AMD has extended its enthusiast-grade memory offerings, launching a new 2,133MHz DDR3 kit alongside an update for its RAM disk software which promises to boost performance still further.
Having entered the DRAM market in 2011, at a time when the sector was facing slow sales and a slump that would see companies like OCZ leave the market altogether, AMD hasn't exactly gone out of its way to produce a large range of DRAM modules, but neither, apparently, has it give up on its desire to become a player in the memory industry. This week, the company has announced the latest entry in its RAM product line: the Radeon RG2133 Gamer Series 16GB Kit.
As the name suggests, the Radeon RG2133 kit is comprised of four DIMMs running at 2,133MHz based on a 1.65V and 10-11-11-30 timings - automatically configured using either Intel's XMP or AMD's AMP (eXtreme Memory Profile and AMD Memory Profile respectively) on compatible motherboards. A Radeon-branded black heatspreader covers both sides of the module and curls over the top - containing yet more AMD Radeon branding, owners of windowed cases will be interested to hear - for a total module height of 30mm when installed.
The new memory modules, which should offer a significant performance boost to the embedded Radeon graphics found in AMD's accelerated processing unit (APU) products compared to 1,866MHz or slower DIMMS, comes alongside the launch of an upgraded version of its RAMDisk software. Based on US-based Dataram's software, the AMD-branded RAMDisk allows the user to set aside a portion of memory to be treated by the system as a hard drive - boosting file transfer rates considerably.
The RAMDisk software has previously been available free of charge to all comers, offering up to 4GB of RAM-based storage. Those who have AMD-branded memory installed can upgrade that to a 6GB version, while the company sells a licence for a 32GB edition. Those who buy the Gamer Series RAM modules, however, receive a licence for a 64GB edition - which, given that it's not actually possible to fit 64GB of AMD Radeon RG2133 into your average desktop, seems a trifle overkill.
Changes made in the latest release of the software include tweaks to performance designed to make system startup and shutdown faster. Running on a system with a mechanical hard drive, and enabling the new 'Load in Background' and 'Background Update' options, the new Windows-exclusive software is claimed to improve boot times from cold by up to three times and shutdown speeds - when the RAM disk needs to write its contents back to non-volatile storage - by up to twenty times. Users of SSDs, of course, will find the improvement significantly reduced.
Thus far, AMD's Radeon RG2133 Gamer Series memory has not hit the UK, but US pricing has been set at around $155 (approximately £100 excluding taxes) for the 4x4GB kit.
Having entered the DRAM market in 2011, at a time when the sector was facing slow sales and a slump that would see companies like OCZ leave the market altogether, AMD hasn't exactly gone out of its way to produce a large range of DRAM modules, but neither, apparently, has it give up on its desire to become a player in the memory industry. This week, the company has announced the latest entry in its RAM product line: the Radeon RG2133 Gamer Series 16GB Kit.
As the name suggests, the Radeon RG2133 kit is comprised of four DIMMs running at 2,133MHz based on a 1.65V and 10-11-11-30 timings - automatically configured using either Intel's XMP or AMD's AMP (eXtreme Memory Profile and AMD Memory Profile respectively) on compatible motherboards. A Radeon-branded black heatspreader covers both sides of the module and curls over the top - containing yet more AMD Radeon branding, owners of windowed cases will be interested to hear - for a total module height of 30mm when installed.
The new memory modules, which should offer a significant performance boost to the embedded Radeon graphics found in AMD's accelerated processing unit (APU) products compared to 1,866MHz or slower DIMMS, comes alongside the launch of an upgraded version of its RAMDisk software. Based on US-based Dataram's software, the AMD-branded RAMDisk allows the user to set aside a portion of memory to be treated by the system as a hard drive - boosting file transfer rates considerably.
The RAMDisk software has previously been available free of charge to all comers, offering up to 4GB of RAM-based storage. Those who have AMD-branded memory installed can upgrade that to a 6GB version, while the company sells a licence for a 32GB edition. Those who buy the Gamer Series RAM modules, however, receive a licence for a 64GB edition - which, given that it's not actually possible to fit 64GB of AMD Radeon RG2133 into your average desktop, seems a trifle overkill.
Changes made in the latest release of the software include tweaks to performance designed to make system startup and shutdown faster. Running on a system with a mechanical hard drive, and enabling the new 'Load in Background' and 'Background Update' options, the new Windows-exclusive software is claimed to improve boot times from cold by up to three times and shutdown speeds - when the RAM disk needs to write its contents back to non-volatile storage - by up to twenty times. Users of SSDs, of course, will find the improvement significantly reduced.
Thus far, AMD's Radeon RG2133 Gamer Series memory has not hit the UK, but US pricing has been set at around $155 (approximately £100 excluding taxes) for the 4x4GB kit.
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
Want to comment? Please log in.