Bandwidth and Memory Scaling
As you saw in the overclocking graph on page 5, the OCZ DDR3-1800 reached DDR3-2040. This is slightly higher than the Super Talent which reached DDR3-2008 and it is the highest memory speed we have yet reached with DDR3. To better understand memory performance at speeds from DDR3-800 to DDR3-2040 we compared standard or buffered bandwidth on the OCZ PC3-14400 at all standard speeds. The processor in each case was running at 3.0GHz as detailed in the memory test configuration on page 3. The OCZ bandwidth was compared to all DDR3 memory we have tested to date.
At DDR3-800 and 1066 the Elpida LL based Kingston is the best performer in the standard Sandra bandwidth test. However, at 1333 the lead shifts to the OCZ DDR3-1800 where it remains through the highest speed that could be reached with DDR3. It is interesting that the Elpida is very efficient in DDR2 overlap speeds but then loses steam at higher DDR3-only frequencies.
The new Z9 DDR3 memory owns the benchmarks from 1333 on. The Super Talent set new timing records and the OCZ extends that a bit further. The aggressive OCZ binning allows slightly faster timings at all speeds from 1333 to 2000+. In fact we were more than surprised that timings of 5-5-4-12 were stable with the OCZ PC3-14400 at 1333 speed. The Micron Z9 memory chips achieve high speeds and particularly tight timings on the OCZ memory. The TEAM memory is also based on Micron Z9 chips, and it competes well in the range it covers. Unfortunately, the binning on the TEAM has produced a memory that tops out about 100 MHz lower than the best Z9 DIMMs.
We also test memory with buffering schemes like MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, etc, turned off. While these features do provide apparent improved bandwidth, the unbuffered bandwidth tends to correlate better with real-world gaming and application performance. Unbuffered performance does not always follow the patterns of buffered memory performance.
Unbuffered results show the same basic pattern as buffered results. At 800, 1066, and now 1333 speed the best unbuffered bandwidth is achieved with the Kingston LL memory. 1333 is neck and neck with the OCZ DDR3-1800 being reviewed. Above 1333 OCZ and other Micron Z9-based memory are the best performers. If you are looking for raw speed and performance it is increasingly clear that DIMMs based on Micron Z9 memory chips are the fastest DDR3 you can currently buy. There will still be variations based on the DIMM Manufacturers' experience and expertise in binning, PCB construction, and SPD programming.
As you saw in the overclocking graph on page 5, the OCZ DDR3-1800 reached DDR3-2040. This is slightly higher than the Super Talent which reached DDR3-2008 and it is the highest memory speed we have yet reached with DDR3. To better understand memory performance at speeds from DDR3-800 to DDR3-2040 we compared standard or buffered bandwidth on the OCZ PC3-14400 at all standard speeds. The processor in each case was running at 3.0GHz as detailed in the memory test configuration on page 3. The OCZ bandwidth was compared to all DDR3 memory we have tested to date.
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| Click to enlarge |
At DDR3-800 and 1066 the Elpida LL based Kingston is the best performer in the standard Sandra bandwidth test. However, at 1333 the lead shifts to the OCZ DDR3-1800 where it remains through the highest speed that could be reached with DDR3. It is interesting that the Elpida is very efficient in DDR2 overlap speeds but then loses steam at higher DDR3-only frequencies.
The new Z9 DDR3 memory owns the benchmarks from 1333 on. The Super Talent set new timing records and the OCZ extends that a bit further. The aggressive OCZ binning allows slightly faster timings at all speeds from 1333 to 2000+. In fact we were more than surprised that timings of 5-5-4-12 were stable with the OCZ PC3-14400 at 1333 speed. The Micron Z9 memory chips achieve high speeds and particularly tight timings on the OCZ memory. The TEAM memory is also based on Micron Z9 chips, and it competes well in the range it covers. Unfortunately, the binning on the TEAM has produced a memory that tops out about 100 MHz lower than the best Z9 DIMMs.
