Super Talent & TEAM: DDR3-1600 Is Here!

Conclusion

In our review of the Kingston low-latency DDR3-1375 we expressed surprise that Kingston had managed to improve memory performance so soon after DDR3 was introduced to the market. Our DDR3 test DIMMs for the launch were rated DDR3-1066 7-7-7-21, and they would overclock to the new DDR3-1333 speed at 9-9-9-25 timings. We expected the quick introduction of DDR3-1333 modules at 9-9-9 timings, since one of the reasons for owning a P35 board is to use memory faster than the common DDR2-1066.

Instead a week later, Kingston introduced DDR3 memory that blew though DDR3-1333 to DDR3-1500 at fast 7-7-7 timings. We did not expect true lower latency DDR3 for several months or more. The Kingston memory changed the DDR3 rules and every memory vendor started contacting us with announcements of lower latency DDR3 that reached higher speeds.

Many enthusiasts were impressed with DDR3-1500 at 7-7-7 timings, as they should have been. However, some held out for the Holy Grail of DDR3-1600 or DDR3-1666 that could run at 7-7-7 timings. That, said the savviest computer enthusiasts on many forums, would be reason enough to move to DDR3 instead of DDR2 - even though it is currently the more expensive memory. We agreed with all this chatter, but we expected the requirement for DDR3-1600 7-7-7 might delay the movement to DDR3 until sometime later next year.

Fortunately for all of us, Micron did listen to what computer enthusiasts were hoping for, but they did not listen to our expected timetables. Here, about as fast as we could dream about it, Micron has introduced their new Z9 memory chips with breathtaking speeds and an almost never-ending ability to handle voltage. We don't know how Micron continues to do this memory after memory, but someone in that company certainly knows how to design enthusiast memory.

The first two new kits out of the gate are from Super Talent and TEAM Group. Comparing the two in this review showed both set new standards for speed and low latency for DDR3. Both broke the 1600 barrier at better than 7-7-7 timings, namely 7-6-5 at a moderate and easily tolerated 1.80V. Both continue on and break through DDR3-1666 at the same speed. The TEAM tops out at a new record DDR3-1900, but the Super Talent continues on to DDR3-2000 at still respectable 9-8-7-18 timings, but at a higher 2.25 volts, a voltage earlier DDR3 couldn't dream of handling. Fortunately the Micron Z9 chips seem to handle 2.25V and 2.3V just fine, as long as they are cooled a bit.

We were completely surprised by the Kingston low-latency just a few weeks ago; the Micron Z9 chips completely rewrite the enthusiast market. Unless memory companies quickly find ways to produce very fast DDR2 that runs very well on P35 boards DDR2 will quickly become second-rate memory. We hear from memory vendors that better DDR2 is on the way, but we have to wonder if these new DDR3 DIMMs that do DDR3-1600, 1666, and even DDR3-2000 with ease have not changed the memory game beyond recognition. If you are a full-blown computer enthusiast, once you see DDR3-1666 and DDR3-2000 running on the P35 you will want it, and you will not want to settle for DDR2 at 1066.

We can also think of one huge reason not to buy the new DDR3-1600 DIMMs. They are very expensive and difficult to justify strictly on a price basis. At two to three times (or even more) the price of excellent DDR2 parts they are a tough money pill to swallow. However, few computer parts offer the kind of breakthrough performance advantage we see in these new DDR3-1600 kits.

Expensive or not, the DIMMs based on the Z9 Micron chips will definitely have a profound impact on whatever memory you buy in your future. The entry price for decent but pedestrian DDR3 will drop. So will the prices of decent 1500 7-7-7 DDR3, which will be good news for new system builders or upgraders. Any memory that targets the enthusiast will have to compete effectively with the performance of these new DDR3-1600 or DDR3-2000 DIMMs or they will not sell in the market place. Every memory manufacturer trying to produce a new DDR3 memory chip has had their design requirements raised at least two-fold. If anyone else can approach the performance of Micron Z9 chips the prices will drop, and everyone will be trying to match or surpass these chips. If other chip makers can't appraoch what Micron has accomplished here, the Z9 prices will likely remain stubbornly high.

As an enthusiast you may love the performance leap the new DDR3-1600 kits have dropped on the market today, but hate the fact that you will have to lay out a lot more money for new memory to get the best. Best is so much better today that second best doesn't look that attractive. However whether you consider expensive DDR3-2000 the best thing since sliced-bread or the worst of wretched excess, your future memory purchases will be influenced by these new memory chips.

Real DDR3-1600, DDR3-1666, and DDR-2000 parts at low latencies are exciting news, but it is just the beginning. OCZ is already announcing even faster parts based on special binning of these new Micron Z9 chips. Corsair, Kingston, and every other maker of enthusiast memory will have kits based on these new chips almost instantly. Some will be better than others, and we will likely see even better performance as these new variations are introduced. The danger of course is if everyone wants these new DIMMs, the chips may be in short supply which would make them even more expensive.

Super Talent and TEAM Group did a great job getting these two new fast DDR3-1600 kits to market. You will now see a flood of memory announced that will feature memory performance specifications we only dreamed of a few short weeks ago. The real winner in this round, of course, is Micron ... and you!