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• Patriot Memory DDR2-1000 Offers Top Performance Reads At 8.6 GB/sec

  Memory vendor Patriot Memory was a relative unknown here at THG. It sent us 512 MB memory modules labeled DDR2-1000 at the start of our testing. Surprisingly, they achieved the fast CL3.0 timing mode at standard input voltage levels (1.8 v). Like the Corsair RAM for ambitious PC freaks, these modules are the real deal at 500 MHz: They achieved a stunning maximum data transfer rate of 8.6 MB/sec while reading - the highest value we measured. We recommend these modules with no reservations. Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Patriot Memory Manufacturer Details Website: patriotmem.com Speed: DDR2-1000 (PC8000) Timings: CL 5.0-5-5-5 Size: 512 MB (1 rank, 4 banks) single sided Label: PDC21G8000ELK 1 GB PC2-8000 (5-5-5) (2X512 MB) Kit PD000069-P A0015575 Module SPD-Timings DDR2-1000 (500 MHz) CL 5.0-5-5-15 DDR2-800 (400 MHZ) CL 4.0-4-4-12 Refresh Rate: 7.8 us, Self-Refresh Voltage: 1.8 - 2.3 V Test Test I (default): DDR2-667, CL 4.0-4-4-12, 1.8V Test II (timing): DDR2-667, CL 3.0-3-3-8, 1.80 V Test II (overclocking): DDR2-888@1000 (500 MHz) 2.2V Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

• What's The Fastest Memory For Overclocking? Continued

  Each DDR2 memory module - the test version and the one we purchased - is being tested on a separate PC system; both systems have identical hardware components. While the machines are running, the memory clock is gradually increased until the system crashes. This method ensures that the uppermost limit has been reached; the procedure is the same as that used by overclockers. This test gives the user precise information about which memory modules are suitable for high clocking rates and which are not. The following memories are on the test schedule in the next few days: GeIL Kingston OCZ Samsung Mushkin This live stress test links seamlessly to the previous comparison test, where we investigated 16 different manufacturers with modules ranging from DDR2-533 through DDR2-1000. The conclusion of this test series was that the memory from Corsair and Patriot Memory was most convincing, and Aeneon did not do badly either. Both GeIL and TakeMS had some shortcomings, however. Since some memory modules are not available everywhere for retail, we concentrated on the five candidates listed above. Overview Stress Test Live Memory Status Date Memory Module Results Tuesday, April 11 GeIL DDR2-667 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 The retail memory crashed at 421 MHz while the review sample was able to reach 471 MHz before crashing. On April 12, we found that the used processor was the culprit, because it did not overclock reliably enough. We will repeat this test next weekend. Wednesday, April 12 Kingston DDR2-900 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 Kingston did well: The review sample crashed at 471 MHz, while the retail bought RAM did better and crashed at 476 MHz. Thursday, April 13, to Monday, April 17 GeIL DDR2-667 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 We repeated this test run over the weekend due to test system issues. GeIL's DDR2-667 now hit DDR2-942 speed both with the retail bought DIMMs and the review samples. Tuesday, April 18 OCZ DDR2-800 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 The retail bought memory achieved 455 MHz, while the review samples went up to 473 MHz. This is a 3.8% difference. Wednesday, April 19 Samsung DDR2-667 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 Samsung retail memory outperformed the review samples by 14%. Thursday, April 20 A-Data DDR2-1000 vs. Corsair DDR2-1000 CL5.0-5-5-15 2.2 Volt single sided 64 Mbit x 8 Neither A-Data and Corsair hit their DDR2-1000 goals on the Gigabyte test motherboard. Test is scheduled Bought memory does not perform as good as the test sample Test running Bought memory performs like the test sample

• Conclusion

  Choosing DDR2 RAM can be a challenge: The asking price is obscene, the specifications are often bewildering and the price range is huge. After three weeks of testing offerings from 16 different vendors, however, our buying recommendations are unwavering: Today, Corsair offers the fastest DDR2 modules available on the market. These modules aren't cheap, and most likely will appeal to PC enthusiasts, but they also offer optimal performance levels. The only other vendor that offers comparable figures is the newcomer Patriot Memory with its DDR2-1000 memory modules. With maximum data transfer rates of 8.6 GB/sec for reading, both of these vendors proved unbeatable, and no other offerings achieved genuine memory speeds of 500 MHz. Which to choose? Indeed, you can find 1 GB memory modules at under $60 and get decent performance. But cheap isn't optimal - if you go for Corsair or Patriot Memory you'll spend a lot more. Those inclined to seek out the best price/performance ratio should opt for Infineon's budget Aeneon RAM instead. The vendor sent us only DDR2-533 modules, but they convinced us with their extraordinary overclocking potential, topping out at 406 MHz (DDR2-812). This raises the question of what modules with DDR2-667 on their labels really should be able to offer. A-Data's offerings proved a pleasant surprise: These modules achieved a record value of 3.2 GB/sec during write testing. Altogether we were able to determine that at default speeds (DDR2-667 or 333 MHz), very good RAM modules attain data transfer rates of 7.5 GB/sec while reading, and 2.5 GB/sec while writing. Top overclocking speeds boost these values to 8.6 GB/sec and 3.1 GB/sec, respectively. Our weakest performer at default speeds was Geil's device, which had the lowest values. From the get-go, TakeMS proved a total disappointment, and only worked at speeds of 200 MHz (DDR2-400). For that reason, we will not include this candidate in our next round of tests. It's also interesting that devices from firms we've tested the least come from vendors that build their own products from start to finish. According to our data, only A-Data, Aeneon (Infineon), Crucial/Micron and Samsung make their memory chips themselves. Some vendors, such as TakeMS for example, buy the chips and overwrite the labels with their own using a laser etching tool. Others omit this step, and use the chips as-is with original labels intact on their memory modules, along with their own stick-on labels and logos. Companies such as Kingston buy memory wafers in order to cut, package and assemble their products themselves. In our upcoming live stress test, we'll report how the top candidates we tested here - from Corsair, Patriot Memory and A-Data- perform when test units are purchased anonymously through retail channels. Those results should be interesting, indeed. Join our discussion on this topic