Corsair Dominator PC2-9136 4GB Memory Kit
DOMINATOR™ - Extreme Performance, Overclockable Memory
The DOMINATOR family of memory represents the ultimate in performance technology engineering from Corsair. The DOMINATOR was designed to have the highest performing IC maximum over-clocking capability and efficient DHX cooling – all the while being stable and reliable.
DOMINATOR - Best of Corsair’s Engineering
Very few components make it into the DOMINATOR family. Corsair performs rigorous testing and screening on all components to select only the best for the DOMINATOR modules. The tests check for high frequency and/or low latency capabilities for each IC. Then, they are thoroughly tested for maximum interoperability and reliability as a united group to meet the stringent design criteria demanded by performance computing and gaming users.
Superior Heat Dissipation
Heat is the enemy of your computer’s key components. And the more you tweak components for performance, the more heat is generated. Heat will slow down your system and impact long term reliability. With traditional DDR2 memory, the standard method of chip packaging involves a BGA (Ball Grid Array). In a BGA, small balls of solder, organized as a grid, are the leads that connect the device to the module circuit board. A Micron Semiconductor study shows that in a BGA memory device as much as 50% of the heat generated by the chip is actually conducted into the circuit board. Since traditional heat sinks are only attached to the front surface of memory chips, there’s no easy thermal path for the heat coming from the back of the chips.
Corsair’s Unique Dual-path Heat Xchange (DHX) Solves the Problem
Corsair’s engineers have developed a unique technology that maximizes heat dissipation while improving reliability, even in the most extremely overclocked memory module. Dual-Path Heat Exchange (DHX) technology utilizes two methods to effectively remove heat from the memory circuit board - Convection and Conduction.
Optional AirFlow - Extra Cooling for Extreme Overclocking
The optional Airflow fan unit contains three 40mm tachometer-controlled fans to provide impinging airflow to the memory subsystem. With the moderate RPMs required to provide adequate forced air, the Airflow fan is nearly silent. The fan easily clamps onto most motherboards.
Overclocking Now Made Easier with Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP)
Corsair and NVIDIA have jointly developed a new open standard that enhances the Serial Presence Detect (SPD). This exciting new development simplifies the overclocking process while ensuring platform and component compatibility. EPP compatible motherboards can access and take advantage of added performance capabilities and information. The result: simplified overclocking and unparalleled control for experts.
DOMINATOR - Setting the New Standard
DOMINATOR is the industry’s performance and award leader. It has won numerous honors to date including various Editor’s Choice awards and several “Memory of the Year” honors.
Hardware Logic have posted their review of the Corsair Dominator PC2-9136 4GB Memory Kit “Corsair has given us one of the fastest and most reliable 4GB DDR2 kits available today. Where most 1066MHz kits top off, these heavy hitters are just getting started. The ability to hit 1200MHz at 2.1v left us satisfied and should be a reasonable goal for the owners of this RAM. Corsair’s lifetime warranty and excellent support is exactly what you look for when spending your hard earned dollars.
The Achilles’ heel of this product is the price. DDR2 has been severely discounted for several months now while this memory is easily one of the highest priced kits out there. This kit may only attract a specific group of consumers that are looking for the largest and fastest DDR2 kit they can find for their system and are willing to pay the premium. Also take into consideration that this kit does not give the same amount of overclocking headroom we are accostumed to seeing from the 2GB kits.
As you take a look at the ultra high end DDR2 kits available today, there are a select few that come in a 4GB flavor. Most are smaller 2GB kits that are prone to high failure rates or are not able to reach their rated specs. You can leave those worries behind. It took Corsair some time to get this kit on the market and a few months ago, the enthusiast world would have been drooling all over these modules. But now the question remains, is there anyone still willing to pay top dollar for DDR2?”
Corsair Dominator PC2-9136 4GB Memory Kit Webpage
ASUS Crosshair II Formula
The Ultimate Gaming/Overclocking Platform - AMD® Socket AM2+ for AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™
- HyperTransport™ 3.0
- Dual-channel DDR2 1066 / 800 / 667
- CPU Level Up
- Voltiminder LED
- SupremeFX II
- LCD Poster
- Hybrid SLI / 3-Way SLI Support
- HDMI/DVI Support
Supports AMD® Socket AM2+ Phenom™ FX / Phenom X4 / Phenom X2 / Athlon™ X2 / Sempron™
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2+ multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus.
Supports AMD Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64/ Sempron
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 single-core Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ and dual-core Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 FX processors with 2MB / 1MB / 512KB L2 cache based on 64-bit architecture. It features 2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 800 memory support, and AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology.
NVIDIA nForce®780a SLI™ Chipset
The NVIDIA nForce®780a SLI™ chipset supports the NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology that allows three graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. It´s designed for enthusiast, extreme overclocking capability, ultimate gaming performance with SLI technology support. It´s definitely one of the fastest platform in the world. The NVIDIA nForce®780a SLI™ chipset also supports six (6) Serial ATA 3 Gb/s devices, PCI Express™ x16 slots with NVIDIA® SLI™ support at dual x16 mode or at tripple x8 mode, and up to 10 USB 2.0 ports.
Elite Bastards has posted their review of the ASUS Crosshair II Formula “Without laying the rhetoric on too thickly here, it seems safe to say that, as far as NVIDIA and AMD’s motherboard chipsets go, what we’re seeing here is the future. With power saving becoming an ever more important selling point of new hardware, and these two company’s graphics expertise and investment in Hybrid SLI and CrossFire from a marketing standpoint, the launch of the nForce 780a marks out the future of the high-end motherboard chipset as shipping with an on-board graphics core to enable this new functionality. Of course, for all its benefits this progression also brings us fresh nightmares of vendor lock-in - We already have to buy an NVIDIA motherboard to enjoy SLI, and now owners of NVIDIA graphics boards will have to plump for an NVIDIA motherboard to enjoy Hybrid SLI too, while AMD graphics board buyers will have to stick solely to that company’s platform for Hybrid CrossFire. Will Intel trump them both when Larrabee emerges by pairing with their own integrated graphics offerings? Who knows.”
ASUS Crosshair II Formula Webpage