| Winchip PC3-10666 DDR3 1333MHz 64A0TRHN8G17E |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Memory | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Friday, 07 December 2007 | |
Winchip 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3System memory (RAM) manufacturers are in a tough position these days. Everybody wants the latest technology, which runs faster and operates more efficiently, but nobody wants the price tag that comes with it. Because DDR2 fabrication assembly plants are nearing obsolescence, the equipment depreciation has caused DDR2 prices to drop below the actual cost of production. This is bad news for the manufacturer, while conversely it means great savings to the consumer. So while manufacturers try to squeeze the last drops of revenue out of DDR2, along comes DDR3. Many of the readers will probably not consider DDR3 an important part of the hardware market just yet, and in a very few ways I can agree with them. It's expensive, and it's not going to change their system from a 2 to a 10. Nevertheless, I think that this argument only exists if you have missed the point: DDR3 is a more efficient replacement over DDR2 in many different ways, and high-speed DDR3 (presently anything over 1333MHz) is intended for overclockers and enthusiasts almost exclusively. In a year from now, expect to have DDR3 pressed into your new motherboard. However for today, the demand behind DDR3 and its high-speed variants is best met by the growing number of hardware enthusiasts which push their equipment well past the stock settings. Winchip Technologies isn't a household name with computer enthusiasts, but we hope to see that soon change. Benchmark Reviews continues our DDR3 Review Series, and today we focus on the system builder and enthusiast user. Many of the kits we have tested so far have helped achieve extremely uncommon overclock speeds right out of the box, and even though some of the kits aren't trying to set new speed records they still manage to impress us with their combination of performance and value. In this review we offer a product that is both affordable and performance orientated as the Winchip PC3-10666 DDR3 1333MHz 64A0TRHN8G17E RAM kit is tested.
All of this is great news for the overclocker, the hardcore gamer, and the hardware enthusiast; which has been the case every time high-end system memory parts arrive to the market. It wasn't all that long ago we all had SDRAM with 1 and 1.5CL timings, and then DDR arrived with CL3. Nobody complained then, so I'm not sure why they are starting now. It was the exact same story when DDR2 arrived to replace DDR; which nearly doubled the timings. So from a technical standpoint we should appreciate that the timings have only gradually increased with the clock speed, because history has proven this to be difficult. The Patriot PC3-15000 kit we reviewed not long ago presently holds the record for fastest DDR3 module produced. But to no surprise the price for this product alone is nearly enough to build a nice computer system. It is for this very reason that system builders have been slow to build off of the DDR3 platform: everything looks expensive. Well, with the Winchip PC3-10666 DDR3 1333MHz 64A0TRHN8G17E RAM kit that doesn't have to be the case. EDITORS NOTE: Benchmark Reviews has also published the article DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained About the company: Winchip Technologies, Inc.Winchip was founded in 1995 and worked for professional memory OEM. According to abundant OEM experience in motherboard, VGA card and laptop, we can satisfy with customer's need. Since FPM/EDD time, we started and established our company step by step and earned the public admiration. Winchip Features
64A0TRHN8G17E Specifications
Closer Look: Winchip PC3-10666The Winchip PC3-10666 CL8-8-8-15 DDR3 kit was developed to offer enthusiasts a memory solution that takes full advantage of the capabilities of the Intel P35, X38, and the upcoming P45/X48 Express chipsets. At 1333MHz, the Winchip 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 is presently considered the fastest step in the official JEDEC standard. Since this Winchip kit is rated to run CL8-8-8-15 timings, it is poised to provide enthusiasts with high-performance potential regardless of the bus speed.
Because this 64A0TRHN8G17E kit operates just beyond the 1.5V JEDEC specification at 1.65V, Winchip offers an over-sized heatspreader to keep this PC3-10666 module cool. Some manufacturers such as OCZ set the bar for appearance rather high with their Reaper HPC design, and then lift that bar even higher with their recently announced PC3-10666 ReaperX HPC Enhanced Bandwidth DDR3. I must confide a "secret" to you though, the extra cooling is a waste. I have touched overclocked Super Talent PC3-14400 while it was running at 1852MHz, and it barely felt warm to the touch.
