GEIL, a maker of advanced memory modules for personal computers, introduced this week its Value Series memory modules rated to work at 800MHz. This is the first time when a memory maker supplier targets 800MHz DDR2 memory at the segment of affordable systems, as usually such speeds are associated with high-performance PCs.

GEIL’s Value Series PC2-6400 memory modules are guaranteed to function at 800MHz with CL5 5-5-15 timings with “1.8V ~ 2.4V” voltage, a substantial increase over default 1.8V voltage setting for DDR2 SDRAM. The modules are to be available in various capacities, including 512MB modules, 1GB modules as well as 1GB or 2GB dual-channel optimized kits. 

Additionally, GEIL introduced its Ultra Series PC2-5300 modules with CL3 4-4-8 latency settings with 2.1V ~ 2.4V voltage. The modules are claimed to work only on mainboards based on NVIDIA nForce4 Intel Edition chipsets. 

The first 800MHz DDR2 memory modules were first introduced this Spring targeting enthusiasts and overclockers. Since then, loads of manufacturers unveiled their 800MHz memory modules and several even started to sell 1000MHz (1GHz) memory modules appealing to hardcore overclockers, who push performance of their PCs to the very edge.

With the release of Value Series of PC2-6400 by GEIL pricing for 800MHz DDR2 products may decline. Still the exact pricing and availability timeframes for the new GEIL products are unclear.

While high-speed memory modules at 800MHz or 900MHz 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.