OCZ Blade DDR3 PC3-16000 6GB Kit
Introduction
Published: 25th May 2009 | Source: OCZ | Price: £344.99 |
Introduction
OCZ have been dipping there fingers into many different pies lately venturing into territories not normally associated with a premium memory manufacturer. Power Supply Units, D.I.Y notebooks, cooling products as well as being a leader in SSD technology are just some of the products OCZ currently offer. So then it remains to be seen if OCZ still have what it takes to make Ultra high Performance memory or have they dropped the ball and fallen behind in the highly competitive, top end performance memory market?
OCZ aim to answer this question with the extreme bandwidth, low latency 'Blade' series, in this case the OCZ DDR3 PC3-16000 Blade Series Low Voltage Triple Channel 6GB kit. This set of memory is specifically designed for use on Intel i7 X58 setups (although they also make Blade kits specific to older chipsets) which runs at an extremely low latency of 7-8-7 and a blistering speed of 2000MHz! Perhaps best of all, the voltage required to run at this speed is no different from lesser 'high-end' kits at 1.65v. This makes the Blade kit the fastest kit currently available in a mass produced state on what is the standard accepted Vdimm of most performance DDR3 kits on the market today. However, because of this kits ultra fast speed, each kit is speed binned using the latest technology to ensure every single kit out of OCZ's doors meets your stringent standards. All you need to reach the advertised frequency is a CPU and motherboard capable of attaining this ultra bandwidth.
The new blade kit also has a new set of clothing in the form of some sleek black heat spreaders which form an interesting design I will investigate further overleaf. Sadly, there is no included memory fan cooler which is dissappointing considering the price, especially when you consider there are cheaper kits which include this accessory. It remains to be seen though if any extra cooling is needed to keep the Blade kits temperatures in check, something I will look at in terms of memory stability in the testing procedure later on in the review.
Here's what OCZ have to say about their flagship product:
The Blade Series Triple Channel Memory kit is the latest maximum-performance RAM designed specifically for the Intel® Core™ i7 processor / Intel® X58 Express Chipset. At DDR3-2000, CL 7-8-7, the Blade Series harnesses industry-leading speeds at the low voltage required to safely run Core i7’s triple channel mode. With the ideal combination of all the factors that formulate the ultimate memory solution— density, speed, latency, and an effective new cooling design—the Blade Series is guaranteed to please enthusiasts looking to take the hottest Intel platform to new heights.
Whether seeking maximum frame rates in the latest PC titles or yearning for the highest benchmark record, the Blade Series was developed for gamers and overclockers looking to make the most of their high-performance systems.
Whether seeking maximum frame rates in the latest PC titles or yearning for the highest benchmark record, the Blade Series was developed for gamers and overclockers looking to make the most of their high-performance systems.
Specification
The following specification was taken directly from the OCZ product page:
Bandwidth: 2000MHz DDR3
Latency: CL 7-8-7-20
Availability: 6GB (3x2048) Triple Channel Optimised Kits
Buffered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Vdimm: 1.65 Volts
Socket: 240 Pin DIMM
Cooling: Pure Aluminum Heatsink
Warranty: OCZ Lifetime Warranty
Latency: CL 7-8-7-20
Availability: 6GB (3x2048) Triple Channel Optimised Kits
Buffered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Vdimm: 1.65 Volts
Socket: 240 Pin DIMM
Cooling: Pure Aluminum Heatsink
Warranty: OCZ Lifetime Warranty
So with extra tight timings, unheard of at it's rated speed of 2000MHz, fresh new heatsinks all running with a conservative 1.65v, it seems OCZ certainly still have the minerals to produce some class leading memory. Let's see if they can present it as such...
Most Recent Comments
Re run it in what way? You can't have DDR3 running at 2000MHz with the CPU at stock speed I'm afraid. It's either 2180 or 1866:(.
Fantastic review mate and a scrummy looking piece of kit. Luff OCZ RAM (8GB myself :p)
Re run it in what way? You can't have DDR3 running at 2000MHz with the CPU at stock speed I'm afraid. It's either 2180 or 1866:(.
Aaah, fair shout, hadn't thought of that. Just thought it skewed the results, I should have put my brain in gear :damn:
lol, no worries m8. Tbh it's a pita reviewing kits that need the CPU overclocking to attain the speed required as you are correct, it does skew the results slightly hence I put the disclaimer in there.
Still, the bandwidth results speak for themselves ;).
Still, the bandwidth results speak for themselves ;).
sweet looking and performing set of sticks :yumyum:
pitty they don't add some kind of 'dominator fan'-like thing
pitty they don't add some kind of 'dominator fan'-like thing
Yeah that is a shame as the Dominator coolers are sweet pieces of kit. I would maybe like to have seen one of OCZ's XTC coolers included with a nice black paint job.
Hate to seem ungrateful (which I am not, since I loved this review), but I would be very interested to know if you could drop the latency at all while retaining the stock MHz, or see how much you would have to drop the MHz to get some lower timings. Just for the sake of completeness.
Shame we can't find out what chips it is running. Anyone happen to know by any chance?
Shame we can't find out what chips it is running. Anyone happen to know by any chance?
IC's used are reportedly Elpida MNH-E Hyper which are the best around at present.
I did try lowering the timings further but not by lowering bandwidth (which defeats the object of high speed ram imo). Sadly they wouldn't run at anything lower than the stock CAS7 @2000MHz.
I did try lowering the timings further but not by lowering bandwidth (which defeats the object of high speed ram imo). Sadly they wouldn't run at anything lower than the stock CAS7 @2000MHz.
http://www.elpida.com/en/index.html
Not as well known as other memory companies.
I can verify that their "el-cheapo" memory rocks [IMG]http://forum.overclock3d.net/picture.php?pictureid=153&albumid=17&dl=1225463581&thumb=1[/IMG]
Not as well known as other memory companies.
I can verify that their "el-cheapo" memory rocks [IMG]http://forum.overclock3d.net/picture.php?pictureid=153&albumid=17&dl=1225463581&thumb=1[/IMG]
IC's used are reportedly Elpida MNH-E Hyper which are the best around at present.
I did try lowering the timings further but not by lowering bandwidth (which defeats the object of high speed ram imo). Sadly they wouldn't run at anything lower than the stock CAS7 @2000MHz.
Thanks a lot for the info! I can't blame you for not dropping the MHz really. Only reason I mentioned it was for completeness' sake and out of curiosity. Bit gutted them wouldn't go to any lower timings. Oh well, they are already the most phenomenal sticks I have seen, so I am more than impressed!
I am so very tempted to save up and fork out for some near Christmas. I finally plan on watercooling my NB and Mosfets as well as my (current) CPU and 4870X2. I think these sticks would do me wonders in reaching the highest overclocks possible. Only the best will do :P
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