ADATA DDR3 1600X CL7-9-7-21
Category : DDR3
Published by Roger Tanner on 28.07.11
With its DDR3 1600X Cl7-9-7-21 modules, ADATA has a dual channel memory kit in its portfolio which is available at a very competive price point. Furthermore they offer low latencies, which already is reason enough for us to test these DIMMS.
On the following pages we will show you what the ADATA DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21 Dual-Channel kit is capable of.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
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Preview
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Technical Details
| Manufacturer | ADATA DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21 |
| Type | DDR3 |
| Capacity | 4 GByte (2 x 2 GByte) |
| Frequency | PC3-16000 DDR3-2000 MHz |
| Timings | 7-9-7-21 |
| VDIMM | 1.65 Volt |
| Registred/Ubuffered | Unbuffered |
| ECC | No |
| Cooling | Passive Heatspreader |
| Waranty | Lifetime warranty |
ADATAs Dual-Channel modules are being shipped in a plastic box. If we take a closer look at the heatspreader, we can see that it has been very well manufactured Futhermore we do also like these modules design.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
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Test Setup
| Motherboard | ASUS Maximus III Formula |
| CPU | Core i7 860 |
| Graphic card | ATI Radeon HD 4850 |
| Memory | ADATA DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21 |
| HDD | Western Digital 360 |
| PSU | Corsair 1000 Watt |
| OS | Windows 7, 64 bit |
We were thinking a lot about how to test memory in a way that one can come up with a qualitative conclusion rather than a quantitative one. Our goal is to be able to comment on the memory kits quality. Furthermore, standard performance tests with memory do not have any significance at all. This is because almost the only thing you're measuring is the error in measurement.
What we do instead of performance tests are "scaling test". First we start with the standard voltage and increase the frequency until the system becomes unstable. To test the stability we use MaxxMem. Then we increase the voltage by 0.025 Volt and again we increase the memory frequency until the system becomes unstable. This we repeat until we reach 1.85 Volt.
Using this method one can do statements on the modules potential and on the quality of the chips used. Generally you can say the lower the voltage needed for high overclocking results the better the chips.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
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Results
7-9-7-21-1T - Timings
As we can see from the chart at CL7-9-7-21-1T the modules perform best when provided with 1.70 Volt. With this voltage they were capable of running 878 MHz. To operate within the clock speed and timing specifications the modules need to be provided with at least 1.475 Volt, which is 0.175 Volt below the voltage ADATA recommends.
9-11-9-21-1T - Timings
With CL9-11-9-21-1T and 1.70 VDIMM we were able to reach a maximum clock speed of 1'125 MHz.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
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Conclusion
Regarding the DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21, ADATA succeeded in putting together a very good memory kit. Also the manufacturing quality and the looks of these modules has been able to convice. Therefore we like the plain and simple design which is being kep in silver and leaves a decent impression.As we can see from our graphs that ADATAs ADATA DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21 modules don't only allow high clock frequencies, they also allow you to set aggressive timings at voltages below the manufacturers specifications. Therefore ADATA did a good job selecting the chips they've actually been putting onto thise DIMMs. With CL7-9-7-21-1T we've benn able to reach 878 MHz. With the timings increased to CL9-11-9-21-1T it's been possible to reach 1'125 MHz. In both cases the DIMMs needed more than 1.70 Volt.
We generally recommend this memory kit to gamers as well as overclockers who want to get a memory kit which performs above average and is available at an attractive price point.
Rating
Because of the fact, that the ADATA DDR3 1600X CL 7-9-7-21 are good memory modules which come at a competitive price tag which as about CHF 66.- (est. EUR 51.-) we give it four out of five possible stars.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Test Setup |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 5 - Results |
| Page 3 - Technical Details | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Testing : r.tanner@ocaholic.ch Redaction : m.buechel@ocaholic.ch
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