I
must state my disclaimer here. I am running a 400MHz FSB
board and a 333MHz FSB CPU so I highly doubt that I can
even see the top end of this RAM. However, as you will
see, I gain quite a bit of headroom when running the Kingston
in an overclocked environment.
For
these tests, I used a dual channel configuration and set
the memory/CPU ratio to 1:1. I then set the multiplier
to x9 and inched the FSB up 5 MHz at a time until I ran
into trouble. Form there I backed off 1 MHz at a time
until the FSB was stable. I then brought the multiplier
up as far as I could and still complete 3 runs through
3DMark 2001SE. I added voltage to the CPU and RAM when
needed and played with it until everything was stable.
The results were pretty good for a 333MHz FSB CPU on an
nForce2 board. I then ran PCMark04 and 3DMark01 with 3
runs for the best scores I could reach. I did not change
any of the graphics card clocks at all.
What
I was able to reach was 198MHzx11 for the Kingston, and
my max overclock remained the same for the XtremeDDR as
when I reviewed it last year, which was 182MHzx11. Itried
all altencies for the XtremeDDR and was never able to
get above 182MHz which is below its official rating of
200MHz... Of course things are a little different when
in an overclocked environment, and the CPU and motherboard
are being stressed here as well, so things need to work
together.
The
extra bus speed really helps out, we increase our bandwidth
530MB/sec, and even gain an 200 MB/sec lead over the XtremeDDR
top speed. Very impressive. Let's look at PCMark 2004.
We see more increases in bandwidth here, with thge leader
being the Kingston again. Lastly we'll see how overclocking
affects 3DMark 2001SE
WOW.. put it all together and we gain 800 points over
our stock score. The XtremeDDR held a 400 point lead over
the Kingston in our original dual channel test, but now
that we can crank up the FSB, the Kingston kicks dirt
in the face of it.I can only imagine how this RAM performs
in situatiuons where it can really let loose. At 198MHz,
we have barely reached the stock operating speed for this
RAM. Paired with a 400MHz Barton core, you would have
an extra 100MHz of headroom and still stay in spec for
this memory.
Although
probably representitive of the vast majority of AMD based
systems out there right now, it was becoming clear that
I really needed to switch platform if I was to find the
true limits of this memory. I have a 2.4c here but I'm
one of the relatively few people who landed one with a
slightly tame overclocking ceiling. With that problem
in mind I packaged up the memory and shipped it across
the pond to Wayne who I know has a 2.4c which is good
to at least 280MHz FSB. He also ran it on the same system
but equipped with a Prescott 3.2GHz CPU to see of the
improved architecture and increased cache would give much
of a boost. Here's the numbers he reported back to me:
His
setup consists of an Abit AI7 motherboard, and two flavors
of P4 CPU; one Prescott core, and one Northwood 2.4c.
| Run
at 200MHz on a Prescott system: |
| Sandra |
4861/4850 |
| PCMark04
Memory Marks |
4776 |
| Particle
Fury |
3808
Kp/sec |
| Run
at 200MHz on a Northwood 2.4C |
| Sandra |
4489/4480 |
| PCMark04
Memory Marks |
4154 |
| Particle
Fury |
3341
Kp/sec |
| Run
at Maximum SPD overclock of 230MHz on a Northwood
2.4C system: |
| Sandra |
5694/4707 |
| Run
at Maximum manually set timings (3-4-4-8) overclock
of 260MHz on a Northwood 2.4C system: |
| Sandra |
5792/5755 |
| PCMark04
Memory Marks |
5364 |
| Particle
Fury |
4191
Kp/sec |
NOTE - It needed
2.9v to hit its max of 260MHz. At 230MHz max it only just
passes its rated speed using SPD settings and default
voltages
Well
now, that's a little more impressive. The top overclock
Wayne was able to reach was 260MHz on a Northwood 2.4c.
He had to bring the timings down just a tad, and give
it a little voltage, but that's what overclocking is all
about now, isn't it? The Prescott system seemed to handle
memory bandwidth a little more efficiently as the scores
are better at the same speeds. This just goes to show
that this RAM has future potential for those considering
an upgrade to the A64, or if you own a P4 setup now. The
RAM seems stable, and is able to reach factory specs,
and have a little headroom (10MHz, but from 250MHz, there
is little need for ver much more with current hardware)
Follow
the link to the conclusions page.
