OCZ Releases 16GB 'P45 Special' Memory Kit

Rob Williams

Editor-in-Chief
Staff member
Moderator
From our front-page news:
When Techgage first launched three years ago, the common standard for a new PC build was the inclusion of 1GB of RAM. Most people at that time were still running a hearty 512MB. Later that year, it suddenly became the new standard to have 2GB in your rig, and it was even necessary in most cases for the best all-around gameplay experiences (especially with FEAR, which was truly hardcore at the time of its release).

It wasn't until Vista's launch that people began to really see the value in having 4GB of RAM, and it didn't take long before the hardcore users slammed 8GB into their rigs. Even that is reaching overkill for most people though, as that much RAM is difficult to utilize unless you have incredibly specific needs. So... how can this be brought to the 'asinine' level? With a 16GB of course, courtesy of our friends at OCZ.

The 'P45 Special' (not to be confused with a sidearm) comes in a 4GB x 4 kit and is designed for Intel's P45 chipset, since it's the first desktop chipset to allow support for that much memory. The modules themselves come in at DDR2-800 speeds and utilize 5-6-6-18 timings and feature a fantastic-looking pure-black heat spreader. You can expect the kit to retail for around $450. Tempting, isn't it?

ocz_8gb16gb_kits_080708.jpg

The PC2-6400 4GB modules are ideal for enthusiasts, professionals, and DIY system-builders using 64-bit operating systems that can take advantage of high density memory configurations. As the ultimate challenge for hardcore gamers, the latest DirectX-10 games require large amounts of memory to minimize swapfile access and allow smooth game play.


Source: OCZ Product Page
 

Rob Williams

Editor-in-Chief
Staff member
Moderator
What impresses me about this kit, besides the obvious, is the price. At around $450... it's around the same price as a 'nice' 2GB DDR2 kit was just 16 - 20 months ago. Truly incredible.

16 GB is undoubtedly overkill, but the fact that you can get so much now for so little money (well, comparatively speaking) is fantastic.
 

Kougar

Techgage Staff
Staff member
Considering the pure glut of memory chips they have still piling up, I'm sure they love this idea just as much as you do. :D
 

Rob Williams

Editor-in-Chief
Staff member
Moderator
What's going to be interesting is seeing the ultra high-end kits for Nehalem.. since they have to be in multiples of three... and we don't have 3GB memory kits.

3GB, 6GB, 12GB... looks like we'll top out at 12GB, unless some board vendor releases a mammoth 6-slot wonder, or a memory vendor releases 5GB or 6GB modules, hah.
 

Kougar

Techgage Staff
Staff member
Rob, don't forget about Intel's IDF, they were showing 4 or 8GB RAM modules in a Nehalem system there, populating all six slots thanks to MetaRAM... ;)

Of course factoring the price by six means they cost more than my car, but oh well... still fun to see tomorrow's technology working today. :) It'll eventually grow to be affordable & commonplace soon enough!
 

Rob Williams

Editor-in-Chief
Staff member
Moderator
MetaRAM was also showing off 16GB modules here... I almost drooled right onto the open machine. I do know that higher-density RAM exists, but it's going to be weird pushing it into a 3x configuration, since it will have to be in multiples of 2GB and higher to get anywhere.

I don't think we'll see many 12GB setups right away though... 4GB sticks are still rather pricy.
 
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