Let us continue with the most important part of the test report, because the optics and packing is of course rather secondary and the highest possible stable performance is the most important factor. The multiplier adjustment remains on 13x with all frequencies, because an adjustment for the CPU in half multiplier steps would be too inaccurate to get nearly the same CPU frequency for all tests. Microsoft Windows 7 RC Ultimate Edition is used as the operating system. The stability was examined with the software Memtest86
and SiSoft Sandra Lite 2009 SP3 program is used for all benchmarks, since it offers extensive adjustments and a fast result comparison. BTW. the latest SiSoft Sandra 2009 version is available on our download server and can be downloaded much faster. All benchmarks are also included in the free Sandra Lite version.
First the maximum possible frequency of the memory module was determined with default 1.50 Volt (1,53V). The memory frequency was increased in small steps with a fixed memory timing of 8-8-8-24 2T and default memory voltage, as long as the detailed memory test with Memtest86 runs without any errors. This quite long testing time ensured that this frequency works really stable with these modules.
The highest possible frequency with 8-8-8-24 2T (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) timings and 1.53V was 750 / 1499 MHz.
Here is a Snipping screenshot of CPU-Z with 750 / 1499 MHz and 8-8-8-24 2T with 1,53 Volt:
Of course it’s possible to run much higher frequencies with increased voltages or lower timings, because the frequency values and timings depends directly from each other. Officially Crucial specify the voltage of 1.80 Volt without loosing the warranty. This voltage was also necessary, in order to be able to clock the modules stable with 666/1333 MHz and 6-6-6-20 2T.
Here is a Snipping screenshot of CPU-Z with 666 / 1333 MHz and 6-6-6-20 2T with 1,83 Volt:
The benchmark comparison of all DDR3 memory modules were tested with the default 1.53 V, where these modules nevertheless reached 1499 MHz. This highest possible clocking on the default DDR3 voltage was compared now with two other settings. On the one hand they were tested with 200 MHz reference clock x6,66 = 1333 MHz and SPD values (SPD values are programmed in the SPD IC by the manufacturer). On the other hand the highest possible frequency with the permitted manufacturers voltage was determined at 8-8-8-24 2T.
The highest possible frequency with 8-8-8-24 2T (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) timings and 1.83V was 773 / 1545 MHz.
Here is a Snipping screenshot of CPU-Z with 773 / 1545 MHz and 8-8-8-24 2T with 1,83 Volt (manufacturer voltage):
Here are the SiSoftware Sandra 2009 benchmark results:
| Frequency | Timing | Speicher Spannung | RAM Range Int Buff’d iSSE2 | Memory Bus Range | Memory Latency |
| 225 MHz * 6,66 = 1499 MHz | fix (8-8-8-24 2T) | 1.53 Volt | 13,48 GB/s | 23,44 GB/s | 76 ns |
| 232 MHz * 6,66 = 1545 MHz | fix (8-8-8-24 2T) | 1.83 Volt | 13,48 GB/s | 24,16 GB/s | 74 ns |
| 200 MHz * 6,66 = 1333 MHz | SPD (9-12-12-30 2T) | 1.53 Volt | 11,86 GB/s | 20,84 GB/s | 93 ns |
By the way, the “Memory Bus Range” is no benchmark value, but this value is quite simple to calculate by the frequency and this is useful for a benchmark comparison.
Here’s a diagram of the benchmark values:
Here is a direct benchmark result comparison of some DDR3, DDR2 and DDR memory modules:
The Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC3-10600 memory modules are the first DDR3 kit in this chart and are of course at the top of all benchmark values. In the comparison of the calculated memory bus range and with the comparison of the tested benchmark values one recognize the performance differences between DDR (1) modules, DDR2 modules and DDR3 modules. Thanks to the fast CL6 timings the kit has also with the JEDEC standard voltage of 1.50 V good overclocking results which can be improved additionally with higher voltages.