A-Data Vitesta DDR2-800 2X512MB : The initial impression after using the Vitesta 800MHz was disappointing. Their stock performance lagged considerably behind the rest of the contenders. We thought that this could be because it is the only 2X512MB set in the round-up; however the gaming tests proved us mistaken. Negatives aside, the overclocking capabilities of the set were impressive. They could withstand the lowest possible timings at 800MHz and overclock to over 1000MHz with ease, even with 1.9V! When overclocked, their performance could easily compare to the rest of the modules. We should also mention that the Vitesta modules are the cheapest set of the round-up, retailing for slightly more than cheap value RAM modules, which make them look very promising for overclockers on a budget.

The average retail price of the A-Data Vitesta set is 110$.

Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3 : Currently the best 800MHz kit from Corsair certainly did not disappoint. The tight stock timings offered perhaps the best overall stock performance and the modules had very good overclocking capability as well. Their ability to sustain tight timings was exceptional. With their EPP support, they are the ideal kit for high end AM2 based systems. Their only ‘problem’ is their current price, which makes them the most expensive set in this round-up.

The average retail price of the Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3 set is 450$.

 

Crucial Ballistix : The Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400 kit provided great performance and good overclocking capabilities. Since it most certainly carries Micron chips, we expected no less. Unfortunately the modules were not fully stable with 3-3-3-9 timings at 800MHz and 2.1V, so we had to go with 3-3-4-10 timings. However after burning in the modules, we found out that they reacted to voltage even better and could raise their frequency slightly higher on the Intel system. They should be of high interest to overclockers who plan on feeding them high voltages.

Crucial sells the 2GB 800MHz Ballistix kit directly for 352.99$.

G.Skill PC2-6400 2GBHZ : G.Skill continues to amaze us with their RAM modules. The PC2-6400 2GBHZ set proved to be fast and it also overclocked to a very high level. It could even withstand the 3-3-3-9 timings with ease. After some burning in and 2.4V worth of voltage, we found out that it could even work at 1000MHz with these timings. The price of the set also makes them very appealing.

What do these awards mean?

The average retail price of the G.Skill PC2-6400 2GBHZ set is 250$.

 

Mushkin XP2-6400 2GB kit : The performance of the XP2-6400 2GB set from Mushkin can be described with a single word, ‘amazing’. We could consider the fact that it performed slightly better than the competition in most tests a ‘margin error’ or even a ‘coincidence’, but it is by no way coincidence that it was the only set which worked with 4-4-4-12 timings at 1066MHz right out of the box. Funnily, the set would error if set at 3-3-3-9 timings on our MSI K9N motherboard, but worked just fine on the Asus P5WD2-E with the same timings. The Mushkin modules also reacted to voltage pretty well, as we had little gains for even +0.1V we added up to 2.4V. We can only being to imagine what a seasoned overclocker could do after a proper burn-in with this set of RAM.

What do these awards mean?

Mushkin sells the 2GB XP2-6400 kit directly for 300.56$.

 

OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum Rev2 2GB kit : The PC2-6400 Platinum rev2 set is everything someone would expect from OCZ. They perform very well, look spectacular, can withstand very tight timings and they are great overclockers. What you won’t expect is the price tag of the set, which makes it a steal.

What do these awards mean?

The average retail price of the OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum Rev2 2GB set is 225$.

 

PQI PQI26400-1GBSB 2x1GB : The 1GB 800MHz modules from PQI offer good value and performance overall. Although they couldn’t excel in any of our tests, they didn’t lag much behind either. Their overclocking performance left us wanting for more, but by no means can we call it unacceptable. Being the cheapest 2GB set in this round-up, this set should appeal to people who just want a very good set of RAM and do not plan to overclock, or plan to do only mild overclocking.

The average retail price of a PQI26400-1GBSB 1GB module is 90$ each.

Taking the above into consideration, we present the Mushkin XP2-6400 2GB kit with our Heavenly Hardware Gold Award. The modules offer excellent performance, incredible overclocking abilities and a great price tag. There is nothing to stop them from grabbing the crown from any other contender in this round-up.

Also we would like to present the G.Skill PC2-6400 2GBHZ and OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum Rev2 2GB kit with our Editor’s Choice award. Both of these sets are great overclockers and offer excellent performance with a very appealing price tag. The budget minded overclockers will certainly enjoy either of these sets. We know we did.