| Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP RAM AXH860UD20-16H |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Memory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written by Olin Coles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday, 15 May 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aeneon AXH860UD20 XMP DDR3As a professional product analyst, there aren't too many people on this planet who test hardware to the limits that I do on a daily basis. While it would be foolish of me to expect people to accept everything I say without question, it would be foolish of people to discount my level of experience earned from constant exposure to the technology. With some hope, I expect that readers will appreciate the level of skill used to shape and fashion my professional opinion, and use it to guide them in making decisions on their purchase. This was a primary purpose for writing the article DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained. Of the many experiences I endure on a day to day basis, the most recent has involved testing two new bleeding-edge motherboards (X48 and NF790i chipsets) with high-speed DDR3 system memory. For the past several years Windows XP has been my Operating System of choice; and over time I have been able to trim down the system services and operate with a mere 16 processes running in the background. However, we are seeing the end of an exciting era, and the beginning of a much less enthusiastic one. Enter Windows Vista. Not long ago, Microsoft released its first service package for Windows Vista. Like most people, Benchmark Reviews believes that Microsoft has made a tradition out of releasing software before it's mature; and like most people, we wait for that first service pack to release before we give it a try. So when Vista SP1 was made available, we jumped at the opportunity to begin publishing test results with the new Operating System. My first experiences however, were not so positive. To begin this (rant), I should confide that Windows Vista is not a new product to me, and that I have not been pleased with the Operating System since I first laid hands to it back in beta testing. Nevertheless, times are changing and Windows Vista is here to stay. So with a degree of optimism, I used two brand new Raptor hard drives to load Windows Vista Home Ulitimate SP1 and Windows XP Pro SP3. Both of these Operating Systems shared the exact same processor, motherboard, memory, and video card; thus they were identical in hardware configuration and separated by only the Operating System software. Testing with Windows XP Pro SP3 was no different than it has been over the past few years, and my system operates with incredible snap. The performance and test results were exactly the same as I had seen over all of my past tests. Good enough, I though, and so I proceeded to begin testing on Windows Vista. This is where the story really begins, and why this introduction has so much to do with a 4GB system memory kit.
While XP is confined to DirectX 9, Windows Vista offers the "improved" DirectX 10 graphical application interface; so I didn't expect for a moment that the graphical benchmarks would be at all comparable. But what about general user experience, such as installing a program or running a video game? Well, this is where my eager experience turns to total disappointment with Microsoft. Without going into the details of why Windows Vista should have never been made into a 32-bit Operating System, I can safely say that Microsoft has given the hardware industry good reason to feed its pig of an Operating System nothing but the finest high-performance hardware. The very first thing I noticed during testing was the incredibly sluggish performance compared to Windows XP. Windows Vista caches startup programs so boot times are decent, and it indexes every single file (if you let it) for faster searches, but if you want a genuinely fast Operating System, you had better be prepared to change your idea of what "sufficient hardware" is. Programs and games alike suffered from poor performance, and at the end my testing I was very much convinced that the 2 GB of system memory used in Windows XP was simply not enough to enjoy (or cope with) Windows Vista. It was time to step it up, and the first thing that needed to be done was to upgrade the RAM. Installing 4 GB worth of Aeneon AXH860UD20-16H DDR3-1600 XMP RAM worked like magic, and would end yet another great era: the usefulness of 2 GB RAM kits in a modern Operating System. Benchmark Reviews continues our DDR3 Review Series, and today we focus on the system builder and enthusiast users who will most benefit from the additional system memory capacity. About the company: AeneonAeneon memory products are offered by Qimonda (www.qimonda.com), one of the world's leading memory companies for the retail and channel markets. Renowned for excellence in product quality, high performance and early availability, Aeneon products are based on leading-edge German technology and reliability. The broad portfolio of Aeneon memory products includes DRAM modules for notebooks, PCs and servers, as well as Flash-based products such as USB sticks, SD cards and microSD cards. Aeneon products are 100 % tested and certified to meet the latest industry standards. Working closely with top motherboard manufacturers, Aeneon offers high-quality DRAM modules that work excellently with major desktop PC and notebook systems, as well as servers.
Aeneon is Qimonda's channel and retail brand committed to maximizing customer satisfaction by working with an international network of distributors, resellers, e-retailers and system integrators to meet worldwide demand. Our goal is to build a world-class brand with a clear and focused quality product portfolio that adapts to your needs, served through our dedicated partners. For more information, please visit the Qimonda Aeneon web site.
