DDR3 RAM Now at All Time Low Prices, Becoming Extremely Affordable

Subject: Memory | November 28, 2011 - 01:17 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: ram, ddr3, gskill, corsair, commodity, ram drive, memory

Although hard drive prices are skyrocketing, the price of DDR3 RAM is continuing to fall such that it is now at an all time low, according to popular tech rumor site Fudzilla. Currently, value/budget RAM maker TeamGroup is selling a 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz kit for $32 USD, which marks an all time low for the speedy temporary storage. Its not only the super cheap and lesser known brands that are selling for such low prices, however.

8 GB of DDR3 Memory is now a very inexpensive endeavor

G-Skill is offering a value DDR3 kit for $36 USD and Crucial sells their own value RAM for $34.99 over at Newegg. Considering a bit more than 3 years ago (Aprill 22, 2008 via the Way Back Machine's snapshot of Newegg), a 4GB (2x2GB) kit of G-Skill DDR3 RAM went for $279.99, or about $560 for an equivalent amount of RAM today (8 GB 2x4 GB for $36 versus two 4 GB 2x2 GB kits for $560)!

It is pretty crazy to think that DDR3 RAM has dropped so much in price. Even just a few months ago, I upgraded my system to a total of 8 GB of G-Skill 1600 (two 2x2GB kits) by adding a second set of 4 GB DDR3 for less than $50 when I spent twice that on the first 4 GB set (same model and speed) just last year.! With the rise in hard drive prices and fall in RAM prices, I really want to test out a nice 16 or even 32 GB RAM drive; if only I could pry some of that Corsair RAM out of Ryan’s Sandy Bride-E test system! ;) heh. Have you upgraded your RAM recently due to the stuff being so cheap?

My old RAM drive, aren’t they fun!? ;)

Sandy Bridge-E Prices Leaked In Company Bulletin

Subject: Processors | November 12, 2011 - 06:50 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Sandy Bridge E, microcenter, Intel, ddr3, core i7, asus

Sandy Bridge-E is almost upon us, and enthusiasts are no doubt salivating over the shiny new motherboards, quad channel memory, and PCI-E bandwidth that these chips offer. Naturally, there are bound to be price and information leaks as the launch date gets closer whether it is due to a PR move by Intel or a leak by a person or company on down the line. One such leak came to our attention recently via a leaked company bulletin. Microcenter, a US based computer electronics store has leaked the prices of some of the upcoming Sandy Bride-E processors.

While Sandy Bridge-E will not officially launch until the 14 of this month,Microcenter is already busy preparing for the launch by setting prices and organizing promotions. One such promotion has come to our attention recently, and involves two SB-E CPUs and a slew of supporting motherboards. The two processors in question are the Intel Core i7 3930K and the Core i7 3960X. The i7 3930K will be sold at $649.99 USD while the Extreme edition i7 3960X part will go for 1,149.99 USD. These prices are limited to one per customer and are in-store deals only. While the prices are a bit higher than expected, the retailer is trying to sweeten the deal by bundling a "free" Corsair H80 sealed loop water cooler with the purchase of any one of the Sandy Bridge-E CPUs. While the free H80's price is likely built into the processor's mark-up, it's at least a decent cooler (HardOCP has a review of the water cooler here). Whether it will be beneficial will depend on the user's existing cooler and whether it will be compatible/upgradeable to socket 2011.

The company will also have a "limited stock" of X79 motherboards available at launch, with more stock to become available in the coming weeks after launch. Throughout all Microcenter stores, the following motherboards will be available at the following prices.

• ASUS P9X79 PRO 2011 ATX $339.99
• ASUS Sabertooth PX79 2011 ATX $349.99
• ASUS P9X79 Deluxe 2011 ATX $389.99

Asus must be a crowd favorite over at Microcenter!

A bulletin containing the Microcenter leak ended with a positive note in stating "this launch should provide a tremendous opportunity for some very high end BYO builds for the most extreme enthusiast customer who is wanting the absolute latest and greatest from Intel!" Will you be hitting up a Microcenter at launch to get your Sandy Bridge-E on?

