IT News & Technology update

OCZ to Introduce the PC2-8000 Platinum Edition 4GB Dual Channel Kit

RAM starvation, contributes to global heating
by: Bogdan Botezatu, Hardware Editor

Cooling and memory solution expert OCZ Technologies announced the immediate availability of the PC2-8000 Platinum Edition 4GB dual channel kit, targeted at those users whose motherboards only provide two DIMM slots. The dual channel kit allows the users to enjoy increased computing performance at an extremely affordable price.

The 64-bit operating systems and the latest titles in the gaming world are continually requiring more and more system memory. The new 2GB modules from OCZ are the recommended upgrade for entry-level enthusiasts that would like to experiment with the benefits of overclocking at affordable prices.

The included memory modules are part of OCZ's Platinum series, designed to meet both overclockers' and enthusiasts' needs, while delivering the performance required by the graphic-intensive DirectX 10 applications in nowadays computing. The memory modules are clocked at a speed of 1000 MHz at a slightly higher voltage than the normal memory modules (2.1 volts). When clocked at 1000 MHZ, the modules deliver impressive CAS latency values of 5-5-5.

The memory modules come with a proprietary passive cooler. The platinum-mirrored XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders are extremely efficient and dissipate the residual heat that accumulates when working at high frequencies. The memory chips and the module heatsinks are separated by a thick layer of OCZ silver-based thermal compound to boost heat conductivity from the memory core to the exterior, thus improving its performance.

"System memory density is a significant cost factor in the overall configuration of any personal computer," commented Dr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. "However, retrofitting a system with an abundance of memory does not necessarily translate into having to spend an abundance of cash. By releasing quality products like the PC2-8000 2GB modules at a low price point, OCZ Technology once again demonstrates the commitment to providing the customers with the best possible solution in the market place."

OCZ's PC2-8000 Platinum Edition 4GB Dual Channel Kit might come in handy if you are running Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Vista, 64-bit version. The memory kits are available for $159.99 and come with lifetime warranty.

No Comment | Posted in » DDR2, DDRAM, Hardware, Memory, Technology  

RAM Drives, the New Trend in Storage

This year marked a milestone in terms of computer sales. It was the first time when notebook PCs have sold better than desktop machines, and that says a lot about users going mobile.

Solid-state drives arrived just in time to store the laptop users' data. Various notebook vendors have already included them in their configuration so it would not be too far-fetched to say the SSDs are pretty much going mainstream.

The new frenzy in the storage business are RAM drives. The performance factor would easily qualify them as favorites in the storage world, but their major shortcoming is (still) their price. Even so, recent prices of the DDR2 memory can contribute very much to setting the new trend. Intel is already committed to switching to newer and faster DDR3 until 2009, and DDR2 would be too good to dispose of.

If we consider that DRAM memory speeds are much higher than any flash-based storage and 8 GB of memory is worth around $200, then it would be extremely easy to get a PCI-Express enabled RAM disk with a battery supply to keep them on. There was some gadget produced by Gygabyte to offer such functionality, but it only worked on a PCI-Express x1 lane to offer 2 x 4 GB/s, which voided all the advantaged given by DRAM's wide-bandwidth.

The controller can easily be built to use the PCI-E x16 in order to map the RAM memory like a normal storage drive. Mass production would easily drop the costs down to a final $60 per card. Add the RAM cost and we get a $260 per 8 Gigabytes of ultra-fast storage. If you just migrate from DDR2 to newer DDR3, then it only takes the card and controller cost. For this price, you can make your computer load the operating system in sub-second time.

Source by Bogdan Botezatu, Hardware Editor , softpedia.com

2 comments | Posted in » DDRAM, Hardware, Technology