|
|
 |
|
Product:
|
OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit |
|
Price:
|
$271 (CDN) / $235 (U.S)
|
|
Supplied By:
|
OCZ Technology
|
|
Author:
|
Hi-TEK
|
|
Date:
|
February 16th, 2006
|
|
Rating:
|
|
|
Benchmarking:
The OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit and Corsair TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR500 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. In order to test the overclocking aspect of the
OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 and Corsair TwinX2048-4000PT, I slowly increased the FSB from 200MHz upwards in 5MHz
intervals being sure to test for stability at each phase. I was able to scale to 250MHz while maintaining
the strict timings of 3-4-3-8 using a multiplier of 9 (250MHz x 9 = 2250MHz). The benchmark applications
used in this test consist of the following:
- 3DMark 2001 SE
- 3DMark05 Pro Build 120
- Aquamark03
- Doom3
- PCMark04
- Super Pi (1M calculation)
- Everest Ultimate Edition 2005
- SiSoftware Sandra 2005 Pro SR2 (Memory Benchmark)
3D Mark 2001 SE: 3D Mark 2001 Second Edition is a DirectX8 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.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
The set of recorded scores throughout 3D Mark 2001 SE testing were impressive and the overclocked
results providing a 5747 mark performance boost. The OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit
was slightly faster than the Corsair TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR500 Memory Kit despite running at
the same latency settings.
3DMark05 Pro Build 120: 3DMark05 is best suited for the latest generation of DirectX9 graphics cards. It is
the first benchmark to require a DirectX9 compliant hardware with support for Pixel Shaders 2.0 or higher. By
combining high quality 3D tests, CPU tests, feature tests, image quality tools, and much more, 3DMark05 is a
premium benchmark for evaluating the latest generation of gaming hardware. More information can be found
here.
|
Click image for larger view
|
All 3DMark05 scores were respectable with only a small marginal difference in overclocked mode with 27 marks
and 486 mark difference in stock mode.
AquaMark3: AquaMark3 is a powerful tool to determine reliable information about the gaming performance of a
computer system. The benchmark extensively utilizes DirectX9, DirectX8 and DirectX7 functionality and it represents
the requirements of typical gaming applications in 2005. More information can be found here.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
In Aquamark3, the scores were very close in both stock and overclocked modes. All results were derived with
an average FPS rating of 66.87 for stock and 69.24 for overclocked modes.
Doom3: Doom3 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. Built on id Software's
revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, Doom3 is the perfect stress test for today's high-end hardware.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
Doom3 conveniently includes a timedemo function that allows you to benchmark your system while in
console mode. I ran the timedemo benchmark three times to get an average FPS rating in stock and
overclocked modes. In stock mode 2148 frames were rendered in 29.8 seconds at 75.9 FPS. In overclocked
mode 2148 frames were rendered in 25.4 seconds at 89.1 FPS.
PCMark04: PCMark04 is an application based benchmark and a premium tool for measuring overall PC
performance. It uses portions of real applications instead of including very large applications or using
specifically created code. This allows PCMark04 to be a smaller installation as well as to report very
accurate results. In this particular test scores were dervived using the Graphics Test Suite at
1024x768. More information can be found here.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
In the PCMark04 benchmark, overall test results were good with the OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB
Dual Channel Kit scoring 146 marks for stock mode and 98 points for overclocked mode when compared to the
Corsair TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR500 Memory Kit.
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.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
Super Pi is a very processor/memory frequency dependant benchmark. We can see the Corsair
TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR500 Memory Kit with a clear performance boost when running at
a higher Front Side Bus. A total of 5 seconds was shaved off when calculating PI for a
total time of 35 seconds at 250 FSB.
Everest Ultimate Edition 2005: Everest Ultimate Edition 2005 is an industry leading system
diagnostics and benchmarking solution for enthusiasts PC users, based on the award-winning Everest
Technology. During system optimizations and tweaking it provides essential system and overclock
information, advanced hardware monitoring and diagnostics capabilities to check the effects of the
applied settings. CPU, FPU and memory benchmarks are available to measure the actual system
performance and compare it to previous states or other systems. More information on this application
can be found here.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
Similar to SiSoft Sandra 2005 SR2 , Everest Ultimate Edition 2005 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 6.2GB/s bracket while operating at 500MHz and just below the 5.5GB/s at 400MHz for either memory
configuration. Memory write results were steady in the 1.9GB/s to 2.5GB/s in stock and overclocked modes.
SiSoft Sandra 2005 SR2: SiSoftware Sandra 2005 SR2 (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.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
For SiSoft Sandra 2005 SR2 testing the single Memory Benchmark was run for testing the OCZ EL DDR PC-4000
Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit and TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR Memory modules. There were consistent
performance increases noted in all categories with OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC scoring higher for
Integer Buffered and Float Buffered modes. What should be noted is that these calculated results are
synthetic and don't represent real world performance results.
|
|
Conclusion:
It is no surprise that OCZ continues to revitalize its product line with the inclusion of memory
modules that cater to specific enthusiast groups. The OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual
Channel Kit represents a high quality memory solution for those wanting to run synchronous speeds
up to and possibly above 250MHz DDR. The quality of each UCCC module is excellent and carries an OCZ
Lifetime warranty. The 2GB capacity will cater to a wide range of users for various memory intensive
applications and leading edge games. New to the product line is the introduction of the
new XTC or Xtreme Thermal Convection heatspreaders which optimize thermal management by promoting
greater airflow and stability. 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-4000 Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual
Channel Kit managed to beat Corsair's TwinX2048-4000PT PC4000 DDR Kit in terms of performance and scores.
What should be noted is that these benchmark numbers are relative only to my test rig's configuration
and will change as components are removed and upgraded. Consumers looking for a larger range of overclocking
capability should definitely look at OCZ's Platinum Series modules. Overall, I was impressed with OCZ EL DDR PC-4000
Gold GX XTC 2GB Dual Channel Kit and award MTB's Seal of Approval and a final rating of
9 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
- Excellent overclocking performance
- Ability to run tighter timings at lower frequencies
- Quality
- Xtreme Thermal Convection heatspreaders
- Lifetime Warranty
|
| |
Cons:
- Overclocking results may vary with slower latencies
- Effectiveness on the XTC heatspreaders is debatable
- Motherboard requires higher voltage options
|
|
|
|
|
|
