Crucial, one of the largest memory vendors, has released several memory kits for the new Intel X58 platform. Today we have here an entry-level memory package, which looks very interesting in terms of retail price and hopefully performance. We all know that Micron memory chips are highly overclockcable and we hope that this new 3x1GB kit will be one of them.

- Crucial 3GB kit (1GBx3) CT3KIT12864BA1339

The Crucial PC3-10600 3GB kit (1GBx3) is an entry level product rated at PC3-10600, meaning that it runs at 1333MHz with CL9 at 1.50V. The kit retails at Crucial's web site for just $65.

A dual inline memory module (DIMM) consists of a number of memory components (usually black) that are attached to a printed circuit board (usually green). The gold pins on the bottom of the DIMM provide a connection between the module and a socket on a larger printed circuit board. The pins on the front and back of a DIMM are not connected to each other.

Each 240-pin DIMM provides a 64-bit data path (72-bit for ECC or registered or Fully Buffered modules). (The Ballistix and Ballistix Tracer high-performance memory do not come in 72-bit or registered modules.) Standard DDR3 240-pin DIMMs are currently available in DDR3 PC3-8500 SDRAM.

To use DDR3 memory, your system motherboard must have 240-pin DIMM slots and a DDR3-enabled chipset. This is because a DDR3 SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard DDR2 DIMM socket or a DDR DIMM socket.

The number of black components on a 240-pin DIMM can vary, but it always has 120 pins on the front and 120 pins on the back, for a total of 240. 240-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.25 inches long and 1.18 inches high, though the heights can vary. While 240-pin DDR3 DIMMS, 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs, 184-pin DDR DIMMs, and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 240-pin DIMMs and 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins.

- Features

• DDR3 PC3-10600
• DDR3-1333
• CL=9
• 1.5V
• Unbuffered
• NON-ECC
• 128Meg x 64