G.Skill DDR3-2200 C7 Synthetic performance
Today we'll do things a little differently. Since we are talking about memory that can actually run at 2000 MHz with an AMD platform, we will lose the ability to objectively measure real-world performance as we get a fixed CPU clock frequency.
We will throw in synthetic testing done with Everest and SiSoft Sandra where you can observe memory performance really precisely. And then we'll just compare test results based on 1333 CAS ((JEDEC) timings and the combo of really fast memory at 2000 MHZ CAS7. All at a tweaked system.
At all times and measurements the system baseclock and multiplier will remain the same, meaning each and every difference you spot on performance is a direct results of changed memory frequency and timings.
Memory Read test
Okay so for the first round of tests, synthetic testing. Here we have the read performance of the memory at that 2000 MHz clock frequency.
Now as you'll notice, in all tests today we'll also clock this memory at 1667 C8 and the convenient 1333 MHz C9 (JEDEC). In light orange we add the reference results of a similar system (890FX / Phenom II X6 1090T / DDR3 @ 1333 C9 T2).
The rest of the tests shown in the chart above are there for scaling purposes. Most of these setup all run either 1066 or 1333 MHz. The Core i7 processor all haul ass with their wicked point-to-point based dual and triple channel controller.
The reality is that on average with today's used system Phenom II X6 1090T / DDR3 @ 1333 you'd hover at 8300~9100 MB/sec read performance. With the memory all the way overclocked at 2000 MHz C7 1T we reach 11259 MB/sec. Quite honestly I was hoping for more in the 12k~13k range, but the memory controller on the Phenom II is clearly not as handsome as the ones on Intel's Nehalem architecture.
Memory Write test
Write performance then -- A Phenom II processor will perform roughly in-between 6500 and 7000 MB/sec -- with sharp timings you'd take it to roughly 8000 MB/sec. Intel's latest Core i5 and I7 offerings will offer roughly 10.000 MB/sec at JEDEC 1333 MHz at Dual-channel configuration.
Core i7 Bloomfield Nehalem processors with triple channel will vary a little depending on model/QPI but maxes out at roughly 14.000 MB/sec again based on JEDEC timings and frequency of 1333 MHz -- overclocked or with fast DIMMs these would rock out as well.
G.Skill in dual-channel mode reaches a confusing 8300 MB/sec even at 2000 MHz. We expected a little bit more here, still it's pretty darn fast for an AMD system.