Samsung Releases Engineering Samples of 32GB Green DDR3 For Future Servers

Subject: Memory | August 19, 2011 - 10:47 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Samsung, DIMM, ddr3, 30nm

Samsung recently released engineering samples of new 32GB DDR3 memory modules for evaluation. Specifically, the new modules are registered dual inline memory modules (RDIMMs) that use a “three dimensional through silicon via (TSV) package technology” that provide higher performance and density.

The new DIMMs are made from Samsung’s four gigabit 30 nanometer class NAND, and is capable of delivering 1,333 Mb/s. Further, they consume 4.5 watts of power per hour, which Samsung claims is among the lowest power consuming enterprise DIMMs. Compared to LRDIMMs (load reduced modules), the Samsung modules offer 30 percent energy savings.

The company claims that these power savings are the direct result of the through silicon via technology that allows them to vertically stack the NAND and maintain power levels comparable to single stacked chips. Further, the company stated that they are working with CPU and controller engineers to hasten the adoption rate of higher capacity DIMMs.  No word yet on pricing or whether these DIMMs will ever see full production and enterprise usage in their current form.

AMD To Release 2GB DDR3 Radeon Branded DIMMs

Subject: Memory | August 8, 2011 - 12:38 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: radeon, memory, ddr3, amd

When building a computer, enthusiasts are likely to combine components from several different manufacturers, especially on the Intel side.  Short of the power supply, hard drive, and accessories; however, AMD is slowing diversifying to provide components to put together an all-AMD system.  Before today, AMD already had the motherboard, processor, and graphics card (including processor graphics if that's your thing), and today Maximum PC reports that AMD may be moving into the RAM market with its own line of Radeon branded memory.  It seems that AMD's future Leo-like platform may resemble a small AMD branded borg cube.

The new memory in question is comprised of 2GB, DDR3 sticks and comes in three series branded the "Entertainment," "ULTRA PRO Gaming," and "Enterprise."  The enthusiastic naming conventions aside, the Entertainment series looks to be the budget modules for those looking for stable DIMMs that get the job done for cheap.  They have a rated speed of 1333Mbps and a CAS latency of 9-9-9.  The next highest series is the "ULTRA PRO Gaming" series, which promises to be overclocking friendly.  These DIMMs receive a slight boost in speed to 1600Mbps while taking a slight dip in CAS latency to 11-11-11.  The final, and likely most expensive, modules are the Enterprise series.  These modules are still somewhat of a mystery as the specifications have yet to be announced by AMD; however, they are likely geared more towards enterprise workstations than servers as they are unbuffered DIMMs.

Further, all three series are rated to run at 1.5V and have a height of 30mm.  Unfortunately, there is no word yet on price or availability.  There are; however, several photos of Radeon branded memory modules over at PC Watch for you to check out.  Do you think AMD's move to enter the DRAM market is a good thing or a bad thing for future profitability?

Corsair Releases New Low Profile, Low Voltage DDR3 Arctic White Memory Kit

Subject: Memory | August 3, 2011 - 03:10 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: vengeance lp, memory, ddr3, corsair, 8gb

Today Corsair unveiled a new low voltage DDR3, low profile memory kit. Specifically, the new kit is named the Special Edition Arctic White Vengeance LP and is a 8GB, 1600MHz affair that consists of two “rigorously-screened 4GB DDR3 DRAM modules” that the manufacturer guarantees will operate at 1600MHz at CAS latencies of 9-9-9-24.

The LP in the products name implies the predisposition for use in small form factor and low profile systems where every inch counts, especially in systems where the power supply mounts directly above the motherboard. The new Vengeance kit’s heat spreader has a reduced height of 1.03” (or 26.25mm) and is ideal for these kinds of small form factor systems.

Corsair have further used the new special edition memory in an ultra quiet PC build on the company’s blog. According to Giovanni Sena, the Director of Memory Products at Corsair, “our latest offering, the Special Edition Arctic White Vengeance LP, gives builders, system integrators, and gaming enthusiasts the ability to assemble low-voltage systems with an appealing, stylish new look.”

