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Intel Core i7 Build & Architecture Changes
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DHX+ - Three Way Memory
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Now the cool part of Core i7 is not just that it's got an onboard memory controller. That's cool, sure.
The real cool part is that it's got a triple-channel onboard memory controller. That's three channels of memory for optimum bandwidth.
Meaning six slots of RAM.
Check this out.
See that? Six slots. Three channels. You could easily install up to 12GB of RAM in that right now. That's pretty sexy.
But what's the sticker say? Well, because Intel's put the memory controller on the CPU, they advise against high VDIMM, or memory voltage. Anything over a 10% increase (from 1.5V to 1.65V) they say could be potentially hazardous to the processor. This is something overclockers have known for quite a while - increasing voltage shortens the lifespan of your products.
Nonetheless - most of Corsair's triple memory kits are rated at 1.65V or lower.
Including the kit we're using - the 1866C9 6GB kit.
Three 2GB modules rated at 1866 MHz @ 9-9-9-24 latencies, optimized for Nehalem. But wait, what's the new heatsink all about?
Corsair invented the world's first true memory heatsink with the Dominator with DHX technology. We're now talking about the Dominator with DHX+ technology. New fins, new heatsinks, and the same great technology exists for our modules - only now, there's more flexibility. We'll see more about that very soon.
But what about cooling them? Nehalem boards have six slots and the Dominator Airflow can't fit over all six, can it?
Looks like it can. The new Airflow is optimized for Nehalem with two 60mm fans that spin at a very low noise level. The best performance you can get out of the box, bar none.
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