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OCZ PC2-8800 2x1GB DDR2 Memory Kit Review   
Date Published:
08-31-2006
Written By:
Temujin
Edited By:
Diceman
Provided By:
OCZ Technology
Where to Buy:
OCZ Technology
Discuss Article:
VH Forum link
Pages: 1 2 3 4

 
 
 
 
 



AMD Test System:

Processor: AMD AM2 3500+ (2.2Ghz)
Motherboard: FOXCONN C51XEMAA2
(Bios: 612W1P23.BIN 8/5/06)
Storage: 80GB Seagate SATA II
Power Supply: Thermaltake 700 Watt Toughpower


Working this memory over on the FOXCONN C51XEMAA2 proved to be a bit more taxing. Leaving everything on AUTO did not yield the same exact results. The BIOS would scale as the memory frequency climbed, but at some point, became randomly unstable depending on the frequency and required a little more manual adjusting.


FOXCONN
C51XEMAA2

"XEM" with Aerocool
Freezer 64

Installing Memory

Gold XTC Display


The memory is capable of operating at 4-4-4-12/15 respectively, in both Intel and AMD systems. The voltages did have to be increased from 2.2 to 2.4 volts as the memory frequencies increased, otherwise the memory became unstable and would error in MemTest. Since, 2.4 volts isn't outside of the specifications, you would be perfectly fine if this is how you intend to use the memory.
 


4-4-4-12 @ 2.2v

4-4-4-12 @ 2.3v

4-4-4-12 @ 2.4v

4-4-4-12 @ 800Mhz

4-4-4-12 @ 868Mhz

4-4-4-12 @ 922Mhz


The modules ran error free at 1066Mhz with timings of 5-5-5-15 @ 2.3 volts. While 1070Mhz to 1080Mhz was obtainable at both 5-5-5-15 and 5-6-6-15, it still could not be considered stable as they produced MemTest errors no matter the memory voltage used.. Anything over 1080Mhz was randomly unstable and would crash. A future FOXCONN BIOS revision may enlighten us to the higher frequencies, but until then we have to settle for our limit.
 


5-5-5-15 @ 2.2v

5-5-5-15 @ 2.3v

5-6-6-15 @ 2.3v

5-5-5-15 @ 1024Mhz

5-5-5-15 @ 1066Mhz

5-6-6-15 @ 1066Mhz



Summary:

   These memory modules are very capable of performing at 1100Mhz and a bit above on the current Intel systems. Some users will find going above 1100Mhz to be a bit more of a challenge. Is this a bad thing? No, not at all. It achieves his specified rating with exactly what anyone would expect from this kind of memory. There are other memory models that will compare, but currently won't achieve much higher, if any. The price tag of the PC2-8800 Gold XTC and something along the lines of the VX2 PC2-8000, might be enough to sway your decision.

Voltages and timings set in AUTO and Manually, all operated to the specified speeds up to 1100Mhz. If you happen to have a motherboard and BIOS capable of AUTO timings and voltages based on your memory specifications, then you've made a good choice. It's still a good idea to double check the timings when you first boot up to make sure you aren't being cheated out of some extra memory bandwidth. If you want to use 4-4-4-12 memory timings, you will definitely have to manually set these timings, but with a lower maximum frequency of course.

It would have been really nice to see the FOXCONN carry the memory to 1100Mhz. Keeping things in perspective, though, the AM2 socket processors have an 800Mhz FSB by default while the Intel Core 2 Duo have 1066Mhz. The AM2 motherboards really aren't meant for 1100Mhz, but at the same time, FOXCONN should be able to utilize these higher BIOS memory frequency options, otherwise they are a waste of BIOS and a bit of a disappointment. We will keep looking to FOXCONN's future BIOS updates to make the gains that the comparable ASUS M2N32-SLI is capable of.

 
Conclusion:

   The OCZ PC2-8800 2GB Gold XTC Dual Channel Memory may be the equivalent of OCZ's VX2, and Platinum modules. The memory is definitely equipped to reach the 1100Mhz rating and being that it has quality memory modules also operates at better, tighter memory timings. Voltage scalability of 2.2 to 2.4 volts is also a plus as some memory modules require 2.4 or higher to even come close to matching these modules.

   This memory is definitely a great choice for anyone looking for memory that can operate at better CAS (tCL) Latency 4 timings, but also be able to achieve 1100Mhz with CAS (tCL) Latency 5 timings pleasing the overclockers. Based on its projected street price of $350 and performance, it will be the better choice as it gives you the best of both worlds.

 


 


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