Mainboard Info

1000MHZ @ 5-5-5-15

CPU 250MHZ x 10x

   CPU-Z is a fantastic program to give you the heads up to exactly what your system specs are, right down to the memory timings. No need to head into your system BIOS for that with this program.

   As you can see in the shots above, I have to overclock my AM2 3500+ up to 250mhz FSB, using a 10x CPU multiplier, and a 4x HTT multiplier. That makes my 2.2ghz stock clock at 2.5ghz and the memory is at 1000mhz at 5-5-5-15 timings as specified.

Better Timings?:

   After extensive attempts at overclocking, and stabilizing, this memory I just couldn't seem to do it. I could not get it to complete any lengthy prime95 sessions above 1000mhz no matter how much voltage I gave it, and trust me, I gave it a ton. Even at up to 2.5v I could just not get it to stabilize. 

   However strangely enough, after about 25 reboots (most of them trying to go higher instead of lower!) I found that I was able to test this memory at better timings than specified versus higher clock speeds.

   Using 4-4-5-15 instead of 5-5-5-15 @ just 2.2v, which oddly enough is OCZ's specified maximum to retain the lifetime warranty, was a nice bonus. So here's some miscellaneous numbers at 5-5-5-15 and 4-4-5-15 instead for your enjoyment.

FutureMark:

3DMark05 = 10,759 4-4-5-15

3DMark06 = 5529 4-4-5-15

Sisoft Sandra Pro 2007:

   As you can see in the above comparison, running 4-4-5-15 or 5-5-5-15 doesn't make much difference even in benchmarks. It might look like a lot, but in real world, you'd never know the difference. However this isn't the real world...it's the virtual-hideout! har har har...moving on!

   Like I said I spent days testing, benching, but mostly trying my hardest to overclock this memory AND make it stable. I've got memory test results from numerous programs running memory speeds up to 1100mhz with this ram @ 5-5-5-15. However I could not make them stable during hardcore prime95 torture testing. Therefore I will not disclose results that are not stable.

   With more time (weeks) and patience (of Ghandi) you may be able to actually stabilize this memory at higher speeds than 1000mhz. However do not expect a ton, since I have a feeling this memory is already overclocked as it is out of the box. That's nothing against the memory, it does exactly what it's suppose to do, and that is run 1000mhz at 5-5-5-15. That it certainly does and withstood 12hours of prime95 torture testing.

   Running speeds of 4-4-5-15 was also completely stable for me with increased voltage of 2.2v and withstood over 8 hours of prime95 testing. That is quite an accomplishment in and of itself and certainly worth noting. Just remember memory is just as sensitive as a CPU and your kit may not run at lower latencies (but it's worth a shot!).

   Keep in mind as with any overclocking (or running at reduced latencies as the case may be), all is not equal. Obtaining 4-4-5-15 might not take 2.2v from your system. You may be able to do it at default voltage, however you may also not be able to do it at all with any voltage settings on your motherboard. Like I said I tried like crazy getting this memory stable above 1000mhz and even at voltages at high as 2.5v I just couldn't do it. You need to expect that when purchasing parts on an 'overclocking' basis.

   My suggestion is buy what you need, and if you get more than that, be happy. However do not buy less than you need and hope you get what you really need. You will usually end up disappointed. So if you want 800mhz, buy some 800mhz, but if you want 1000mhz and you want to KNOW you'll get 1000mhz, then here's a very good option for you.

Conclusion:

   OCZ has once again pushed the limits of ultra-high quality memory. Their new 2x1GB PC2-8000 EL Platinum XTC is impressive to say the least. Remember now, this is running at 1000mhz at only 5-5-5-15 and 2.1v. To top that, those are the official specs directly from OCZ. How many high quality 1000mhz 2x1GB DDR2 kits are out there? Not many. Why? Because it takes a special company to go above and beyond the call of duty. DDR2-800 is all that's officially supported out there on the market so most companies don't bother with the low yield, high cost segment of the market known as the uber-geeks :)

   OCZ doesn't stop there though. Not only do they push the limits of both speed and latency, they also push the edge in the looks department. The mirror-finished dual heatspreaders on this 2x1GB kit is impressive and certainly the best looking memory kit I've seen up close (not including LED's....LED's own me). Although their new Special Ops limited edition memory looks very nice :)

   So in closing, I can certainly recommend this kit on it's 1000mhz performance in a 2x1GB kit , and it's tidy timings of 5-5-5-15. Don't expect too much overclocking with this particular kit, however 1000mhz should be more than enough for most. Big thanks to OCZ for making this review of the 2x1GB PC2-8000 EL Platinum XTC possible and also for continuing to help drive the memory industry.