Introduction

I would like to thank G.SKILL for providing the review sample.

From the manufacturer:

• Capacity: 4 GB (2GB x 2)
• Speed: 1100 MHz DDR2 (PC2-8800)
• CAS Latency: CL 5-5-5-15
• Test voltage: 1.8~1.9 Volts
• PCB: 8 Layers PCB
• Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
• Error Checking : Non-ECC
• Type: 240-pin DIMM
• Warranty: Lifetime

While these specs are certainly impressive for a 4GB kit, one aspect really stands out: 8 layer PCB. Memory tends to make due with 6 layers, but G.Skill has decided to go all out on the Pi Series.

Packaging & Contents

G.Skill packages the Pi series of memory in a thin, blue cardboard box. The front shows the pi sign with the G.Skill logo above it. On the rear you will find the same logo once more, as well as the address of the company.


In the center is a gray square, which holds a sticker with the details of the memory. It clearly states the model number of the memory within the package. To take a look at the DIMMs, simply open the front cover from left to right. A window gives you some idea as to the looks of the Pi series modules, while the inner side of the cover holds an image comparing the heat dissipation between naked modules and ones with the fancy heat spreaders. The overall impression of the package is a bit boring in my humble opinion. No fancy pictures on the outside, no windows to look through to see the entire memory and no big sticker up front letting you know in MHz numbers what you are looking at. It would have been nice for G.Skill to really push some fancy packaging for this series.


Inside the package you will find a pamphlet with addresses of G.Skill all over the world, a sticker of a snowboarder and a domed G.Skill logo sticker.

A Closer Look

Taking a closer look at the memory DIMMs. The new heat spreader design looks great and even though the fins may look thin, they cannot be bent out of shape. Both sides have a strip running across the heat spreader, with the G.Skill and Pi logo on them. On the side with the specifications, these two logos are moved over a bit. Besides this cosmetic difference, both heat spreader sides look identical.


The fins up top have an elaborate, bent design. They are hooked together up top and you can clearly see the memory ICs, which seem to be touching the spreaders perfectly.


The white sticker holds all the necessary information of this Pi series Kit. We are looking at a 1100 MHz 4GB Kit with CL5-5-5-15 at 1.8-1.9V. This means that the memory manages the rated speed at, pretty much, default voltage - impressive. There is a small serial or model number printed onto the PCB. Google did not turn up any usable information on this number.


Something else caught my eye. The are a few golden spots on the DIMMs. This seems to be the same material used for the traces in the PCB. Looks like the machine, which drew these traces leaked a bit during production. I am sure, that this is an isolated incident and, as you will see later on, the memory performs great.