It wasn’t
that long ago many would have said using 2Gb of
memory in a normal desktop system would be overkill,
however in recent times it has definitely become
more of a necessity for the hardcore gamer. Titles
like Battlefield 2 benefit from the increased memory
volume and general desktop use can also be improved
if you are multitasking with a few demanding applications.
Today we
are going to take a look at a 2Gb kit from OCZ to
see if moving from some older 1Gb memory can show
any performance benefit and as this memory is capable
of running low timings at DDR466 we also take a
look at the overall improvements at those settings.
Packaging
OCZ’s
PC-3700 comes packaged in the (almost) industry
standard plastic packaging with a cardboard insert.
We’ve never been keen on this style of packaging
as it doesn’t provide much resistance to shipping
mishaps however that said, we’ve also never
received any damaged modules so cant criticise OCZ
for their packaging choice. One thing that is guaranteed
by this type of packaging is that the modules themselves
are on full display.
The Modules
The OCZ sticks
we are reviewing today are pictured below and are,
as is always the case with OCZ high spec memory,
lovely to look at. The PC-3700 Platinum comes encased
in an aluminium heatspreader which has a mirrored
effect. The design is quite different to most heatspreaders
though with these modules featuring a honeycomb
design.
OCZ call
this heatspreader design “Xtreme Thermal Convection”
as they increase cooling performance in two ways.
The first is that heat is more effectively dissipated
through the spreader and secondly there is greater
air circulation through the modules and no “dead”
air spaces.
In addition
to the unique heatspreaders, OCZ also employ advanced
PCB creation techniques and high quality components
to ensure that the sticks they sell are reliable
at high specifications whilst reducing the level
of electrical noise the product produces. In the
case of the Platinum modules being tested today
they have a particularly high specification with
guaranteed timings of 3-3-2-8 at DDR466 speeds.
The voltage used to achieve this is 2.8v though
the sticks remain under warranty up to 3.0v (+5%).
The sticks will of course run perfectly well at
DDR400 if this is the fastest speed your motherboard
supports.
Module Details from
OCZ:
466MHZ DDR
CL 3-3-2-8
(CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)
Unbuffered
Mirrored Platinum XTC Heatspreader
Lifetime Warranty
2.8 Volts
184 Pin DIMM
2GB (2x1024) D/C Kit PN – OCZP466EB2GK
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