OCZ Wants Additional Voltage for Memory

by Anton Shilov
11/25/2004 | 06:19 PM

Leading memory modules maker OCZ Technology has unveiled its new series of high-performance memory products aimed at hardcore overclockers and hardware enthusiasts. The new devices not only boast with enhanced potential for working at high speeds with low latencies, but also can boast with support for unprecedented memory voltage.

"The Voltage eXtreme series constitutes a special extremist series of modules specifically geared towards the high-end overclocking community with the necessary infrastructure in place to meet the power demands of these DIMMs. These modules are not for the faint-hearted average user since they require memory supply voltages of at least 3.0V to unleash their full performance potential,” said Dr. Michael Schuette, Director of Technology Development at OCZ Technology.

OCZ’s EL PC3200 Voltage eXtreme Gold Edition components are rated to operate at 400MHz clock-speed with CL2 3-3-8 timings at default 2.6V voltage, but once they are fed with 3.2V, they can operate with CL2 2-2-8 latency settings. OCZ said the modules will stay functional even with 3.5V voltage and will still be covered by the company’s lifetime warranty. The company, however, did not indicate which clock-speeds can achieve the EL PC3200 Voltage eXtreme Gold Edition products with boosted voltage.

The majority of mainboards cannot deliver more than 2.85V to memory, furthermore, not all mainboards can offer “clean” signal at high voltages because of not ideal power circuitry. To tackle the issue, OCZ introduced its OCZ DDR Booster Voltage Diagnostic Device with patent pending PowerClean Technology to allow users to supply cleaner power to their memory modules, resulting in more stable memory operation. OCZ DDR Booster also allows VDIMM adjustments up to 3.9V and is compatible with the majority of DDR1 mainboards.

OCZ supplies its EL PC3200 Voltage eXtreme Gold Edition memory modules in dual-channel optimized 1GB pairs as well as 512MB memory sticks.