Following a successful overclock of DDR SDRAM to 772MHz, OCZ Technology, a leading maker of memory modules, unveiled the release of 600MHz DDR products with relatively aggressive latencies. This is the company’s second attempt to commercially conquer the 600MHz milestone and posed a significant test for the company’s technologies.

“Bringing DDR600 to market has been a technical challenge – but we have mastered this milestone event using a combination of ULN2 PCB with extended voltage protection to 3.0V,” said Dr. Michael Schuette, Director of Technology Development at OCZ Technology.

OCZ’s PC4800 EL DDR Platinum Limited Edition memory modules are rated to operate at 600MHz with CL2.5 4-4-10 latency settings, the most aggressive in the industry for the 600MHz DDR speed-bin. The modules require 2.85V memory voltage, which is higher than the absolute majority of mainboards with 184-pin DIMM slots can support. For owners of very advanced mainboards and OCZ’s special device that pushes memory voltage up – called DDR Booster – OCZ guarantees that even 3.0V voltage setting will not harm PC4800 EL DDR Platinum Limited Edition memory modules and will not void the warranty.

Sunnyvale, California-based OCZ Technology already attempted to offer DDR memory modules capable of operating at 600MHz frequency in May, 2004, by announcing PC4800 Limited Edition Gold EL DDR products capable of operating at 600MHz with CL3 4-4-8 timings and tested on ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe mainboards. The modules have never made it to the market possibly because of relatively low number of mainboards that can provide 2.85V voltage for memory.

Each PC-4800 EL DDR Platinum module is encased in mirrored copper heat-spreader to effectively aid in the efficient heat dissipation. The 600MHz DDR SDRAM modules are available in 512MB sticks or 1GB dual-channel optimized kits. Pricing and availability questions were not touched upon.

A-Data, another well-known maker of memory modules, managed to release its 600MHz products to the market in September, 2004. Little-known company GSKILL also sells memory modules capable of operating at 600MHz with CL3 4-4-8 latency settings in the USA.