The new Arctic White Vengeance LP memory kit is available now from retailers and will run you approximately $90 USD at time of writing.

Dual channel DDR3 roundup, only the best for your Z68 system

Subject: Memory | July 8, 2011 - 12:53 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: corsair, patriot, kingston, crucial, G.Skill, ddr3, roundup

At Hardware Heaven you can catch a dual channel DDR3 roundup featuring Corsair Vengeance, Crucial Ballistix, Kingston HyperX, Patriot Division 2 Viper Xtreme and G.Skill RipjawsX kits.  The kits range from DDR3-1600 @ 7-8-7-24-2T to DDR3-2133 @ 9-11-9-27-1T and even features a low power 8GB kit which uses 1.5V.  They didn't have much luck overclocking the high speed DIMMs, it seems they are running stock speeds close to the maximum possible and had much better luck with the 1600MHz kits.  The charts do reveal a truth that not many like to admit, spending all that extra money on the high speed kits will not give you a noticeable jump in real world performance.

"Last month, for the first time in a while, we took a look at various different memory products which were designed for Intel's X58 architecture and found that there are a number of great kits available from a number of manufacturers. Whether it is capacity, speed or low energy use there was something for everyone and the various approaches created an interesting comparison. Not everyone has access to an X58 system though so today we are going to look at Intel's mainstream chipset and put 5 different kits through their paces in a selection of real world and synthetic tests on Z68."

Here are some more Memory articles from around the web:

Memory

• Dual-Channel DDR3-1600 8GB Shootout @ Legion Hardware
• Corsair Dominator 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz C7 Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews
• Kingston HyperX H2O 4GB 2133MHz DDR3 Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews

Five way triple channel DDR3 roundup

Subject: Memory | June 22, 2011 - 01:46 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ddr3, triple channel, X58, corsair, crucial, G.Skill, kingston, patriot

Hardware Heaven have not given up on the X58 chipset and its support for triple channel memory and offer a round up for those of you who are sticking with those boards.  Five vendors with RAM ranging from Crucial's Ballistix SmartTracer DDR3-1600 @ 8-8-8-24-1T to Patriot's Viper Xtreme DDR3-2000 @ 9-11-9-27-2T so not only do you get a look at the different speeds you also get to see what different timings do.  They finish off by overclocking the modules, not only to see the maximum speed at default timings but also the limit when relaxing the timings.

"Every so often though we like to take a look at what the major manufacturers have to offer, something which will be particularly relevant for those building a new system or wondering how they can get some extra zip from an existing build and today is one of those days. We'll be using our high end X58 build to look at kits which each have their own unique selling points to find out what Corsair, Crucial, G.Skill, Kingston and Patriot have to offer in the triple channel DDR3 market."

Here are some more Memory articles from around the web:

Memory

• G.Skill Sniper Series PC312800 Cas 7 Review @ OCC
• Kingston HyperX Lovo 1866MHz Low Voltage Memory Kit Review @ eTeknix
• Gskill Sniper 12GB X58 ram kit Review @ Madshrimps
• Corsair Vengeance 1866 MHz DDR3 Memory @ Benchmark Reviews

G.Skill Guarantees Compatibility of Dual Channel RipjawsX and Sniper Series DDR3 RAM Kits With Z68 Motherboards

Subject: Memory | May 27, 2011 - 11:29 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: ram, G.Skill, ddr3

G.Skill recently announced that it has finished testing its RipjawsX and Sniper series DDR3 memory kits on Intel’s latest Z68 motherboards. The RAM manufacturer stated that it has “worked closely with all the major motherboard manufacturers to ensure the best compatibility between all Z68 motherboards available in the market and G.Skill’s current memory product line.”

The testing in question included memory kits from 1333 MHz CL9 DIMMS to their highest clocked 2200 Mhz 16GB set using Hyper PI 0.98b and MemTest.

It’s nice to see that G.Skill is willing to support their current product lineup as new motherboard tech is released. You can read more about warranty and product information here.