Get ready for the future. Aeneon is proud to introduce new DDR3 DRAM modules for the new wave of DDR3 motherboards. As the next-generation memory technology, DDR3 offers higher performance with low power consumption over the current DDR2 memory standard. With the emergence of increasingly powerful multi-core processors and demanding graphics processors, highspeed memory technology is needed to meet the demands for a high-definition computing experience. The single module is tested to run at rated speed timings and voltage setting. The Dual Channel Kit comes with two identical modules tested together in DUAL CHANNEL MODE at rated speed timings and voltage in several platforms. Supports XMP - Extreme Performance Profile on Intel X38/X48 platforms. XTUNE Features
Aeneon DRAM memory modules are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities applying the latest DRAM technology and are the best choice for the price/performance-orientated buyers within the White Box segment. Aeneon provides a full range of memory module solutions for the mainstream industry-standard PCs and Notebooks. XTUNE DDR3 series is the Aeneon solution for the latest DDR3 platforms addressing the highest performance needs as well as fast, stable and reliable system operation.
AXH860UD20-16H Specifications
Closer Look: Aeneon PC3-12800System 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. 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 Aeneon PC3-12800 DDR3 1333MHz RAM kit that doesn't have to be the case. The new Aeneon PC3-12800 XTune Edition was developed to offer enthusiasts a memory solution that takes full advantage of the capabilities of the Intel 3- and 4-series chipsets. At 1600 MHz, this XTune DDR3 kit is presently considered the fastest step in the official JEDEC standard. Since the AXH860UD20-16H kit is rated to run CL9-9-9-28 timings, it's poised to provide enthusiasts with high-performance potential regardless of the bus speed.
Since this in not high-speed DDR3 that operates beyond the 1.5V JEDEC specification, Aeneon has no reason to use anything more than the standard aluminum heat spreader for their AXH760UD00-13GA98X module. 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, and it hardly felt warm. The small profile can be helpful to system builders, too. 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 higher compatibility for the XTune in compact computer builds, such as shallow HTPC systems. During normal operation, I discovered that the 4 GB Aeneon 1600 MHz SDRAM kit generated a temperature which was just barely lukewarm to the touch. Even in the very best DDR2 kits running at a low 800MHz, it is nearly impossible to touch the module during operation. This drastic reduction in operating temperature is likely the result of the efficient DDR3 process or possibly the 1.5V used with this PC3-12800 kit.
Aeneon has been quick to introduce several different RAM module designs over the past few years (counting some of the Qimonda DDR2 SKU's), and it seems that the Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP RAM Kit AXH860UD20-16H is not really all that different when compared to the appearance of past generations. Personally, I think that the introduction of XTune to coincide with the new DDR3 standard was 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. Introduction to DDR3The 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 1600MHz JEDEC standard, you increase the Front Side Bus (FSB) and CPU clock speed without being forced to slow the system memory to remain stable. Here are a the primary benefits of DDR3 SDRAM: Features:
Improvements:
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 generally 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. 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 Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP RAM Kit AXH860UD20-16H, however other individual reviews have been completed as part of our DDR3 Review Series. The comparison results displayed below are updated in real time as tests are completed.
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? Benchmark Reviews has gone to great lengths to answer this question in our DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained article. Testing Methodology: DDR3 RAM
Before 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. Test System
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: AXH860UD20-16HTesting 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 to me at all. 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 benchmarking applications. 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 Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP RAM AXH860UD20-16H kit could overclock to from 1600 MHz to an a noteworthy 1780 MHz without adding any additional voltage and keeping the default clock latency values of 9-9-9-28. Keep in mind that the default memory voltage is only 1.5V, which means that there is still a good amount of room for safe voltage increases. 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 4 GB Aeneon DDR3 kit. After testing the default speed of 1600 MHz, I then overclocked the speed to 1780 MHz with a 445 MHz 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 the extra 180 MHz over the stock 1600 MHz speed amounted to a sizable increase in added bandwidth; the most notable improvement is over the 1600 MHz baseline where the the read bandwidth improved by nearly 13%. With both CPU-Z and EVEREST reporting memory clocks at 9-9-9-28, I will believe that the Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 BIOS settings were configured correctly for the AXH860UD20-16H kit. 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 1780 MHz over 1600 MHz still resulted in 13% 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 the Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP RAM kit 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 180 MHz system memory improvement over the 1600 MHz default speed setting gave the frame rate in World in Conflict only 1 FPS more in the average frame rate. 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. Obviously, if you are using Aeneon PC3-10666 RAM, you aren't going to keep the CPU at the stock speed anyway; and you probably use a video card that more than makes up for the very small gains of overclocked system memory. This means that faster RAM allows for a faster CPU, and in turn produces a faster frame rate. But in the world of system memory benchmarks, comparing the different sets of RAM in a game is pointless. XTune XMP Final ThoughtsQimonda has a very strong consumer base in the European market, and Aeneon is positioned to do very well for performance system builders and enthusiasts. Since early adopters of DDR3 will most likely want larger memory capacity and higher speeds, Aeneon hits the target sweet-spot by offering excellent clock speed matched to a large 4 GB capacity and decent pricing.
