Ultra efficient DDR3 memory by Geil

With its earlier DDR2 Green series, memory manufacturer Geil already took the initiative to launch energy efficient memory modules. The company has since been working on efficient DDR3 modules for the Core i7 platform. As of yet, Geil has developed a DDR3 DIMM memory module which requires only 1,2 volt. As a comparison: conventional DDR3 memory modules require 1,5 Volt according to JEDEC standards. The economic DDR3 memory kit has a clock frequency of 1333 MHz and comes in 6 GB.

The company claims the ultra efficient DDR3 modules would hardly be more expensive than the existing memory kits in the budget- and midsegment. By decreasing the required voltage, the necessary current is also reduced quite a bit, which results in the modules becoming less warm, and obviously consuming less energy. Because these modules don't get nearly as hot as conventional DDR3 modules, active cooling would no longer be required.

Though Geil is clearly ahead of its competitors in this market, low voltage DDR3 modules were already announced on several Hynix and Samsung roadmaps. In 2010, the voltage of DDR3 modules is specified at 1,35 Volt and it will not be decreased to 1,2 Volt until 2011, just before the coming of DDR4. Though it seems that Geil is over a year ahead, these developments do not come without risks. In the budget and midsegment there are very few motherboards that are capable of supporting 1,2 volt DDR3 memory modules. These features are present on high-end motherboards though. Despite this, BSN reports that ASUS is already working on adding support for these ultra efficient DDR3 modules on some of its motherboards.

When Geil's DDR3 Green Series of memory modules is launched is still unclear, as is a possible pricetag.

Geil memory requiring 1,2 volt (source: Hexus)

Tags: corei7 ddr2 ddr3

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