Mikhailtech - Crucial Ballistix 2x 1GB DDR3-12800 Memory Kit

Crucial Ballistix 2x 1GB DDR3-12800 Memory Kit

Author: Peter Kapas Date: March 04, 2008 Manufacturer: Crucial Provider: Micron

« Introduction, About Crucial | Packaging » Page 2: Features, Specifications

I got the features and specifications right from Crucial’s website and their PDF located here:
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspe...KIT12864BA1608
http://www.crucial.com/ballistix/

Features

This is directly taken out of the PDF file located on Crucial’s website. This might not match with the 2GB kit but it is a good representation of the DDR3 modules.

• 240-pin, unbuffered dual in-line memory module (UDIMM)
• Physical dimensions are compliant to JEDEC MO-269B
• Fast data transfer rates: PC3-12800
• 1GB (128 Meg x 64)
• Exclusively designed for high-performance systems
• Critical performance parameters tested for functionality
• Speed verification performed in-system
• VDD = VDDQ = +1.8V ±0.075V
• VDDSPD = +3.0V to +3.6V
• Reset pin for improved system stability
• Nominal and dynamic on-die termination (ODT) for data, strobe, and mask signals
• 8 internal device banks for concurrent operation
• Fixed burst length of 8 (BL8) and burst chop of 4 (BC4) via the mode register
• Adjustable data-output drive strength
• Serial Presence-Detect (SPD) EEPROM
• Gold edge contacts
• RoHS compliant
• Fly-by topology
• Terminated command, address, and control bus
• Aluminum heat spreader
• 1.18” (30.00mm) PCB Height

Specifications

•Part Number: BL2KIT12864BA1608
•Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
•Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
•Feature: DDR3 PC2-12800
•Configuration: 128Meg x 64
•DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
•Error Checking: NON-ECC
•Speed: DDR3-1600
•Voltage: 1.8V
•Memory Timings: 8-8-8-24 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

What does DDR, CAS, tRCD, tRP, tRAS, tCLK, and EPP mean?

DDR:
This stands for Double Date Rate and that means it doubles the bandwidth of the memory by transferring data twice as fast on both the rising and falling of the clock cycle.

CAS (tCL):
This stands for Column Address Strobe or Column Address Select and that essentially means the number of cycles for the memory to get information and then process that information. Also keep in mind that a lower CAS is much better than a higher CAS, so try and keep CAS as low as possible when overclocking.

tRCD:
This is the delay from the time a row is activated to when the cell (or column) is activated via the CAS signal and data can be written to or read from a memory cell. When memory is accessed sequentially, the row is already active and tRCD will not have much impact. However, if memory is not accessed in a linear fashion, the current active row must be deactivated and then a new row selected/activated. In such an example, low tRCD's can improve performance. However, like any other memory timing, putting this too low for the module can cause instability.

tRP:
RAS Precharge; the time required to switch from one row to the next row. For example: switching internal memory banks.

tRAS:
Memory architecture is like a spreadsheet with row upon row and column upon column, with each row being one bank. For the CPU to access memory, it first must determine which row or bank in the memory is to be accessed and then activate that row with the RAS signal. Once activated, the row can be accessed over and over, until the data is exhausted. This is why tRAS has little effect on overall system performance but could impact system stability if set incorrectly.

tCLK:
This is simply the clock used for the memory. Note that because frequency is 1/t, if memory were running at 100Mhz, the timing of the memory would be 1/100Mhz, or 10nS.

EPP:
This stands for Enhanced Performance Profiles and is a new approach that simplifies overclocking and ensures memory and platform compatibility. This technology was defined to utilize the extra space in the EEPROM to store memory configuration settings that are sufficient to optimize and maximize the performance of a memory module. It basically auto detects your motherboard's chipset and sets the memory timing accordingly. While EEP is nice, many overclockers will be manually adjusting their memory in the motherboard's BIOS.

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