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 Aeneon DDR3-1600 4GB XMP kit offers something for everyone, and delivers more than you bargain for. Make just one visit to either the Qimonda or Aeneon website and you discover that they have a system memory solution for every market segment imaginable. But let's not fool ourselves here, they are still after the cutting-edge group of hardcore gamers and serious hardware enthusiasts just as much now as they have been after system builders in the past. The Aeneon XTune 1600 MHz XMP DDR3 kit may be multi-purpose, but with plenty of headroom for hardware enthusiasts and overclockers can take advantage of the improved bandwidth. In my testing, I found the XMP function to make it absolutely simple for the most novice overclocker to immediately benefit from the extra performance unlocked with the pre-configured profile. Some hard-line overclockers will refuse to have their systems set on 'auto-pilot' for fear that they'll lose control, but since this kit overclocks to 1780 MHz without any additional voltage applied it should please both crowds. AXH860UD20-16H DDR3 ConclusionSince beginning this DDR3 series, we decided that the old presentation rating ahould be replaced with performance. In our system memory reviews, we offer this score to represent the overclocking potential and memory timing capability of the product reviewed. Aeneon's AXH860UD20-16H kit managed to overclock from 1600 to 1780 MHz while still maintaining 1.5 volts; an impressive achievement for any DDR3 kit beyond 1333 MHz. While the overclocking headroom is more than enough for most performance system builders, latency timings are slightly higher than we've seen in out PC3-12800 kits; however this is primarily because of the high capacity which creates a longer fly-by control time.
When the appearance is rated I take into consideration what the product has, as well as what it could have. While the Aeneon XTune AXH860UD20-16H kit doesn't generate nearly any excess heat, the black heat-spreaders accomplish their duty while adding a small level of excitement to the overall product. Aeneon has done a good job of dressing up an otherwise uneventful looking product with colorful lettering. Every little detail helps add appeal. In regards to construction, Aeneon continues the legacy of producing well-protected RAM with the ability to survive minor abuse, just like their parent division Qimonda has done for years. The solid bond made to the RAM modules will give this AXH860UD20-16H kit rugged durability because the heatspreaders are a permanent fixture. This kit could survive harsh abuse, but I still recommend you handle with care. So far in our series, the Aeneon XTune PC3-12800 CL9-9-9-28 4 GB RAM kit has demonstrated considerable overclocking potential. Based on our results, this kit currently earns the #2 position in our overall-best overclocking kits. 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 1600 MHz 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. 1600 MHz DDR3 may not seem like much of an improvement, but it does open some doors to overclocking that DDR2 will never reach, in addition to many other features we describe in our DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained article. At the time of this writing, the 4 GB Aeneon XTune 1600 MHz DDR3 PC3-12800 SDRAM kit is just reaching some of the larger online stores. Until this SKU is listed on our price comparison tool, you can search for "Aeneon XTUNE" memory kits. In summary of my experience with the Aeneon 4 GB PC3-12800 XMP DDR3 SDRAM Kit AXH860UD20-16H, I can conclude that this will be an excellent 1600 MHz kit for hardware enthusiasts wishing to overclock their system to its limit, or the performance-level system builder wanting to take advantage of the industries highest FSB setting. While the CL9 latency is not what I would consider great, I have to remember that higher capacity DDR3 require such long 'Fly-by' command times. Overclocking this kit was made simple by the added XMP functionality, but manually configuring the settings allowed much more performance. Ultimately 4 GB system memory kits will replace 2 GB version, especially as Windows Vista is adopted by users. Pros:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dual channel kits are pair-tested on latest platforms
