It's great to see how individual memory stacks up against the competition under stock configurations, but we're also going to show how it compares when overclocked. With performance in mind, we're going to compare the maximum overclocked results of the various DDR2/3 memory modules PCSTATS has tested in the past which are listed below.

Remember, just because memory is clocked fast doesn't mean it's the best thing for a computer. Timings are also important, and getting the right ratio of both is the real key to performance based overclocking!

Maximum Overclocked Speeds - PCSTATS TEST Results
DDR3 Memory - Maximum Speed w/ Low Latency	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin3X2048-1800C7D	7-7-7-20	1024MB	1840 MHz
Patriot PDC32G1600LLK	7-7-7-18	1024MB	1820 MHz
Super Talent W1866UX2G8	7-7-7-20	1024MB	1780 MHz
Patriot PDC32G1866LLK	7-7-7-18	1024MB	1740 MHz
Mushkin HP3-10666	6-7-6-18	1024MB	1452 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800	7-7-7-20	1024MB	0
DDR2 Memory - Maximum Speed w/ Low Latency	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1260 MHz
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF*	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1244 MHz
Patriot PDC22G9200ELK	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1170 MHz
OCZ PC2-7200 Platinum SLI*	4-4-3-15	1024MB	1142 MHz
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-9136C5D*	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1142 MHz
PNY XLR8 D22GX85XL-5	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1120 MHz
A-DATA Vitesta Extreme Edition	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1100 MHz
Patriot PDC24G6400LLK	4-4-4-12	2048MB	1066 MHz
Mushkin XP2-6400	4-3-3-10	2048MB	1066 MHz
SuperTalent T1000UX2G4	4-5-4-12	1024MB	1044 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C4*	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1000 MHz
Patriot PDC22G8000+XBLK	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1000 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-8500C5*	4-4-4-12	1024MB	977MHz
Crucial PC2-6400	4-4-4-12	1024MB	890 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3*	3-4-3-9	1024MB	888 MHz
PNY D22GX93XLP-5 XLR8	4-4-4-12	1024MB	N/A
DDR3 Memory - Maximum Speed	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
Patriot PDC32G1866LLK	8-8-8-24	1024MB	1960 MHz
Patriot PDC32G1600LLK	8-8-8-24	1024MB	1940 MHz
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin3X2048-1800C7D	8-8-8-24	1024MB	1920 MHz
Super Talent W1866UX2G8	8-8-8-24	1024MB	1900 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800	8-8-8-20	1024MB	1780 MHz
Mushkin HP3-10666	8-8-8-24	1024MB	1760 MHz
DDR2 Memory - Maximum Speed	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1300 MHz
PNY D22GX93XLP-5 XLR8	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1280 MHz
Patriot PDC22G9200ELK	5-5-5-12	1024MB	1260 MHz
A-DATA Vitesta Extreme Edition	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1250 MHz
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1244 MHz
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-9136C5D*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1244 MHz
PNY XLR8 D22GX85XL-5	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1220 MHz
OCZ PC2-7200 Platinum SLI*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1219 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-8500C5*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1200 MHz
Patriot PDC24G6400LLK	5-5-5-15	2048MB	1180 MHz
SuperTalent T1000UX2G4	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1160 MHz
Patriot PDC22G8000+XBLK	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1155 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C4*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1142 MHz
Mushkin XP2-6400	5-5-5-15	2048MB	1130 MHz
Crucial PC2-6400	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1080 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3*	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1066 MHz

* - denotes tested on ECS PN2 SLI2+ platform

As the low latency RAM Patriot Memory's PDC32G1600LLK 2GB DDR3-1600 kit is, the results are pretty predictable; domination. When the CL timings are relaxed down to 8-8-8-24, the Patriot memory still does very well and reaches a maximum speed of 1940 MHz.

Low latency DDR3 RAM; it's a good thing

DDR3 memory is designed for processors which need a lot of bandwidth and the next generation quad core processors that are right around the corner really push the envelope. Older memory standards, at least according to Intel, are not up to snuff and that's why the company has brought DDR3 into the fold.

There are many memory brands vying for your money right now, and choosing memory can be confusing. From what we've seen here today, Patriot Memory has put together a pretty attractive 2GB dual channel memory kit. Its PC3-12800 PDC32G1600LLK memory is rated at DDR3-1600 with 7-7-7-18 memory timings with 1.8V. Priced at $560 CDN ($570 USD, £277GBP) , it's expensive but finding low latency DDR3 memory is rather difficult at the moment.

At 1333 MHz, the 2GB low latency Patriot PDC32G1600LLK DDR3-1600 memory kit performs just like all other DDR3 memory modules, and that's expected. Again though, it's a difference which will become more prevalent once Intel's Penryn Core 2 Quad processor is with us. In terms of overclocking the Patriot PDC32G1600LLK reached a blistering 1820 MHz with tight 7-7-7-18 memory timings. Loosening things up to 8-8-8-24 allowed the memory to reach 1940 MHz which is definitely very fast.

Gamers will be among the first users to adopt the DDR3 memory standard and the low latencies of the Patriot PDC32G1600LLK will definitely get some consideration. Games like Quake 4 and FEAR showed some nice performance compared to the Patriot's higher latency competition and overclocking makes simply makes things sweeter.

If you're a forward thinking computer user, with a thirst for speed, jumping on the DDR3 bandwagon may be a worthwhile undertaking. It's the memory standard of the future and will unlock the potential of future generation processors.