Value DDR3 For Intel's P55: Six 4GB Kits Rounded Up
Test Settings
Test System Configuration | |
---|---|
CPU | Intel Core i5-750 (2.66 GHz, 8MB Cache) |
CPU Cooler | Thermalright MUX-120 |
Motherboard | Asus P7P55D v1.02G, BIOS 0606 (09/03/2009) |
Graphics | Zotac GeForce GTX260² 896MB 576/999 MHz GPU/Shader, GDDR3-2484 |
Hard Drives | WD VelociRaptor WD30000HLFS 300MB, 10,000 RPM, 16MB Cache |
Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
Power | Corsair CMPSU-850HX 850W Modular ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V, 80-Plus Gold |
Optical | Lite-On LH-20A1L, 20X DVD±R |
Software | |
OS | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
Graphics | Nvidia Forceware 190.62 WHQL |
Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.1.1014 |
We chose the Core i5-750 for today’s benchmarks because it’s the most likely LGA 1156 processor to be paired with low-cost RAM.
Unfortunately, the retail i5-750 we purchased does not support the correct memory multiplier to reach DDR3-1600 at the processor’s stock base clock. For today’s test we were forced to use 160 MHz as the base clock for testing DDR3-1600 speeds, yet we were able to retain Intel’s super-tiny boxed cooler.
Benchmark Configuration | |
---|---|
Stability Test | Memtest86+ v1.70, single pass (~45 minutes) Max Speed at CAS 9 Min Latency at DDR3-1600, 1333, 1066 |
Bandwidth Test | SiSoftware Sandra Version 2009.9.15.130 Bandwidth Benchmark |
CPU overclocking would have made anything more complex than a bandwidth benchmark unfair. We used Memtest86+ to verify stability at each memory kit’s highest speed and lowest latencies before obtaining those bandwidth numbers.
Summary
pity it ain't available in Australia :S
These kits totally deserved the Tom's award for best hardware of '09.
3GB modules don't make a lot of sense due to the way memory chips are organized. In order to do it "right" (same physical organization), you'd have to use different chips on each side of the module, such as 1gb chips on one side and 2gb chips on the other, and I'm not even sure such a module would be compatible with current memory controllers.
I was always leery of buying value RAM because I figured it failed a spec somewhere along the line and got thrown in the "sell it to Mikey because he'll buy anything" bin at the virtual store.
Glad you found this as well. I, and others on newegg who ordered that set of sticks, got DOA memory. Gave me errors and couldn't OC at all. It's crap RAM.
From the samples Tom's purchased it appears that there are two grades of memory: "Everything Else" and OCZ Gold.
If we could get a small sample of benchmarks with real apps (e.g., one or two games, an encoder or two, a file compressor or two) I think readers would have a far better understanding of what "Super-Value" means for them (and their apps/games/etc.)
I have an AM3 motherboard with 8 gig of ram and I could run memtest86+ for hours and not have any problems, boot into windows and have unpredictable crashes from minutes to hours later.
If I boot into windows and run the memory tester in the link below, the problem shows up within seconds or minutes.
I have no idea why this memory tester appears to be better than memtest86+.
After you get the system working reliably, run one of the CPU stress programs at the same time as the memory test to heat up the CPU and ram and see if the system is still reliable.
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html
I agree with those who stated it would have been informative to see some applications used in the test. Also, it would have been more informative if they had included one or two of the performance RAM for comparison.