The tall profile used on the 64A0TRHN8G17E kit can cause problems with certain low-profile builds, so system builders should be forewarned. In our recent reviews, the larger heatspreaders found on the Winchip PC2-9600 64A0TMTHE8G17C and Super Talent PC3-14400 W1800UX2GP kits have found themselves too tall to fit in a full range spectrum of system applications. This translates into compatibility in compact computer builds, such as shallow HTPC systems.
During normal operation, I discovered that the Winchip PC3-10666 CL8-8-8-15 DDR3 RAM kit generated a temperature which was hardly enough to warrant the enlarged heatspreaders. DDR3 inherently runs much cooler than DDR2, thanks to the reduced voltage requirements. Standard 1.8V DDR2 kits running at a lowly 800MHz can often be nearly impossible to touch during operation, but this isn't the case with DDR3. The drastic reduction in operating temperature is likely the result of the efficient DDR3 process and the (lower) 1.65V used with this 64A0TRHN8G17E kit.
For those readers who are familiar with the Winchip PC2-9600 64A0TMTHE8G17C DDR2 kit, there is not really much of a difference between this DDR3 design and past generations. Personally, I think that the introduction of a new design to coincide with a newly introduced standard is a good idea, and lets consumers know they are getting new technology. It just doesn't make sense to sell a new product in an old package. In the next section, Benchmark Reviews covers the finer points of DDR3 and the changes it brings. The overall progress of this DDR3 series is also updated, along with overclocking results. DDR3 Comparison Review ProgressUltimately DDR3 offers a faster design which allows all hardware enthusiasts to take advantage of it. Current high-speed DDR3 memory doesn't offer any benefit when installed into computers running at the stock JEDEC standard speeds of 400 (800), 533 (1066), 666 (1333), and 800 (1600). Instead, the new generation of DDR3 is meant to avoid a bottleneck between the CPU and the system memory; especially in highly overclocked scenarios. With the high-speed variety of DDR3, which presently includes everything beyond the highest 1333MHz JEDEC standard, you increase the Front Side Bus (FSB) and CPU clock speed without being forced to slow the system memory to remain stable. It should be noted that as of late October 2007 the JEDEC 1600MHz speed is still in draft in standard JESD79-3A, but once finalized high-speed DDR3 will include parts beyond this new speed. System Memory is labeled with a new generation for each interval of Front Side Bus development. In terms of DDR, or double data rate memory, the first generation was designed for 100 MHz to 200 MHz speeds (DDR-200 to DDR-400). Later, DDR2 arrived and started production at 266 MHz (DDR2-533) and officially ended (by JEDEC standards) at 400 MHz (DDR2-800). This is where DDR3 begins, starting with 533 MHz (DDR-1066), and scale up to 800 MHz (DDR3-1600). Each generation of DDR is more than just an update to the memory speed, it is also a more technologically advanced production process and a lower operating voltage and better heat dissipation. The previous generation of DDR2 is manufactured on a 110nm node, whereas the new DDR3 has receives a fab process shrink down to a 90nm node (although some use 80nm) with either 55/45nm prepared for later into 2008. Together, this all helps the hardware enthusiast reach higher clock speeds at the expense of higher latencies. This is why the new DDR3 generation of memory needs a significantly higher clock speed deliver better performance than the preceding generation of DDR2 technology.
