Welcome to the Club: OCZ Ready to Go with 2GHz, 2.1GHz Memory Modules

Although Corsair and Kingston are talking about 2.13GHz DDR3 memory modules, there are very few module suppliers who can offer even 2GHz products. At CeBIT 2008 OCZ Technology, a leading memory vendor, unveiled its new memory solutions that are capable of operating at 2000MHz and 2100MHz and, obviously, can be pushed even higher in certain cases.

OCZ's Flex 2 DDR3 PC3-16800 memory module

The highest-performance memory PC3-16800 2GB kit from OCZ Technology will utilize Flex 2 extreme liquid convection cooling system with possibility to be attached to a water pump and will be clocked at 2100MHz with CL10 10-10 latency settings. It is interesting to note that due to relatively long timings OCZ managed to keep voltage at 1.9V, below 2.0V or even 2.1V that some memory module makers use for their 2GHz devices.

OCZ's Flex 2 DDR3 PC3-16800 memory modules' packaging

Another extreme-speed option from OCZ will be 1GB PC3-16000 SLI memory modules rated to run at 2.0GHz with CL9 8-8 timings. These modules will come featuring OCZ’s usual extreme thermal convection heatspreaders that are not really bulky. Besides, the 2.0GHz modules will feature enhanced performance profiles (EPP) 2.0 serial presence detect (SPD) settings that Nvidia developed for DDR3 memory modules which will work with Nvidia nForce 790i SLI platforms.

 

Demonstration of OCZ's XTC 2 DDR3 PC3-16000 memory modules

Some may argue that latency settings of OCZ’s PC3-16800 are too high (CL10 10-10) and actual performance of them will be lower than that of similar products from Corsair (CL8 8-8-24) and Kingston (CL9 9-9-27). Still, it should be kept in mind that boosted voltages mean shorter life expectancy of memory chips, which may be a problem for those, who want to use them for many years to come, but is definitely not an issue for hardcore enthusiasts who change computer components once a year.