Most of us technically savvy people we have to used the new DDR3 memory because of the computer like the Intel core 7i chipset the bigger and better X58 chipset and also the introduction of the new AMD Phenom II series with the better and the more expensive onboard memory controller. But now that DDR2 memory is being a cheaper alternative to most of the everyday computing and also the most overclockable by the prize ratio.
It has been a while since we last had a look at some memory. A couple of weeks ago, we spent a great deal of time looking at NVIDIA’s SLI, with five parts in all. We didn’t really cover memory in any great detail, because there are so many viable options for you to consider. Today, we are looking at some DDR memory from OCZ that is specifically tuned for DFI’s awesome LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR motherboard, which won bit-tech’s excellence award, being the best SLI motherboard that money can buy at the moment.
The modules are rated at an astonishing PC5000, which is roughly 313MHz (626MHz DDR) in laymans terms. OCZ guarantee the memory to run at 3.0-4-4-10 at those speeds, and we suspect that you will be able to achieve more than what you pay for if OCZ’s reputation is anything to go by. While the timings don’t seem blisteringly quick, when you consider that they’re rated at 313MHz, the timings are pretty respectable. Bear in mind that both Gigabyte’s and ASUS’ SLI motherboards were stable at front side bus speeds lower than what these modules are rated at, even after removing the memory limitation by running a divider.
The fact that OCZ guarantee that these memory modules will run at 626MHz is a testament to the quality of yield that both TCCD and TCC5 is capable of. The same chips are also used on OCZ’s PC4800 EL memory modules, and these are exactly the same modules, with the exception of the DRAMs being binned at a higher speed grade.
Aesthetically, the modules don the familiar OCZ Platinum heat spreader that is present on all of the company’s Platinum-series modules. However, the heat spreader has changed a little since the last time we reviewed a pair of OCZ modules – the OCZ logo is a little more prominent now. They’re typical copper heat spreaders with a chromed finish, and work well in practice – the modules do get quite hot when running at over 300MHz.
Looking back at our experiences with OCZ’s PC5000 EL Platinum Series memory modules, we found that we were unable to reach the rated 313MHz with our processor, memory and motherboard combination. However, we do not believe that the memory, or motherboard for that matter, was the problem. Our processor is based on the Claw hammer core, which has an older memory controller.
Unfortunately, due to the price, they’re modules that only the serious enthusiast who is looking for unparalleled performance at over 300MHz FSB is likely to consider. Everyone else should look for something with significantly better value.
