X-bit labs

OCZ Pushes Speed of Enhanced Bandwidth Modules.

Category: Memory

by Anton Shilov

[ 04/25/2004 | 06:00 PM ]

OCZ Technology unveiled a revamped version of its “Enhanced Bandwidth” memory modules with 466MHz speed. While the latency settings of such modules are not that aggressive, OCZ promises that performance of the parts will be on par with other devices of the same kind.

OCZ’s PC3700 Platinum Enhanced Bandwidth DDR memory modules are certified to function at 466MHz with CL3 2-2-8 settings, which is less aggressive setting compared to other 466MHz memory sticks available today. OCZ also pumped up the memory voltage of its new EB modules to 2.8V, which is the highest voltage bin for a lot of mainboards.

Enhanced Bandwidth (EB) technology is a set of means of increasing memory bandwidth through the optimization of memory latencies for the best possible interaction between the system memory and the chipset and memory controller. Through thorough analysis of memory traffic and benchmark results under various operating conditions as defined by different memory latency settings in the CMOS setup of the BIOS, OCZ has pinpointed the bottlenecks relevant for performance. Some conventional wisdom regarding some memory latencies were also found to no longer hold true. Using those findings, OCZ redesigned its memory products to be optimized for delivering the highest possible bandwidth to any computer system.

OCZ’ Enhanced Bandwidth (EB) technology challenges conventional wisdom that implicates increased CAS latency as the main factor causing reduced effective bandwidth. OCZ engineers have shown that by reducing the latency cycles associated with the precharge-to-activate delay and the RAS-to-CAS delay along with the use of the Variable Early Read Command feature of DDR, higher effective data bandwidth is possible.

X-bit labs recently tested OCZ Technology’s 400MHz memory modules with Enhanced Bandwidth technology. The results revealed that OCZ’s modules with CL2.5 3-2-8 settings were able to be on par with memory modules set to CL2.

OCZ PC-3700 EB Platinum DDR modules and Dual Channel kits will begin shipping immediately. Pricing may vary.