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OCZ Dual Channel DDR2 "GOLD"
PC2-5400
When it
comes to memory, there are a lot of brands to choose from. To make matters
worse, every ram manufacturer seems to make a dozen or more models of what
appears to be the same thing. OCZ has tried to make the selection process as
simple as possible by naming their models in a hierarchical kind of sense. We
start at the bottom of the performance ladder with the "value" brand and then
work up through the names of precious metals from there. We know that PC2-5400
is supposed to be 'faster' than PC2-4200, but that numerical designator alone
doesn't tell the whole story. RAM is a complex component with one common
denominator; the more it costs, the performance potential it has. All PC2-5400 is
supposed to have a clock speed of 667MHz, so the difference will all come down
to its latency timings.
Gold Series
DDR2 from OCZ is available in three speed ratings [PC2-4200/5400/6400] and is
packaged as both single modules and dual-channel kits. For this review, I have a
dual-channel kit of PC2-5400 in 2x 512MB for a 1GB kit. Wrapped in the signature
Gold colored heat spreaders, the OZ logo is guarantees a Lifetime warranty and
outstanding technical support.
Specifications:
►
PC2-5400 (667MHz) DDR2
► Latency:
(4-4-4-8) CAS:4 / TRCD:4 / TRP:4 / TRAS:8
► Operating
Voltage: 1.8volts
** 2.2 volts "Extended Voltage Protection" - EVP. Usage in this zone does not
violate OCZ lifetime warranty.
The GOLD series DDR2 also has another
standard feature, the Enhanced Latency Technology. While the CAS settings are
truly nothing extraordinary for memory in this speed class, the low operating
voltage coupled with the high EVP clears headroom at both ends of the
overclocking spectrum. With increased voltage, we can either try and clock the
RAM lower with lower latency timings or clock the ram higher for higher bus
speeds. The trick is do to testing on your own system to see which will yield
the highest gain in performance while maintaining 100% stability.
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