X-bit labs

Crucial Unveils 1GHz Memory Modules.

Category: Memory

by Anton Shilov

[ 08/02/2005 | 10:53 AM ]

Crucial Technology, a top memory module maker and a subsidiary of memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology, Tuesday announced availability of its memory modules rated to run at 1000MHz, which made the company the world’s fourth maker of memory modules capable of releasing such a product. In addition, the company has added other DDR2 SDRAM options for enthusiasts into its Ballistix lineup.

“Just in time for the gaming season, the Crucial Ballistix high-performance memory line is getting an upgrade of its own – introducing Crucial Ballistix PC2-8000 (DDR2-1000) high-performance memory – the fastest Ballistix offering yet,” a statement by Crucial reads.

Among other products, Crucial’s Ballistix lineup now includes PC2-8000 (1000MHz) memory modules with CL5 5-5-15 latency settings and 2.2V voltage, PC2-6400 (800MHz) modules with CL4 4-4-12 timings and 2.1V power settings as well as PC2-5300 (667MHz) sticks with CL3-3-3-12 latencies and 2.1V voltage. The company said that both 1GB and 512MB modules would be available.

While high-speed memory modules at 800MHz – 1000MHz can deliver astonishing results in synthetic benchmarks, due to high latencies it remains to be seen how CL5 timings affect performance in real-world applications. For example, the first generation of DDR2 memory at 533MHz used to demonstrate performance similar to that provided by DDR SDRAM at 400MHz due to far more aggressive latency settings of the latter in spite of tangibly increased clock-speed of the former. DDR2 SDRAM modules at about 667MHz with shrunk latencies may end up as serious competitors to higher speed devices with increased timings.

Memory modules at speeds beyond 667MHz are mostly intended for overclockers, as even modern chipsets do not officially support DDR2 memory at 800MHz or 1000MHz. Furthermore, JEDEC, the industry body that approves memory standards, has not officially certified DDR2 standards higher than 667MHz.

Crucial’s new memory modules are available immediately via the company’s online store.