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.
