The OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit and Corsair XMS3200LL Pro Series Twinx Memory Kit
will be run through a series of benchmark applications to record overall system performance All tests
were run multiple times to derive a performance average. The benchmark applications used in this test
consist of the following:
SiSoftware Sandra 2005 Pro (Memory Bandwidth Benchmark)
PCMark04 (System, CPU & Memory Benchmark)
3DMark 2001 SE
Super Pi (1M calculation)
Everest Home Edition 2.01 (Memory Read & Write Benchmark)
AquaMark3
Doom 3
SiSoft Sandra 2005 Pro: SiSoftware Sandra 2005 Pro (System Analyzer, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant)
is an information and diagnostic utility which allows the user to retrieve information about the CPU,
Chipset, Video adapter, Ports, Printers, Sound Card, Memory, Network, Windows internals, AGP, ODBC
Connections, USB2, 1394/Firewire and more. I will be using the built in CPU Multimedia and Memory
Bandwidth benchmarking modules. More information on this application can be found
here.
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Overall memory bandwidth at 200 MHz topped out just under 5GB/s for both modules. The Sisoft Sandra
Memory Benchmark test results demonstrate the OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit BH5
memory modules perform slightly better than the Corsair XMS3200LL Pro Series modules in stock and
overclocked modes.
PCMark04: PCMark04 is a widely used benchmark that consists of a series of tests relevant
to that of common tasks in home and office programs. PCMark04 tests the CPU, RAM and Hard Drive
and returns individual results for each. More information on this application can be found
here.
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The OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit manages to excel in practically the majority of
the PCMark04 test suites delivering a with a slightly higher score average of 43-53 points. Once again
we see that the low latency of 2-2-2-5 doesn’t seem to keep the OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold
(2-2-2-5) Kit from very achieving respectable results.
3D Mark 2001 SE: 3D Mark 2001 Second Edition is a DirectX 8 and higher based benchmark that runs
through a series of renderings and game sequences to test several aspects of the system including video
card and CPU stability and performance. A final score is then received upon completion in which can be
used to compare to an online database of thousands of results and system configurations. All default
settings were used. More information can be found here.
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The 3DMark 2001 SE tests demonstrate the kind of performance you could expect if you were to upgrade
your PC. The scores derived in this test again represent the performance margin running the
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit and Corsair XMS3200LL Pro Series Twinx Memory modules
in stock and overclocked modes.
Super Pi: Super Pi is a program that computes Pi to a set amount of decimal places and returns
a time result. Similar to the other benchmarking software used, users compare their result as a basis
for a performance indicator. I will be using the 1M option, which calculates Pi to 1 million decimal
places.
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Super Pi is a very processor and memory frequency dependant small benchmark. The performance margin
between both modules were very close and only seperated by 4 seconds in stock and overclocked modes.
Everest Home Edition 2.01: Everest Home Edition 2.01 formerly AIDA32 is a professional system
information, diagnostics and benchmarking program. This application has the capability to extract
details of all components inside a PC. The application includes a built-in hardware database which has
detailed information on 27000 components well as a full hardware & software report that spans over 85
pages. More information can be found here
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Similar to SiSoftware Sandra 2003, Everest Home Edition 2.01 is a synthetic benchmark used to test
various aspects of performance on a variety of machines. The Read scores demonstrate maximum read times
in the 5.9GB/s bracket while operating at 233MHz and just below the 5.6GB/s at 400MHz for either memory
configuration. Memory write results were steady in the 1.9GB/s area which do not fluctuate as greatly.
AquaMark3: AquaMark3 is a powerful tool used to determine reliable information about the gaming
performance of a computer system. This benchmark extensively utilizes DirectX 9, DirectX 8 and DirectX 7
functionality and represents the requirements of typical gaming applications in 2004 and 2005. More
information can be found here.
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The scores were very impressive running at 1024x768, noFSAA, 4x Antisotrophy and again represents the
performance margin when the OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit modules are run past
their 400MHz specification.
Doom 3: Doom 3 is ID software's sci-fi horror masterpiece which combines a dramatic storyline,
pulse-pounding action, incredible graphics, and revolutionary technology combine to draw you into the
most frightening and gripping first person gaming experience ever created. More information can be found
here
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Doom 3 is known to rely heavily on CPU power and with highly overclockable memory and a high-end video card,
most consumers will be able to achieve reasonable frame rates. On average only 6 fps seperated the
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold from the Corsair XMS3200LL Pro Series.
Conclusion:
The OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold (2-2-2-5) Kit represents a high quality memory solution for
those wanting to run synchronous speeds up to and possibly above 240MHz DDR. The quality of each module
is excellent and carries an OCZ Lifetime warranty, which will appeal to many consumers. The 1GB capacity
will cater to a wide range of users for various memory intensive applications and leading edge games.
Add in OCZ branded technologies such as EVP® and ULN and you have a fantastic product offering. By far
the biggest benefit of this product is the performance and stability in dual channel mode. In each of
the tests performed, the OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold Kit provided some decent numbers to
reflect my test rig's overall performance. What should be noted is that these benchmark numbers are
relative only to this configuration and will change as components are removed and upgraded. The low
latency settings for these particular modules allow you to really push this ram by either raising your
FSB or using a CPU/DRAM ratio and adjusting your memory timing settings. Ideally, consumers will have
to tweak various aspects of their system settings to achieve the type of performance warranted for
system stability. During my evaluation, I didn't experience any negative issues with this product and
can only comment that the effectiveness of the gold layered copper heat spreaders is debatable. From
a price point the OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold Kit is competitively priced against its competitors
making it affordable for those consumers looking for good performance results. Overall, I’m rating the
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Gold Kit MTB's Seal of Approval and a final rating of
9.5 out of 10. If you have any questions
regarding this review be sure to visit the OCZ Technology
website for more information or discuss them in our forums.
Pros:
Price
Features EVP® and ULN technology
Performance
Ability to run tighter timings at lower frequencies
Quality
Lifetime Warranty
Cons:
No native design for nForce 2 Ultra 400
Effectiveness on gold layered copper heatspreaders is debatable
Pros:
Cons:
