Kingston Memory
Why 1600?
The next generation of DDR3 has arrived. New chipsets and processors from AMD® and Intel® now support memory operating at 1600MT/s (aka 1600MHz). DDR3-1600 memory has a module classification of PC3-12800, which effectively means the peak data rate of the module is 12.8GB/sec (see table). That’s about a 17% improvement on memory bandwidth over DDR3-1333.
Keep In Mind
- In servers, the processor model number affects how fast the memory can operate. Higher model numbers support 1600MT/s, but may be limited by the number of DIMMs per Channel that are installed.
- Some entry-level mobile and desktop processors, such as the Intel Core i3, may not support 1600MT/s memory.
| Technology |
MHz Speed
(Data Rate) |
Module Classification |
Module Peak Bandwidth |
DDR3 (1.5V)
DDR3L (1.35V) |
800 (DDR3-800) |
PC3-6400 |
6400 MB/sec. or
6.4 GB/sec. |
| 1066 (DDR3-1066) |
PC3-8500
PCL-8500 |
8500 MB/sec. or
8.5 GB/sec. |
| 1333 (DDR3-1333) |
PC3-10600
PC3L-10600 |
10600 MB/sec. or
10.6 GB/sec. |
| 1600 (DDR3-1600) |
PC3-12800 |
12800 MB/sec. or
12.8 GB/sec. |
| 1866 (DDR3-1866) |
PC3-14900 |
14900 MB/sec. or
14.9 GB/sec. |
Step 1
Know Your System
Only the latest generation of chipsets and processors support DDR3-1600 memory.
- Quad Channel Memory Architecture
– Intel® Core™ i7 Extreme Processor on a 7-Series motherboard
– X79
- Dual Channel Memory Architecture
– 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Family Processors on 7-Series motherboards
– Z77, H77, B75
– AMD® AM3+ A-Series / FX™ Series APUs on 9-Series motherboards
– 990X , 990FX, 980G, 970
– AMD® A10-M, A8-M, and A6-M series mobile APUs on 9-Series motherboards
- Available capacities at 1600MT/s are:
– 2GB, 4GB, 8GB SODIMMs (Mobile)
– 2GB, 4GB, 8GB Unbuffered non-ECC DIMMs (Desktop)
– 2GB, 4GB, 8GB ECC DIMMs (Workstation)
– 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB Registered ECC DIMMs (Server)
Step 2
Maximize Memory Performance
- New Xeon E5 and AMD Opteron 6200 servers support up to 2 DIMMs per Channel (See table)
| Xeon E5 / AMD Opteron 6200* |
1.5V |
| Module Type |
Module Ranks
SR/DR=Single/Dual |
1 DIMM per Channel
1 DPC |
2 DIMMs per Channel
2 DPC |
Registered DIMM
(RDIMM) |
SR/DR |
1600 |
1600 |
*Due to architecture limitations, some systems with 3 Sockets per Channel may limit 1600MT/s performance to 1 DIMM per Channel populated. Additional DIMMs will force the memory to clock down to 1333MT/s
Step 3
Determine the Memory Bandwidth You Require For Your Applications
- DDR3-1600 effectively increases bandwidth over DDR3-1333 by about 17%
- Quad Channel architecture such as those supported on Xeon E5 and Opteron 6200 platforms increases memory bandwidth by up to 35% over previous Triple Channel architecture.
- Some applications may require the maximum memory bandwidth available, such as 3D applications, CG, CAD and mechanical/industrial design, technical and scientific computing, digital content creation, video games, and many more.
About Kingston Memory
Kingston also offers an experienced pre-sales technical support staff to help you determine which configuration is ideal for your environment. Find the memory you need or contact a Kingston expert for help.