In additional to the logically progressive changes, there are also improvements made to the architectural design of the memory. One particularly important change introduced with DDR3 is in the prefetch buffer: up from DDR2's four bits to an astounding eight bits per cycle. This translates to a full 100% increase in the prefetch payload; not just a small incremental improvement as there have been in the other area's. DDR2-400 Memory is equal in performance to DDR-400, which is why it must operate at DDR2-667 speed to carry incentive. The same scenario is true with DDR3 when compared to DDR2. While in theory DDR2-1066 offers the same performance as DDR3-1066, this generally means that DDR3 requires a DDR3-1333 speed to show any benefit over DDR2-800. Memories within the same generation (DDR/DDR2/DDR3) are downwards compatible, meaning that if you have DDR3-1600 RAM, you can configure it to operate at 1066 and 1333 MHz speeds. Unfortunately, without the proper chipset to support high-speed DDR3 memory, anything beyond DDR3-1333 (the fastest selectable memory multiplier setting with most motherboards) will be relegated to overclocking. Intel has designed the entire 3 Series of motherboards to be DDR3 compatible; but even though the G33, P35, X38, and the upcoming X48 chipsets all support the newer standard they are still encouraging DDR2 support. This is going to be a power struggle between standards until Intel launches yet another new Front Side Bus. But aren't we forgetting someone? Oh, that's right, Advanced Micro Devices. These days it's almost as if AMD has been late to dinner so often they don't even get a table setting anymore. While little brother (AMD) may have made claims back in 2006 to support DDR3 in their products this year, they appear to eating their words as the move has been stalled until the last half of 2008 when they will likely introduce the 45nm AM3. Which is what brings about the purpose of this article... is it all worth it? DDR3 Test Products:One of the nice benefits of owning a computer sales and service company is that I get to have my hands on a whole lot of inventory that I would never purchase for myself. The other benefit is that I get to make contact with many of the top names in the industry, and can often persuade them to lend us product for testing. Over the next several weeks, you can expect to see top-tier names like: Aeneon, Corsair, Crucial, GeIL, Kingston, SimpleTech, Mushkin, OCZ, Patriot, Winchip, and Super Talent in our featured DDR3 reviews for this mega-comparison round-up. The list below is just the beginning...
This review focuses on the Winchip PC3-10666 CL8-8-8-15 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 1333MHz 2x1GB 1.65V RAM Kit, but as soon as the individual series of reviews have been completed I will address the collective conclusions in a single finale article. The comparison results displayed below are updated in real time as they are completed.
Test System
Testing Methodology: DDR3 RAMBefore the testing really begins, there are several settings to be adjusted in the BIOS. Many combinations of the CPU's front side bus are matched to a specific memory multiplier, giving us the desired RAM (and CPU) operating speed. When high-speed DDR3 is tested, a 1:1 memory multiplier is combined with the highest CPU front side bus speed available to obtain baseline readings; the fastest FSB is presently 1333MHz found in select Intel Conroe and Kentsfield series desktop processors. When I first begin this process and start benchmarking for a baseline, the memory voltage and timing are always left at the manufacturer's default values.
After each and every change to the BIOS, the system is restarted and all RAM modules are automatically tested with MemTest86+ for one full pass. Since the modules are not yet overclocked, one pass is usually sufficient to determine if a bad part exists. Later, once I begin to overclock the memory, these tests are a good way of quickly pre-screening stable configurations. Once the test pass is complete, I move onto the synthetic benchmark tests. Here at Benchmark Reviews we use the following test suites and applications:
After all of the tests have been performed at the default memory clock speed (or highest JEDEC standard), which establishes the baseline reading for our comparisons, I then increase the front side bus to overclock the RAM without adding any additional voltage. My theory is this: a module that overclocks without additional voltage is going to perform better than a module which requires you to potentially damage it or void the warranty. Another way of looking at this is that if a module overclocks well without added voltage, it is likely that there will be more headroom if addition voltage is applied. I am fully aware that many sites turn up the voltage and apply dangerous amounts of power to the modules so that they can unlock that last megahertz; but if I begin down that road where will it end? Do I then start writing reviews where I apply liquid nitrogen cooling to the RAM? Do I volt-mod the motherboard and apply so much power I ruin expensive parts and equipment? In the end, I decided that overclocking will be done at the stock voltage for benchmarks, because I believe most enthusiasts are going to aim for the same goal. If on some rare occasion I determine that adding voltage would potentially return large performance gains, then I will add up to 0.2V to the default volt rating. In each synthetic benchmark test Windows XP was booted fresh and the application was opened. Task manager was then utilized to end the explorer.exe (Windows) process