Each module comprises 1GB of PC3-10666 (DDR3-1333) memory. The DIMM is double sided. We can safely assume that since Aeneon is part of Qimonda, that the DDR3 ICs are all of Qimonda origin.

Performance Test Platform

For testing DDR3 memory performance, circuitREMIX has created test bed configuration. The hardware chosen was picked to reflect that of a relatively modern computer system that an enthusiast may own. The heat production of the system is an above-average repesentation of one of these computer systems. The configuration of the system is as follows:

• Intel Xeon E3110
• Thermalright Ultra-120 heatsink + 120mm Yate Loon fan
• Asus P5E3 Premium (X48) motherboard
• Diamond MM Radeon 3870HD 512MB PCI-e video card
• Seagate 7200.7 120GB SATA hard drive
• Samsung SH-S203 SATA DVD-writer
• Windows Vista Business Edition (patched to 09 Feb 2008)

For performance tests, the Intel Xeon E3110 is set to run with a multiplier of 9 and FSB of 400MHz. This results in a final clock speed of 3600MHz. The FSB:RAM divider is adjusted, which results in changes to the memory clock speed, but no change in processor clock speed. This allows memory performance to be the only changing factor when benchmarking.

Our Windows Vista installation is configured to allow for the least possible amount of operating system overhead as possible. This includes turning off features and services such as:

• Disabling all power saving modes, screen saver, and Vista visual effects
• Fax & Scanner Services
• Hard Drive Indexing Service
• System Restore
• Windows DFS Replication Service
• Windows Meeting Space
• Windows Search
• Windows Update

For the SiSoftware Sandra configuration, we test memory bandwidth with buffering schemes including MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3 disabled. These settings are configured within SiSoft Sandra itself.