Overclock Testing

Our overclock testing uses the same system as performance testing. The configuration involves setting the CPU multiplier to 6 and FSB:RAM divider to 1:2. The only configuration settings which change throughout our overclocking tests are the vDIMM and memory clock speed (indirectly via adjusting the FSB). The vDIMM is adjusting in the BIOS, and the voltages reported are as measured using an external multimeter. Basic stability of the overclock is tested with an 8M run of superPI (mod1.5).

While not a recordbreaker, our XTune kit was able to hit 1600MHz at 9-9-9-24, and 1580MHz at faster timings of 7-7-7-20. At a more conservative voltage setting, this kit should be able to run 24/7 at 1500MHz with 7-7-7-20 timings. All in all, the overclocking performance of our XTune kit is pretty decent.

Conclusion

To properly evaluate this memory kit we must ask the question, what did Aeneon set out to do with their XTune DDR3-1333 memory kit? Did they successfully accomplish their task? To answer this we can approach the kit from a few angles. With a selling price of approximately $150US on Google's price search engine, this places the kit firmly as an averaged price performance oriented DDR3-1333 kit. Timings on more conservatively priced kits are typically CL9, and the more expensive kits are typically CL7. The XTune kit was right in the middle at CL8. To achieve the rated speed of DDR3-1333 at CL8, voltage doesn't need be changed from the industry standard of 1.5v for DDR3. Some of the competition requires a voltage bump, which makes it a bit more difficult to get stable operation for the novice user, and also improves motherboard compatibility. So as a mid-level DDR3-1333 memory kit, the XTune is successful. Simply put, the heatspreaders looked nice and the memory modules as a whole looked to be of good quality. We didn't see any visible defects with respect to manufacturing. The overclocked speeds we were able to achieve were respectable. There was good headroom providing voltage bumps, but nothing mind blowing. Considering that the Aeneon brand was re-launched a little over half a year ago, it's XTune DDR3-1333 CL8 kit was a great first product. From what we've seen today, we have high hopes for Aeneon. Already, a high end DDR3-1800 XTune kit has been introduced by Aeneon and we can't wait to take a look at their newest products. circuitREMIX is pleased to give Aeneon's XTune 2GB DDR3-1333 CL8 memory kit an 8/10!