Test Setup
We initially tested the new Gigabyte i-RAM with our standard hard drive testbed which is based on NVIDIA's nForce4 Ultra chipset. However, there were compatibility problems which prevented the i-RAM from working properly as a spare Windows hard drive. A quick check with Gigabyte revealed that the i-RAM, which is still in its final testing phase, had slight compatibility issues with the nForce4. Thus, we decided to build a rig using the ABIT AG8 motherboard based on the Intel 915P and ICH6R chipset.
Although Gigabyte recommended us with an extensive list of memory modules that were found compatible with the i-RAM, we decided not to follow their recommendations. Instead, we took four pieces of Corsair's ValueSelect modules, each with a 1GB capacity, and installed them into the i-RAM. The modules were based on the Samsung K4H510838C-UCCC part and they worked flawlessly on the i-RAM. This shows that the i-RAM will work with other memory modules and may have wider compatibility with other memory modules than initially recommended by Gigabyte.
The Gigabyte i-RAM with four 1GB Corsair DDR400 modules installed.
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Installation of the i-RAM card was fairly simple as it does not involve any device drivers. However, the card may take up more than a single slot although all the four memory slots are angled to reduce space usage. If you have high-profile memory modules, you'll likely take up more than one PCI slot. We suggest installing the i-RAM in the last PCI slot, so that it can take advantage of the clearance given between the motherboard and the PC chassis.
The four memory slots are angled so as to reduce space usage. Still, larger memory modules will take up the space on the next PCI slot.
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For those considering the i-RAM, you may want to stick to Gigabyte's list of recommended memory modules to avoid any complications which may arise. Here's a list given to us :-
Recommended Memory Modules for Gigabyte i-RAM
| DDR400 256MB Modules |
| Module Supplier |
Module P/N |
Chip Supplier |
Chip P/N |
| Samsung |
KOREA 0309 PC3200U-30331-A1
M381L3223ETM-CCC 256MB
DDR PC3200 CL3 ECC |
Samsung |
K4H560838E-TCCC (ECC) |
| Micron |
MT16VDDT3264AG-40BB5
PC3200U-30330-B1 256MB DDR400 CL3 |
Micron |
MT 46V16M8-5B |
| Buffalo |
DD4333-S256/MC PC3200U-30330-A1
256MB 400MHz-CL3 |
Micron |
MT 46V32M8-5BC |
| TwinMOS |
M2G9108A-TT |
TwinMOS |
TMD7608F8E50D |
| Infineon |
HYS64D32301HU-5-C C5S50316008
PC3200U-30331-C2 256M DDR400 CL3 |
Infineon |
HYB25D512160CE-5 |
| RENEON |
AED560UD00-500C88X |
RENEON |
G32Mx8 DDR |
| Kingston |
KVR400X64C3A/256 |
Kingston |
D3208DHIT-5 0508PT10 |
| ProMOS |
V826632K24SCIW-D3 |
Mosel |
V58C2256804SCI5 0512PP |
| NANYA |
NT256D64SH4B0G-5T |
NANYA |
NT5DS32M16BT-5T
33561BPX |
| DDR400 512MB Modules |
| Module Supplier |
Module P/N |
Chip Supplier |
Chip P/N |
| Transcend |
512M 184 DDR=HP
512M DDR400 DIMM 3-3-3
8144 Y0347 |
Mosel |
V58C2256804SAT5B |
| Transcend |
PSD A256D30BTP 513ASN14
TAIWAN AN-5 |
PSC |
512M DDR400
DIMM 2.5-3-3 |
| Elixir |
M2U51264DS8HC1G-5T 512MB
DDR400 CL3PC3200U-30330 |
Elixir |
N2DS25680CT-5T |
| GeiL |
MPEA3200C2UD2-512 |
GeiL |
512M DDR400ULTRA (32M8) |
| ProMOS |
V826664K24SCIW-D3 |
Mosel |
0512PP V58C2256804SC15 |
| Elpida |
EBD52UC8KFA-5C PC3200U-3044-0-B1 |
Elpida |
DD2508AKT |
| Veritech |
Veritech |
Veritech |
DDR 32M8 |
| Apacer |
12MB UNB PC3200 CL3 |
Infineon |
HYB25D256800CE-5 |
| DDR400 1GB Modules |
| Module Supplier |
Module P/N |
Chip Supplier |
Chip P/N |
| Transcend |
1G184PDDR=LR 1GDDR400
DIMM 3-3-3 |
Micron |
MT 46V64M8-5BC |
| Kingston |
KVR400X64C3A/1G |
Samsung |
K4H510838C-UCCC |
| TwinMOS |
M2SA016A-HX
PC3200(CL3) 1GB DDR-DIMM |
Hynix |
HY5DU12822AT-D43 |
| Apacer |
1GB UNB PC3200 CL3 |
Samsung |
K4H510838B-TCCC |
In our tests, we compared results from the Gigabyte i-RAM with the fastest SATA drive available today and that is none other than Western Digital's 74GB Raptor 10,000RPM drive. All tests were performed in the same testbed and using similar configuration to maintain fair comparisons.
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