With the introduction of AM2 socket by AMD all new high-end PCs are finally using DDR2 memories. Right now the standard DDR2 speeds are 533 MHz, 667 MHz and 800 MHz, but Patriot was one of the first manufacturers to release 1,066 MHz models. These models are not only targeted to both Intel and AMD over lockers but also to regular users that have an Intel CPU running externally at 1,066 MHz and want to match the memory with the CPU external speed to achieve the maximum performance your system can deliver. Patriot has released a 1 GB kit (PDC21G8500ELK, 2x 512 MB modules) and a 2 GB kit (PDC22G8500ELK, 2x 1 GB modules), both with 5-5-5-16 timings. We will review the 1 GB kit and compare it to its main competitor from Corsair, TWIN2X1024-8500, which is also a DDR2-1066/PC2-8500 1 GB memory kit with 5-5-5-15 timings.
The memory chips used are from Micron, D9GCT to be more exact – Micron’s full part number for these chips is MT47H64M8B6-37E:D, where “D†is the revision code. The funny thing is that officially these chips are rated as DDR2-553, so Patriot handpicks the chips they buy from Micron to see which ones can run at 1,066 MHz or above.
The competing memory modules from Corsair, TWIN2X1024-8500, are based on Micron’s D9GMH (MT47H64M8B6:D), which is originally a DDR2-667 part.
As each chip has a 512-Mbit density, eight chips are necessary on a 512 MB module (512 Mbits x 8 = 512 MB). On 1 GBs modules sixteen chips are used, eight soldered on each side of the printed circuit board.
• Total capacity: 1 GB (2x 512 MB modules)
• Speed: DDR2-1066/PC2-8500
• Programmed Timings: 5-5-5-16
• Recommended Voltage: 2.3 V
• Memory chips used: Micron D9GCT (MT47H64M8B6-37E:D)
• Warranty: Lifetime
• More Information: http://www.patriotmem.com
• Average Price in the US*: USD 75.00
• The second target is, of course, the overclocking community. With these modules
Patriot ensures that you will reach at least 1,066 MHz with them – and we were able to push the memory frequency up to 1,180 MHz in our tests – even if your motherboard doesn’t support DDR2-1066. Of course you must use an over clocking-oriented motherboard such as ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe, or buying this memory kit won’t make any sense at all.
This huge price gap crushes the idea of having average Joe installing this memory kit on their new Core 2 Duo system: as the performance difference between using DDR2-800 and DDR2-1066 was only between 3% and 7% in Quake 4 (you may have a higher performance gain in other games, though), we don’t think it is worthwhile as you can have twice the amount of RAM for the same price.