We also test memory with buffering schemes like MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, etc, turned off. While these features do provide apparent improved bandwidth, the unbuffered bandwidth tends to correlate better with real-world gaming and application performance. Unbuffered performance does not always follow the patterns of buffered memory performance.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Unbuffered results show the same basic pattern as buffered results. At 800, 1066, and now 1333 speed the best unbuffered bandwidth is achieved with the Kingston LL memory. 1333 is neck and neck with the OCZ DDR3-1800 being reviewed. Above 1333 OCZ and other Micron Z9-based memory are the best performers. If you are looking for raw speed and performance it is increasingly clear that DIMMs based on Micron Z9 memory chips are the fastest DDR3 you can currently buy. There will still be variations based on the DIMM Manufacturers' experience and expertise in binning, PCB construction, and SPD programming.
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Lonyo - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - link
Any chances of a power consumption comparison between DDR2 and DDR3?DDR3 is supposed to run at a lower voltage, so in theory it might use a little less power. Would be interesting to see if there is any difference (DDR2/3-800 would probably be best, since that's a standard speed for both).
yyrkoon - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - link
Does anyone even sell a DDR3 capable motherboard yet ? If so, is anyone even using DDR3 ? Personally, I think latencies need to come down, Prices need to come down,etc. Memory companies are *claiming* they are taking a beating in the market for DDR2 (claiming all time low, and losing money . . .).Personally, I think you reap what you soe, and they got what they deserved for their early market prices.Anyhow, short and skinny, I think *we* all need to take things slowly this time around, OEMS, buyers, and reviewers . . .
yyrkoon - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - link
By the way, when I asked if anyone is even making a DDR3 motherboard yet, I was pretty much joking. Obviously if you're testing it, there has to be some form of a platform availible.You know, I cannot help but think that DDR2 was not quite 'finished' yet, and I do not understand the *need* for DDR3(unless OEMs are looking to rape our wallets again . . .). Of course, if 'Joe blow enthusiast' HAS to HAVE DDR3 memory because it gives him/her an extra 4-13 FPS in an outdated game at 2-3x the cost of DDR2 . . . well... lets just say that I expect that OCZ, Geil, and the rest would be more than happy to keep you poorer ;)
Some of us actually like to upgrade smart, using as many parts from older machines as possible to save money for other things. This sort of marketing strategy makes it hard on us who would like to do so while keeping our system upgraded once a year or so. I just got over having to buy memory, CPU, and a motherboard the last 'technolgy' advance, and I really do not wish to repeat the process.
asliarun - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - link
Man, I never understand viewpoints such as yours. This is a technology article on the latest DDR3 advancement, and is not marketing propoganda urging you to go out and buy it NOW. Intel's latest CPU chipsets (P35/P38, IIRC) all support DDR3 (along with DDR2), so it's not like DDR3 is exactly vaporware. Only AMD is not supporting DDR3 right now because firstly, they will need to upgrade their integrated uncore memory controller, and secondly, they tend support upcoming technologies much later than Intel. Furthermore, DDR3 is definitely the future as it has much more headroom than DDR2, and is designed to work at lower voltages.In any case, my point is that we're discussing a new memory standard technology which is already in the market and is slowly being adopted. Initially, it WILL be highly priced like any other technology until volume manufacturing kicks in. However, if you are a price sensitive customer instead of a "Joe blow enthusiast" (frankly, like most of us), no one is forcing you to replace your RAM with DDR3 TODAY, least of all this AT article. Your logic of not adopting DDR3 simply because it is initially expensive and because it only gives "4-13fps increase" is however, absurd. By the same token, there is no need for ANY technology improvement, especially those that *only* result in an incremental improvement.
As a footnote, you should be grateful for all the "Joe blow enthusiasts" in this world instead of heaping scorn on them. All said and done, you and I ARE freeloading on him, as he's the one who's financing our cut rate technology purchases.
GlassHouse69 - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - link
Oh you think so?hm.... i wonder how much Anandtech/daily got for reviewing this... hm.....