PC8500 memory = expensive overvolted PC6400 memory?

I noticed that PC8500 (DDRII - 1066) memory is run at 2.0V (or sometimes even higher).

Could PC8500 memory actually be overvolted PC6400 memory, but sold at much higher prices?

The introduction to this article may shed some light on the subject.
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3053

Are you saying RAM manufacturer's 'rebadge' their PC6400 to higher rated speed simply by overvolting it and selling it for higher prices? Some do, but I don't think it is widespread.

As I said the standard for DDR2 memory is 1.8v. If you believe there really is DDR2 1066 memory then try to find some 1066 which runs at 1.8v. Mushkin's XP2 8500 is rated at 5-5-4-12 2.2v-2.35v. You are correct in the binning process so with buying higher speed RAM in most cases you are buying superior chips but I don't know of any high quality DDR2 800 that won't run at 1066 and beyond and just because it's sold as 8500 doesn't guarantee it will overclock better or faster than DDR2 800 it's just guaranteed to work overclocked to 1066.

This is an image of my RAM running at Mushkin's ratings for their 8500 and I paid $110 for 2x1gb. The price difference between Mushkin's 6400 and 8500 is only $10 which leads me to believe they are likely the same chips but I think other companies might skimp on the lower speed parts to come in at a lower price point. Also a lot of companies sell overvolted 667 as DDR2 800, if you look at the specs you will see something like DDR2 800 2.2v and when you put it in your system it will be running at DDR2 667 1.8v and you will have to manually increase it. The things companies do to screw consumers.

What are the SPD ratings for those PC2 8000?

At $31.25 a gig that's a really good price.

This is 8 gigs at 2.1v 5-5-5-15 no problem.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7972/8gbs123ho7.jpg

No it's just that JEDEC standards don't go over 800 so all DDR2 memory has to have a SPD rating of 400, 533, 667 or 800 at 1.8v, anything above that will be listed as EPP.

I think that one is a little confused because at first it has it running at 535 then it's 6400@399MHz. Buying higher rated RAM is less important than buying higher quality RAM. Your G.Skill is good memory but there are other companies which aren't so good and if you buy looking at price alone your likely to get burned. A lot of people will see 2x2GB PC8500 $98 or whatever and as I stated before a lot of companies will sell RAM at their EPP speeds like DDR2 800 5-5-5-15 2.2v when the SPD is DDR2 667 5-5-5-15 1.8v so their paying 800 prices for 667 memory.

Hey i just joined but here is something i have found,

Crucial DDR2 PC8500 2048MB CL7, 1.8V, 256Meg x 64, 240pin, 1066Mhz at:
http://www.crucial.com/store/parts [...] 5664AA1067

it doesnt look like it comes with a heatsink so here is one from newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185047

Since it is PC8500 and running at 1.8v and 1066mhz DDR2 some memory may be overvolted to look like PC8500 but not all is. hope this resolves the issue