Corsair and OCZ: New Standards in Fast DDR2
by Wesley Fink on August 4, 2006 5:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Memory
Final Words
When OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC was reviewed in early April the significance of the new Micron D memory chips was apparent. Here was the fastest DDR2 memory ever tested at AnandTech, and it also scaled easily to the new DDR2-800 speed to be supported by AM2 and Conroe, on to the DDR2-1067 future speed, and beyond to DDR2-1100. It reached those levels at the fastest memory timings we had seen with DDR2. This DDR2 memory was clearly the new DDR2 standard and we awarded the OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC our Gold Editors Choice.
Of course this was before the launch of AM2 on the 23rd of May and the launch of the Core 2 Duo on July 27th. AM2 was not really much of a performance boost, but Core 2 Duo turned out to be one of the largest performance increases we have seen with a new processor in many years. Today, with AM2 and Conroe both using DDR2, everyone is interested in fast, low-latency DDR2. Memory based on the latest Micron D-die chips will meet the bill.
When we looked at High-Performance DDR2 in the Conroe Buying Guide, it was clear that the performance we first saw with the OCZ EL PC2-8000 is now available from a wider group of memory manufacturers. OCZ, Corsair, and Mushkin stood out at the top of the group of six, but frankly any of the six could deliver the kind of performance that could make a difference in a top Core 2 or AM2 system. That included the 2GB kits from Buffalo, Kingston, and Crucial.
Fast forward just a couple of weeks to today and we are seeing even further development in high-performance DDR2 memory. The Corsair 6400C3 and the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000 VX2 both use special binning of these Micron memory chips to push performance up another level. The advantage for the new Corsair and OCZ is not huge, but it is definitely real. Now the best DDR2 memory is capable of DDR2-1067 at 4-3-4-11 timings, and 3-2-2 - the fastest timings you can currently choose in DDR2 - is available at DDR2-400 and DDR2-533, with a close 3-2-3 at DDR2-667. In addition, the new Corsair and OCZ reached some of the highest stable overclocks we have seen so far with DDR2 at DDR2-1112. Our Mushkin XP2-8000 Redline reached DDR2-1116 but ran at slightly slower memory timings in some of the other speed ranges.
It is fair to ask which is better, the Corsair 6400C3 or the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000? The answer depends on what you are looking for. Performance on both of these top memories is all but identical, and it is equally outstanding. We have to look elsewhere for differences. We find that difference in voltage requirements. The Corsair 6400C3 requires less voltage at almost every speed to reach the same performance level. In fact the Corsair generally requires less voltage at each speed than any of our previously tested High-performance DDR2. Some will see this as a great advantage for Corsair 6400C3 and we would agree.
The other side of the coin is the fact that OCZ binned their VX2 memory for higher voltages, and the fact that a bit more voltage is required at each speed should not be a surprise. Offsetting this is the reassurance from OCZ than you can run their VX2 memory up to 2.525V without affecting your Lifetime Warranty. We could find no case in our testing where higher voltage on VX2 gave us more performance than the Corsair, but we were testing with air cooling and an extra fan. Those who can cool their memory with more effective solutions may find they can squeeze a bit more performance from the OCZ VX2.
It is remarkable to us that Corsair and OCZ took such different approaches when using the same Micron memory chips and yet ended up with such similar performance. The Corsair CM2X1024 6400C3 and the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000 VX2 are currently at the top of the DDR2 performance pyramid. Either can provide results that is the best available in DDR2. Beyond that you will need to compare price and how you will use the memory to reach a decision between the two. Neither of these stellar performers is a good choice in an average system as they are both far too expensive to deliver good value. However, if you demand the best, either of these top-performing memories will deliver the goods.
When OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC was reviewed in early April the significance of the new Micron D memory chips was apparent. Here was the fastest DDR2 memory ever tested at AnandTech, and it also scaled easily to the new DDR2-800 speed to be supported by AM2 and Conroe, on to the DDR2-1067 future speed, and beyond to DDR2-1100. It reached those levels at the fastest memory timings we had seen with DDR2. This DDR2 memory was clearly the new DDR2 standard and we awarded the OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC our Gold Editors Choice.
