Buffalo Technology, a leading maker of memory modules from Austin, Texas, recently started to sell its Firestix memory modules based on DDR technology able to hit the world’s highest speed bin for this type of memory, confirming that the technology considered to be outdated can still hit new speed milestones.

Buffalo’s W1U70VEA-512ZZZ 512MB memory modules can be clocked at up to 700MHz with CL3 5-5-9 latency settings, which are not very aggressive and are typical for JEDEC, the memory standard committee, certified modules only rated to officially work at 400MHz.

To achieve the world’s highest speed for DDR memory, the new Firestix modules have to be installed into an advanced mainboard that can supply 2.9V voltage to memory modules. Not all mainboards can supply enough power to such memory products, the majority can only provide up to 2.8V.

Such memory modules are intended for overclockers who push their computers to the very limits. Usually, to make the memory operate at 600MHz or more, microprocessors and other system components should also be overclocked.

A set consisting of two Firestix 512MB memory modules rated to work at 700MHz can be acquired for approximately $270 (¥31 800) in several stores in Tokyo, Japan, reports Akiba PC Hotline web-site. 

Previously, the highest-performing DDR memory modules were OCZ Technology Group’s PC4800 Platinum Elite Edition products with 600MHz clock-speed and CL2.5 4-4-10 latency settings.