Patriot Memory 4GB PC2-6400LLK Dual Channel Memory Kit

Introduction:

One thing that can always make a computer operate like a new machine is memory. If you've ever used your system with the bare minimum amounts of memory or just enough to get the job done, then you've held your system back and probably noticed lots of lag. Plenty of system memory means your machine will perform much smoother with little or no lag. This is especially true with today's Windows XP Pro or Vista running these huge new games like Crysis and Call of Duty 4. The larger the data amount, the quicker the access and read times seem due to the extra memory.

Today's latest Vista claims that 4GB is ideal and offers the best performance. This isn't the required amount of memory, but is "highly" recommended. In fact, most real world users will tell you that Vista has been running on 1GB systems with only minimal issues. You'll find plenty of laptops and desktops at big retailers commonly with 1GB, while companies like Dell are quick to offer 2GB. I've personally been on the receiving end of the salesman's technical wisdom and just let them practice their pitch. The truth is that 2GB of memory in most any system will operate and react equally no matter what Operating System you would like to use.

However, since more memory means less need for the system to keep moving data around trying to prioritize applications, 4GB has never, ever been a bad thing. This kind of memory space means you've reached Windows XP Pro and Vista's maximum memory allocation capability. There's really not one thing negative you can argue against 4GB of 800MHz DDR2 memory, especially given the current cost. While you can pick up 2GB of 800MHz DDR2 for as little as $55.00, then you can pretty much surmise just how much 4GB of 800MHz DDR2 will cost. When you consider prices of around $120.00, there isn't any reason why your new DDR2 system shouldn't have 4GB.

Patriot Memory has one such 2x2GB PC2-6400LLK (Low Level Latency) memory kit for both XP and Vista users alike. Their 4GB kit is also currently the only kit around that I could find that offers stock 4-4-4-12 memory timings where as the rest seem happy to stop with 5-4-4-15 timings which aren't all that bad a thing. The price comparison between the two is so minimal, it seems only fitting that you would consider the lower, better timings for the optimal performance. Let's have a look and see how 4GB does versus 2GB.


Specifications:

Closer Look:
 

Front

800MHz 4-4-4

The goods

Other than the fact that these are 2 x 2GB DDR2 low level latency modules underneath, the heat spreaders haven't changed in regards to past DDR2. Future heat sinks will have a new look and be designed completely different. As with the entire 800MHz line, the kit is aimed at budget oriented consumers who can forego the usual fancier heat spreaders and spend more of their money on the 4-4-4 timings. The heat spreaders are very, very well attached to the ICs underneath. If you're curious about what kind it uses, I did find out that the ones underneath only say Patriot Memory on them. So, risking the module's condition by pulling off the spreaders isn't worth it.

Front

Back

As mentioned earlier, finding other 4GB kits with 4-4-4 timings proved fruitless. The only other manufacturer to offer 4-4-4 timings in a 4GB kit at some point was Mushkin and my efforts to locate any for sale came up empty. The apparent issue with producing these kinds of kits was related to ICs and them being able to handle the voltage needed to keep them stable. Regular PC2-6400 kits can use as little as 1.9 volts while these larger ICs must have more power or else instability rears its ugly head.

Spec tabs

Specs up close

At 2.2 volts, one has to wonder if heat will be an issue due to the larger capacity ICs. This may not matter at all since there are 2GB kits which are capable of using 2.4 volts native and on up to 2.6 volts when insanely overclocked. Some lower end motherboards may run in to issues when trying to power 2 x 2GB of memory if the VDIMM voltage is set to Auto. If you find that your system has had a few odd and random issues, it might be time to try setting the BIOS to 2.2 volts manually, or maybe even 2.3 volts. However, some PC2-6400 5-4-4 kits have been able to maintain 4-4-4 timings with an increase of 2.2 or 2.3 volts from their 2.0 volt original specs.

Hint...hint...

The other thing that will almost certainly be different is the overclocking potential. Using 2 x 1GB kits have quite often been a breeze to overclock if they are good quality PC2-6400 4-4-4 or faster modules. As long as your system can handle the task, performance designed dual channel kits 2GB and smaller can drastically improve your system's performance when overclocked. Unfortunately, past experiences have shown almost all 4GB kits typically can achieve a mere 100MHz increase due to their capacities. They are unforgiving and are much more susceptible to voltage and frequency irregularities.

4GB of DDR2

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