These days all performance focused memory modules feature a heatspreader and possibly even a coloured PCB, though few offer end users anything more. Back in the days, Mushkin gained recognition for developing and implementing one of the first heatspreaders, but now everyone uses them. Many have even tried to modify the heatspreader to create something even more exciting, though to this day the heatspreader is much the same as it has always been.

Corsair took the heatspreader and added activity LED’s, which was a pretty cool idea, and while it does nothing for the performance, case modders got very excited about these modules. Shortly after a few other memory module makers copied the activity LED’s, which in a sense stated that Corsair were successful with that idea. Since then there have been no other developments from memory module makers, limiting our choices to shiny heatspreaders with flashing lights. That was until OCZ launched their new FlexXLC Edition memory late last year.

The new FlexXLC Edition memory not only looked very cool, but they also ran a lot cooler as well. Back when heatspreaders for memory modules were originally designed, most claimed they were a waste of time and did nothing for performance. They were pretty much spot on with their claims, as the memory chips found on older SDR and DDR memory modules produced very little heat. However today, with modules operating well above their designed specifications and requiring 2.4v+, heat is becoming a serious issue for memory modules.

This being the case, an idea that can eliminate this problem is obviously going to be a success. Recently Corsair unleashed their “Dominator Series”, which looked much like their “Pro Series”, but instead of LED lights these Dominator modules featured large fins designed for better cooling efficiency. Well, OCZ may have borrowed this idea for their FlexXLC Edition memory, but they have certainly taken it to the next level. Today we have the first ever water-cooled memory modules, designed to operate at 1200MHz.