so that only the most essential services were running and a trim 16 processes total were consuming system memory. This procedure allowed the RAM to be as isolated as possible for our testing. Once the system was ready, I perform a single test-run of the benchmark, followed by three recorded tests. At the end of the series, I average the three results for the final score. Sometimes it is very difficult to get broad results between the memory modules tested, so we use several different speeds of memory from participating manufacturers. Benchmark Reviews is very serious about performance, which is why we test the products against as many benchmarks as reasonably possible. Not every test suite is effective in these reviews, and some often calculate processor and other system components into the score. This is what makes a RAM review difficult: unless all of the modules compared have the exact same rating and the CPU operates at the exact same speed for each and every test, the comparison is always going to be subjective. Test Results: 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3Testing RAM is a subject which requires a bit of technical knowledge. I have recently found a few other sites using nothing except video games to benchmark the RAM product they are reviewing, and this whole practice made no sense at all to me. Video games are GPU and CPU dependant, and RAM has a very small impact on framerate performance - as I will prove to you in my own tests. So keeping all of this in mind, I use the tools that belong in a system memory review; I use system memory tests for my benchmarks. Additionally, I don't spend three (usually tiny) pages discussing how I overclocked or how I made it to tighter timings. Every memory module comes with its very own limit, so one size doesn't fit all and this kit may not be the same as the next. As it turned out, the Winchip PC3-10666 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 1333MHz 2x1GB 1.65V RAM kit could overclock to only 1381MHz from the default 1333MHz without adding any additional voltage and keeping the default clock latency values of 8-8-8-15. Keep in mind that the default memory voltage is only 1.65V, which means that there is still a good amount of room for safe voltage increases, but I'm rather skeptical of the possibilities based on this very minimal natural overclock. Our first results were recorded from Lavalys EVEREST using the Cache and Memory Benchmark tool. The results shown below represent the average measurement obtained from the Winchip PC3-10666 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 kit at the 1:1 RAM-to-CPU multiplier of 1333MHz and the front side bus set to 333MHz to produce 1333MHz. After testing the default speed, I then test at the 1333 SPD-set baseline and then the overclocked speed of 1381MHz with a 345MHz FSB. The results for the average read, write, and copy bandwidth from EVEREST are displayed below.
Everest is among my most trusted benchmark programs, and the Cache and Benchmark tool is one of the more reliable in terms of consistent results. The chart above shows that while the difference between 1066MHz and 1333MHz are noticeable, the extra 48MHz over the stock 1333MHz speed amounted to nealy no measurable increase in added bandwidth; the most notable improvement is over the 1333MHz baseline where the read bandwidth improved by nearly 3%. With both CPU-Z and EVEREST reporting memory clocks at 8-8-8-15, I will believe that the ASUS P5K3 BIOS settings were configured correctly. Next up was the PassMark Performance Test benchmark which runs several different system memory tests in a row. Although some of the tests are specific to the performance of the RAM, others take the CPU clock speed and front side bus into account when developing a score. Most important are the memory read and write tests, and the score based tests are bias towards CPU speed and other hardware factors.
Passmark's Performance Test offers the most consistent memory test results of the entire group, with each of the test runs resulting in a score nearly identical to the previous test run. Ideally, all of these programs should be this consistent, but until they are I would consider Performance Test to be the best tool available for testing system memory bandwidth.
SiSoftware Sandra Lite XIIc offered identical results nearly the same in regards to increased performance; according to the chart above. Although the bandwidth tests are of a different nature, the improvement of 1381MHz over 1333MHz still resulted in nearly 2-3% in both the integer bandwidth and float buffered tests. The last of our memory testing applications to run is RightMark Memory Analyzer. This program may not offer the same level of consistent test results that Performance Test does, but instead it offers a more technical approach to testing the system memory. Plus, this is a Benchmark Reviews favorite - because it's free.
RightMark Memory Analyzer offer nearly the same tests that EVEREST and Performance Test have, and could be considered a bit redundant, but then again this is a technology article and us geeks like our redundancy. While it's true that Memory Analyzer hasn't been updated in over a year and seems out of development, it's still not a bad tool since it gives the second most consistent results every single run (unlike Sandra). It also offers an average "real" RAM read and write bandwidth result which most enthusiasts don't appreciate because it combines the results of dozens of tests. This is the layman's alternative to the Sciencemark v2.0 test suite, which is also gone but not forgotten.
