14 DAY TRIAL // DDR4 memory is inherently superior to DDR3 in every way, from performance to efficiency, but it still looks good on paper to write big frequency numbers, which is the one advantage overclocked DDR3 still has. Or had, now that ADATA's XPG Z1 DDR4 3333 Gold Edition is on the scene.
We've seen overclocked DDR4 before, but the ADATA XPG Z1 DDR4 3333 Gold Edition computer memory has set the highest record yet.
Normally working at 3,333 MHz (obviously), the RAM was pushed to 4,255 MHz, which outmatches the previous record of 4,032 MHz by a significant bit.
That one was set by MSI, by the way, on the MSI X99S SLI PLUS motherboard and using memory from the Kingston HyperX series.
ADATA broke the record using an ASUS ROG Rampage V Extreme and a fair bit of liquid nitrogen, without which chips would have burned or melted.
The test bench
The ASUS Republic of Gamers Rampage V Extreme is one we detailed back when it first came out, in August 2014, but we'll specify the most important assets: the eight DDR4 ports are one, the five PCI Express x16 slots are the other.
And yes, those five ports do all support full-speed graphics cards, thanks to third-party controllers. Kind of amusing that they were completely irrelevant to the matter at hand really.
The ADATA DDR4 RAM achieved a latency of CL17 when it finally hit 4,255 MHz. The memory proceeded to hold that performance for a good while without failing.
This has essentially eliminated any concerns about DDR4 possibly not being as overclockable as DDR3, if they even existed.
The ADATA DDR4 3333 Gold Edition
The modules have golden heatspreaders with a design reminiscent of jet fighter airplanes. They run at 1.35V instead of 1.2V, due to the sheer extra speed they put on even in their normal state.
Still, that's no more than the energy needed by low-power DDR3, so DDR4 has a big advantage regardless. The modules also use 10-layer PCBs with 2oz of pure copper.
Don't be surprised if you still can't find the products up for sale anywhere. Also, if you do get your hands on a kit through whatever means, some overclocking should be possible even with LN2. Do not try to go too far, though.
