More Testing:

At 1600MHz, the Front Side Bus and memory pour a great amount of extra performance in to 3DMark05. Stock performance alone shows that the memory helps provide a good amount of bandwidth to the test system. But, keep in mind that the E6600's 266MHz Bus has to be increased to 400MHz in order to get to the 1600MHz memory frequency option. At this point, the E6600 would normally be running at 3.6GHz with a multiplier of 9. Since, we don't want the system to be unstable, the Multi was dropped to 7 and the memory set to 1800MHz to eliminate any possible CPU or motherboard instabilities. The BIOS auto settings defaulted the memory to 9-9-9 where as setting the memory frequency held true to 8-8-8 timings with 2.1 volts. The 9-9-9 timings actually took a step backwards in performance and scored lower due to the higher memory timings even though a few more megahertz could be squeezed from the modules.

As with all overclocking, if the memory matches the Front Side Bus, performance gains can be quite noticeable. With the memory operating at 1600MHz, which is higher than the 1066 and 1333MHz Core 2 Duo processors, the system responds quicker to program execution and any game frame rates. If your graphics card is just a few frames short of "glass", then you'll be happy. Since most users who'll purchase this kind of memory don't usually go for the budget graphics card, they'll be more inclined to stick with the memory's rated frequency and turn their system in to something more extreme based.

CPUZ @ 1600MHz

1600 @ 7-7-7

1800 @ Auto BIOS

1800 @ 8-8-8

As far as saving money and going for a kit capable of matching something closer to what Patriot Memory has been able to do with their 1866MHz or OCZ's 1800MHz DDR3 kits, these modules are a good choice. You're not going to reach 1866 without higher timings, but you can at least hover around 1800MHz and not have had to pay for the price of an 1800MHz kit. On the same note, if you have the money for a qualified extreme 1600MHz kit, then chances are you have the means to skip ahead and purchase the faster kits so you won't have to worry about whether or not the kit you purchased is capable. Since, most current DDR3 motherboards aren't all tuned for 1800MHz, these G.Skill DDR3-1600 modules are looking better and better as the right choice.

Conclusion:

Now, one might think this is where I try to convince you that DDR3 is the choice of choices, but that just wouldn't be VH. The biggest reason to upgrade to a DDR3 based system is because you really want to tap in to Intel's Core 2 Duo and Quad series' performance potential. I have yet to hear about anyone unable to overclock their Core 2s with the exception of users with a timid motherboard. Overclocking the processor alone does pretty well, but matching memory frequencies can offer a great deal more performance in many cases. Unfortunately, AMD users have yet to see anything worthy of DDR3. Even with the release of the 790FX motherboards and Phenom processors, there still isn't anything from AMD that will benefit unless you're using the new ATI 3870 graphics cards.

The DDR2 versus DDR3 battle has died down a bit since DDR3 first arrived. Using some of the hardware forums and IRC channels dedicated to hardware, I've been able to see a lot of what many random users on the outside have had to say about it. Most of the educated users have cited DDR2 as being the optimal upgrade if someone is coming from an older DDR based system. (I'll leave out what the uneducated users had to say as it might damage your PC.) As far as the current best bang for buck performance, they are correct. DDR2 is still found all around the stores at really low prices for the 800MHz. Even the extreme kits are more affordable if you're looking to get some extra performance out of your system with higher frequency 1066 to 1200MHz DDR2 memory.

Until NVidia's next DDR3 supported chipsets arrive on new motherboards, DDR2 is still the only optimal solution for the 680i platforms. Stock DDR2 and DDR3 systems are comparable in terms of 3D performance. There isn't a huge difference when it comes to stock settings. But, on a Intel based platform comparing DDR2 to DDR3, you will notice some gains. This is especially true where the 1333 FSB Core 2 Duo is concerned. At 1066MHz, DDR3 and DDR2 will offer very little difference. Since DDR2 can't scale to 1333MHz without some very crazy voltage, DDR3 is the only option since it can operate natively and scale much higher.

As with most any 1600MHz DDR3 memory kit, the G.Skill DDR3-1600 kit is definitely aimed at offering some extra bandwidth and frequency to the power based enthusiasts. The IC's used to build these modules are upper echelon and don't fall short of perfection. The kit can absolutely keep up with any other 1066 to 1600MHz memory kit around as well as offer lower beneficial timings to the power user who prides raw, clean bandwidth over it's rated 1600MHz frequency. This is especially true for users on the P35 motherboards that support DDR3. As with the ASUS Blitz Extreme used in testing, 1600MHz is easily achievable since the board can scale to 500MHz CPU Bus. At some point, the processor's overclocked FSB out paces the 1600MHz memory which tops out at 1800MHz using 8-8-8-20 timings.

As far as DDR3 and supported motherboards are concerned, the G.Skill memory is top notch and will more than suffice even the pickiest user. This is one very nice looking kit with the performance to match. Whether or not you want to push these memory modules to 1800MHz depends mainly on your own personal preferences. Currently, only the top echelon DDR3 motherboards can even provide the all important link between a Core 2 and 1600MHz. In the past, my personal experiences with G.Skill memory that had HZ in the model number, such as the 2GBHZ kits, have been great.  Most of those kits have eventually migrated in to several other machines and have out lasted many of the other components accompanying them. Whether or not the HZ's record carries over to its previous successor appears to be answered after giving these modules a thorough beating. You can purchase these with a lifetime warranty and be certain it will not fail you.

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