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RightMark Memory Analyzer:-
Patriot 2.5-3-2-5
OCZ - 200MHz FSB - 2.5-3-2-5
OCZ - 200MHz FSB - 2-2-2-5
OCZ - 230MHz FSB - 2-2-2-5
PerformanceTest V5.0:-
Patriot - 200MHz FSB - 2.5-3-2-5
OCZ - 200MHz FSB - 2.5-3-2-5
OCZ - 200MHz FSB - 2-2-2-5
OCZ - 230MHz FSB - 2-2-2-5
There are a number of things that can be drawn of these results. Set aside the system being used for testing and consider that it’s more down to the type of chip being used in each module, among other things. I must mention first that the Patriot ram has served my admirably for the last year. However, there’s no doubt that with things being equal, the OCZ performed very nicely compared to the Patriot modules. When I asked the OCZ ram to give me more via higher voltages and timings, it stepped up nicely. I will admit I cant push it as far and hard is id like as I might on a better system, but regardless, those who are non overclockers will appreciate the nice performance at non overclocked speeds. What’s more, and again, for comparison's sake, is that the Patriot ram balked at any timing speed increase I threw at it, even at stock speeds. If I set the CAS to 2 as opposed to 2.5, it wouldn’t even boot, sending me into yet another frenzied CMOS clearing and BIOS resetting event. The OCZ booted just fine at SPD timings of 3-3-3-7 all the way up to 2-2-2-5 at both 200FSB to 230FSB.
Conclusion
The 3DVelocity 'Dual Conclusions Concept' Explained: After discussing this concept with users as well as companies and vendors we work with, 3DVelocity have decided that where necessary we shall aim to introduce our 'Dual Conclusions Concept' to sum up our thoughts and impressions on the hardware we review. As the needs of the more experienced users and enthusiasts have increased, it has become more difficult to factor in all the aspects that such a user would find important, while also being fair to products that may lack these high end "bonus" capabilities but which still represent a very good buy for the more traditional and more prevalent mainstream user. The two categories we've used are:
The Mainstream User ~ The mainstream user is likely to put price, stock performance, value for money, reliability and/or warranty terms ahead of the need for hardware that operates beyond its design specifications. The mainstream user may be a PC novice or may be an experienced user, however their needs are clearly very different to those of the enthusiast, in that they want to buy products that operate efficiently and reliably within their advertised parameters.
The Enthusiast ~ The enthusiast cares about all the things that the mainstream user cares about but is more likely to accept a weakness in one or more of these things in exchange for some measure of performance or functionality beyond its design brief. For example, a high priced motherboard may be tolerated in exchange for unusually high levels of overclocking ability or alternatively an unusually large heat sink with a very poor fixing mechanism may be considered acceptable if it offers significantly superior cooling in return.
The Mainstream User ~
For the regular end user, selecting what components comprise your systems makeup can be a daunting task. You always have to weigh out price vs. performance issues, and where to spend slightly more, and where to ease up. Admittedly, Ram isn’t one of those areas you want to skimp on, however, there is room for play, so to speak. In other words, it is possible to get good performance at a lower cost. I would be hard pressed to recommend going with this ram for the expense incurred, for everyday regular use. Moreover, those with slightly older systems may not necessarily be able to take full advantage of the speeds and voltages that this ram can handle. Thus making it a moot issue.
On the other hand, value, when it comes to ram is hard to define. If you want room to play, then the question is down to how much are you willing to pay? There is no doubt that this ram performs. There is also no doubt that this ram gives you room to grow and bust out of the stock speed box, if you will, whenever you’re ready to do so. It’s hard to not like the slick looks, and a nice warranty along with it.
The Enthusiast ~
I cant see where the enthusiast wouldn’t like this kit, with the possible exception of it not being a much higher speed of ram for overclocking overhead proposes, but unless your shooting for a world record, do you need all that?
Here I must hearken back to a phrase from my youth "Its on like Donkey Kong!" This ram does what you ask of it. It almost begs to be hooked up to a local power station and filled with all the power you can toss at it. It handles all the timings you throw at it, it has copper heatspreaders, Winbond BH-5 chips, and a nice slick look. It has a Warranty backed by a company that seems intent on providing what we enthusiasts want.
We're always looking for ways to make our reviews fairer. A Right To Reply gives the manufacturer or supplier of the product being reviewed a chance to make public comments on what we've said. They can explain perhaps why they've done the things we were unhappy with or blow their own trumpet over the things we loved. It's easy for us to pick a product apart but sometimes things are done a certain way for very specific reasons.
Should OCZ decide to exercise their "Right To Reply", we'll publish their comments below:
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