Finally, I tested with the memory multiplier set at 1:1 for 1333MHz against the overclocked 1381MHz setting in the game World in Conflict. Realizing that games can be either CPU or GPU bound, this made it difficult for me to compare all of the memory sets since the clock speed of the processor would change as I adjust the front side bus for the desired RAM speed. In the end a 48MHz system memory improvement over the 1333MHz SPD setting gave the framerate in World in Conflict only 1 FPS more in the minimum and average framerate. This mediocre improvement is evidence of how insignificant the system memory speed is in relation to video game performance. But don't misunderstand me, because system memory could have a much larger impact on game performance if you use it to overclock the processor. This means that faster RAM allows for a faster CPU, and in turn produces a faster framerate. But in the world of system memory benchmarks, comparing the different sets of RAM in a game is pointless. Final ThoughtsWinchip was founded in 1995 and has been a large player in the Asian OEM market from the beginning. Their retail product offerings have been quite successful, with unique DDR2 and now DDR3 memory. The next goal of Winchip is to enter the European market with their retail products. They are also one of the few companies shipping DDR2 memory at 1200MHz in the PC2-9600 64A0TMTHE8G17C kit. Winchip is also looking for a distributor in Europe to break into the market. This first step is usually a very tough one, Their new brand name will still have to establish itself in Europe. All this takes quite some time, but if Benchmark Reviews continues to see solid products produced from their labs we will fully endorse their efforts. Some of the faster kits we reviewed are not going to be something system builders and casual users should purchase for vanilla systems. But this Winchip PC3-10666 CL8-8-8-15 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 1333MHz kit offers something for everyone. Make a visit to the Winchip website and you discover that they have a high-performance system memory solution for several different market segments. But let's not fool ourselves here, they are still after the cutting-edge group of hardcore gamers and serious hardware enthusiasts just as hardware enthusiasts and overclockers. 64A0TRHN8G17E ConclusionSince beginning this DDR3 series, the presentation rating has been replaced with a performance score. In our system memory reviews, we offer this score to represent the overclocking potential and memory timing capability of the product reviewed. Winchip's PC3-10666 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 kit managed to overclock from 1333 to only 1381MHz while still maintaining stable CL8-8-8-15 timings; not much of an achievement for 1333MHz DDR3. While the overclocking headroom is more than enough for most system builders to feel confident in the part, the overall performance leaves a lot to be desired.
When the appearance is rated I take into consideration what the product has, as well as what it could have. While Winchip designed this DDR3 kit with heatspreaders so large it would be very difficult to generate any excess heat, all while adding a small level of excitement to the overall product. I liked this unique heatspreader design the first time I saw it, and it still keeps me impressed. Every little detail helps add appeal. In regards to construction, the Winchip DDR RAM module offers average durability and can survive minor abuse thanks to a rugged heatspreader design. While the clip system mounts the clam-shell heatspreader with a strong pressure, the lack of a solid bond keeps them from being a permanent fixture. This kit could survive harsh abuse, but I still recommend you handle with care. Winchip's PC3-10666 64A0TRHN8G17ES kit doesn't measure up to the overclocking results of others in our series thus far. the 1333MHz 2x1GB 1.65V RAM kit has demonstrated conservative overclocking potential making it better suited for system builders. While High-Speed DDR3 is going to grow more popular with time, for now system builders and performance enthusiasts on a budget can take advantage of the dual-purpose functionality delivered by this 1333MHz DDR3 kit. Many readers aren't aware that DDR2 is being sold at or beneath the production cost; something manufacturers must to do to help pay off their soon to be obsolete fabrication units. 1333MHz DDR3 may not seem like much of an improvement, but it does open some doors to overclocking that DDR2 will never reach. At the time of this writing, Winchip has not yet placed the 64A0TRHN8G17E kit for sale with online retailers. Our Winchip contact confirmed that this kit is expected to retail near $350, which places it above the average for PC3-10666 kits. In conclusion, the Winchip PC3-10666 CL8-8-8-15 64A0TRHN8G17E DDR3 1333MHz RAM kit offers good entry-level performance for enthusiasts and system builders, and at the same time it opens a few front side bus opportunities that DDR2 never could. Thanks to faster 1333MHz performance these modules might just be the key to inspiring the masses to adopt the new standard. The Winchip PC3-10666 DDR3 1333MHz kit is good for newcomers to DDR3 who want to build a computer system based on the new DDR3 standard or simply push their system beyond the manufacturer's intended specifications. Pros:
+ 1333MHz of guaranteed available bandwidth Cons:
- Not a High Speed DDR3 rated product Ratings:
Final Score: 8.2 out of 10.Questions? Comments? Benchmark Reviews really wants your feedback. We invite you to leave your remarks in our Discussion Forum. EDITORS NOTE: Benchmark Reviews has also published the article DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained
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