR3 memory prices continue to drop, even as speeds increase and  Techgage has a look at one of the latest offering with their review of the OCZ 2GB DDR3-1600 Titanium - Intel XMP Edition.  ThinkComputers checks out a different approach to equipping your computer with an external drive in their look at the Thermaltake BlacX USB Hard Drive Docking Station. PCSTATS returns with their Beginners Guides: Safe Mode in Windows Vista For Crash Recovery.  Finally, Tech ARP has an overview of the Samsung SGH-i450 Music Edition Mobile Phone.

iPhone and iPod Touch Get Increased Storage

Category: Memory, Mobile, Music / Video Players, Storage / Hard Drives
Posted: February 5, 2008 05:52PM
Author: Ben Grantham

DailyTech -

Apple introduced new iPhone and iPod Touch models today with increased storage over those previously available. The iPhone is now available in a new 16GB flavour and the iPod Touch is available with 32GB of storage. Both if these increased capacity verions of the devices will set you back $499, and will also come loaded with the latest 1.1.3 firmware, which gives some extra applications to the iPod Touch (Weather, Mail, Stocks and Notes). The iPhone gets an updated Maps app with the new firmware (with position triangulation), plus improvements to text messaging and web clip support.

Both new versions of the devices are available as of now online at the Apple store, or at any of its retail sites.

World's Fastest NAND Flash Memory Developed by Intel and Micron

Category: Memory
Posted: February 1, 2008 05:28AM
Author: Ben Grantham

Micron -

Micron, in partnership with Intel today announced a new high speed NAND Flash memory technology that can greatly increase the transfer rate for devices that use the silicon based storage. Designed on a 50nm process and  manufactured by a joint venture of the two companies, IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), the new memory is five times faster than conventional NAND and can reach speeds of 200MB/s (yes, that's megabytes) for reading data and 100MB/s for writing data. When you consider how much faster that is than current NAND memory, all sorts of possibilities open up. The company is working with key partners to develop technologies that will be able to take advantage of this improved performance.

Some examples where this technology could be used are suggested, such as hybrid hard drives to increase transfer rates two, or even four-fold. Digital video cameras would also be able to take advantage of the high speed memory to transfer high definition content. There is also the upcoming USB 3.0 standard to consider, with bandwidth aims of ten times that of USB 2.0 (up to 4.8 Gigabits per second). With that kind of performance possible, it looks like the popularity solid state memory has achieved recently will continue to grow. Mass production of the new memory is expected to begin in the second half of 2008. Don't expect it to be cheap!