In this video, the host discusses their visit to ASUS HQ in Taiwan, specifically focusing on the company's "Nitro Path" memory feature, which was previously announced and released during Gamescom in August. Initially, the host expressed skepticism about whether this feature did anything beyond marketing hype. ASUS claimed that Nitro Path could increase memory speed by approximately 400 megatransfers.
The host found the discussions with ASUS engineers to be technically intriguing and aims to explain the technology in more detail in the video. They promote HETNER as a reliable hosting partner providing GDPR-compliant hosting and good price performance.
The video discusses two types of memory slots: conventional and Nitro Path. Conventional memory slots, commonly used, are shown alongside the Nitro Path design, which features bent contact pins. The host mentions using an upcoming desktop motherboard with two DIMM slots focused on memory overclocking, which did not include the Nitro Path feature—this was confusing because the host assumed it would enhance memory overclocking capabilities.
To understand the differences, the ASUS R&D team set up comparative platforms using two mid-range motherboards: one with conventional memory slots and the other with Nitro Path slots, both using an AMD 8700G APU. They recorded that the conventional board maxed out at 8,200 megatransfers, leading to errors, while the Nitro Path setup was stable at 8,600 megatransfers.
The host realizes that their initial assumption about Nitro Path was incorrect, believing it only affected occupied slots rather than empty slots. Most motherboards utilize two memory channels, which leads to dual-channel configurations when two slots are filled. The host initially thought Nitro Path improved the contact mechanism and signal quality but later learned it primarily helps manage the signal quality of empty slots that can interfere with occupied slots.
Signal quality is assessed using an "eye chart," which visually represents the signal integrity. A clean rectangular shape represents a good signal, while a sinusoidal shape indicates interference. The host emphasizes the significance of the "eye" size for signal quality, noting that larger eyes indicate better conditions without overlapping signals.
Examples were provided to illustrate the differences in signal quality between conventional and Nitro Path slots at various speeds. The host highlights that with higher speeds (like 10,000 megatransfers), the conventional slots demonstrate poor signal integrity, causing issues that may prevent proper operation, while Nitro Path slots maintain a better signal, even if it diminishes at these higher speeds.
Further, the host discusses the construction of the memory slots. They explain that conventional slots have a uniform structure, whereas Nitro Path slots show a different approach, allowing the shorter bent section to make contact with the memory module.
Ultimately, the host concludes that the Nitro Path feature might not be essential in two-DIMM motherboards designed for higher memory speeds; hence this feature might not be seen on certain models. However, they learned that the technology used in Nitro Path was developed in collaboration with a slot manufacturer and will eventually become an open standard, leading to broader adoption across different motherboard brands in the future.
In summary, the main takeaway is that the Nitro Path memory feature addresses signal quality issues stemming from unoccupied memory slots—a factor often overlooked but crucial for high-performance memory configurations. The host expresses an appreciation for the complexity and implications of this technology, inviting viewers to consider it more deeply.