With the recent release of the AM2 core processors which brought DDR-2 support to the AMD platform and the release of the much awaited Core 2 Duo (Conroe) processor from Intel, many enthusiasts and over clockers are budgeting for a memory upgrade.

Those with deeper pockets will buy the fastest memory they can get their hands on regardless of cost, while others will begin researching to make sure they get the best value for money within a specific budget. One thing is certain, companies which produce high end DDR-2 modules are sure to be seeing increased sales over the coming year. While PC2-8000 (1000MHz) modules recently hit the market, they are still extremely expensive and the common enthusiast simply cannot afford them. For today’s article we decided to go with a PC2-6400 (800MHz) RAM round-up, as these are affordable, usually feature good timings and are sure to make up the bulk of sales for users upgrading to a new platform. Seven of the greatest RAM manufacturers provided us with a set of their preferred PC2-6400 modules for the group analysis today.

Intel supplied Driver Heaven with several Core 2 Processors, unfortunately when I started this review I didn’t have one available, so we will have to settle with the next best thing, a well overclocked Pentium D920 processor. To give a more balanced article we didn’t want to neglect AMD users, so we set up a good value AM2 based system, powering a typical single core 3500+ processor. Both of these systems can utilize 800MHz RAM out of the box, but they have completely different needs .. the Pentium D based system benefits much more from higher bus speeds, while on the AM2 system the tighter timings provide the advantage. We shall see how all seven sets behave in these scenarios.

 

A-Data Vitesta DDR2-800 2X512MB

A-Data provided us with two of their DDR2-800 Vitesta modules. The Vitesta series is the high-end series of A-Data. They have a typical green PCB and bright red heatspreaders. Their appearance is certainly distinctive, A-Data has been using these red heatspreaders for their Vitesta series as long as we can recall.

The specifications of the A-Data kit are:

• 240-pin unbuffered DIMM
• Density 256MB/512MB
• Maximum 6.4GB/s bandwidth
• JEDEC standard 1.85 +/- 0.1V power supply
• 32M x 8 component configuration
• CAS Latency 5
• 4 Bank
• Off-chip driver (OCD) impedance adjustment, and on die termination (ODT)

A-Data sent us the only 2X512MB set of this round-up, rated for CAS 5 at 800MHz. There are no specific ratings for all of the timings, but the SPD is programmed for 5-5-5-15 timings at 800MHz. Also, the A-Data set is the only one which works with only 1.8V at 800MHz.

 

Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3 kit

Corsair sent us their best PC2-6400 2GB kit currently in production. Not only their best, but on paper the best PC2-6400 2GB kit currently available worldwide, capable of 3-4-3-9 timings at 800MHz and with EPP support. They are using a typical green PCB and black gloss heatspreaders.

The specifications of the Corsair kit are:

• Each module pair is tested together at 800MHz
• Tested and packaged in pairs - Packaged together immediately following system test
• Tested at EPP SPD settings (3-4-3-9) at 2.2V
• SPD programmed at: JEDEC standard 5-5-5-18 values at 800MHz
• EPP standard 3-4-3-9-2T, 2.2V values at 800MHz
• SPD includes Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP) which allow automatic overclocking to aggressive performance settings
• Implemented using 64M x 8 DDR2 SDRAMs
• 100% tested at 800MHz in high performance DDR2 motherboards
• Legendary Corsair reliability and service
• Lifetime warranty

Although the RAM has its SPD programmed at 5-5-5-18 timings (per JEDEC standard), when installed on motherboards which support EPP the timings will automatically change. Of course if you do not own a motherboard which supports EPP, you can always manually set these timings in the BIOS yourselves.

 

Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400 2GB kit (BL2KIT12864AA804)

Crucial could not have been left out of the round-up, as they are part of the company which manufactures the most famous chips among the overclockers’ circles, the Micron Fat Body. We received a 2GB Ballistix PC2-6400 kit (part number : BL2KIT12864AA804) which is capable of 4-4-4-12 timings at 800MHz with 2.2Vdimm. Not bad out of the box specifications, but they could be even better. The Crucial modules are the only ones featuring a black PCB and are cooled by golden heatspreaders.

The specifications of the Crucial kit are:

• Part Number: BL2KIT12864AA804
• Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
• Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR2 PC2-6400
• Configuration: 128Meg x 64
• DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
• Error Checking: NON-ECC
• Speed: DDR2-800
• Voltage: 2.2V
• Memory Timings: 4-4-4-12
• Specs: DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.2V • 128Meg x 64

Even though the voltage specifications of the Ballistix kits are quite high for DDR-2 RAM, Crucial still covers them with lifetime warranty. Also Crucial always has been conservative with their timings and specifications, so we will see if these modules can actually do any better with that kind of voltage.