X-bit labs

Kingston Achieves Unprecedented Memory Speeds with DDR3, Nvidia’s New Core-Logic.

Category: Memory

by Anton Shilov

[ 02/28/2008 | 06:08 PM ]

Kinston Technology, a leading supplier of memory modules, demonstrated on Thursday its ability to overclock its HyperX DDR3 memory modules to unprecedented clock-speed with the help of a mainboard running Nvidia Corp.’s next-generation core-logic that supports DDR3 memory.

The memory module maker overclocked its HyperX PC3-16000 (KHX16000D2K2/2G) memory modules from their default clock-speed of 2.0GHz to 2.13GHz using a mainboard powered by yet unannounced Nvidia nForce 790i core-logic for Intel Corp.’s processors. At press time it was unclear which latency and voltage settings were set.

The video of the demonstration that Kingston has uploaded shows that no special cooling systems were used to overclock the PC3-16000 memory modules by about 5% from their default clock-speed.

Back last year A-Data and Walton Chaintech introduced their 2GHz Vitesta DDR3-2000X and Apogee GT Blazer DDR3 2000 memory kits that could operate at 2.0GHz with 2.10V or 2.15V voltage setting. The ultra high-speed memory modules utilize 6-layer print-circuit boards, which are often used to manufacture rather expensive graphics cards and mainboards, which automatically makes such memory devices pretty expensive. In mid-February this year Corsair Memory also joined the 2GHz club with its new Dominator-series memory modules.

Back last year very few platforms could actually handle 2.0GHz memory speed and hardly all end-users who acquired such memory modules could actually make them work at their frequency. However, as Intel X48 and Nvidia nForce 790i SLI chipsets are approaching the market, it is expected that considerably more enthusiast-class platforms will be able to boast with 2.0GHz memory clock-speed.

Currently unannounced Kingston HyperX PC3-16000 (KHX16000D2K2/2G) memory modules will be available in Q1 2008.