Of course this was before the launch of AM2 on the 23rd of May and the launch of the Core 2 Duo on July 27th. AM2 was not really much of a performance boost, but Core 2 Duo turned out to be one of the largest performance increases we have seen with a new processor in many years. Today, with AM2 and Conroe both using DDR2, everyone is interested in fast, low-latency DDR2. Memory based on the latest Micron D-die chips will meet the bill.
When we looked at High-Performance DDR2 in the Conroe Buying Guide, it was clear that the performance we first saw with the OCZ EL PC2-8000 is now available from a wider group of memory manufacturers. OCZ, Corsair, and Mushkin stood out at the top of the group of six, but frankly any of the six could deliver the kind of performance that could make a difference in a top Core 2 or AM2 system. That included the 2GB kits from Buffalo, Kingston, and Crucial.
Fast forward just a couple of weeks to today and we are seeing even further development in high-performance DDR2 memory. The Corsair 6400C3 and the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000 VX2 both use special binning of these Micron memory chips to push performance up another level. The advantage for the new Corsair and OCZ is not huge, but it is definitely real. Now the best DDR2 memory is capable of DDR2-1067 at 4-3-4-11 timings, and 3-2-2 - the fastest timings you can currently choose in DDR2 - is available at DDR2-400 and DDR2-533, with a close 3-2-3 at DDR2-667. In addition, the new Corsair and OCZ reached some of the highest stable overclocks we have seen so far with DDR2 at DDR2-1112. Our Mushkin XP2-8000 Redline reached DDR2-1116 but ran at slightly slower memory timings in some of the other speed ranges.
It is fair to ask which is better, the Corsair 6400C3 or the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000? The answer depends on what you are looking for. Performance on both of these top memories is all but identical, and it is equally outstanding. We have to look elsewhere for differences. We find that difference in voltage requirements. The Corsair 6400C3 requires less voltage at almost every speed to reach the same performance level. In fact the Corsair generally requires less voltage at each speed than any of our previously tested High-performance DDR2. Some will see this as a great advantage for Corsair 6400C3 and we would agree.
The other side of the coin is the fact that OCZ binned their VX2 memory for higher voltages, and the fact that a bit more voltage is required at each speed should not be a surprise. Offsetting this is the reassurance from OCZ than you can run their VX2 memory up to 2.525V without affecting your Lifetime Warranty. We could find no case in our testing where higher voltage on VX2 gave us more performance than the Corsair, but we were testing with air cooling and an extra fan. Those who can cool their memory with more effective solutions may find they can squeeze a bit more performance from the OCZ VX2.
It is remarkable to us that Corsair and OCZ took such different approaches when using the same Micron memory chips and yet ended up with such similar performance. The Corsair CM2X1024 6400C3 and the OCZ Ti Alpha PC2-8000 VX2 are currently at the top of the DDR2 performance pyramid. Either can provide results that is the best available in DDR2. Beyond that you will need to compare price and how you will use the memory to reach a decision between the two. Neither of these stellar performers is a good choice in an average system as they are both far too expensive to deliver good value. However, if you demand the best, either of these top-performing memories will deliver the goods.
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Beaner - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
Just curious...The picture of the Corsair DIMMs show the bottom one as 512MB.
Was the wrong one used for the photo?
JarredWalton - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
The model name is correct at the top of the sticker, so I'm guessing it's a pre-release sample and the "512MB" is simply a typo. As Wes mentions, it doesn't appear that Corsair has an equivalent 2x512MB kit (yet?).CrappyLuckMan - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
I would still like to see how budget DDR2-800 performs too. For some reason you guys left them out of the feeding the monster article. Do you guys think it's better to just go with value PC5300/5400 and overlock it? However, I would think you could overlock value DDR2-800 to around 1000mhz. In honesty I'm posting this out of selfishness since I ordered Corsair XMS2 1GB kit (my games I run never hit 1GB PF usage) TWIN2X1024-5400C4 4-4-4-12 1.9V for $108 is great for relatively low latency low voltage highly compatible ram.Your articles with specifics such as voltage and latencies you use for stable overclocks really save us users some time and we thank you for that.
CrappyLuckMan - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
Oops made a bad com error. I should mention I meant to say it would be nice to compare which is better, lower latency lower voltage value pc5300/5400 or higher volt higher latency value pc6400 ram. Sorry tired from waiting on news for new motherboards last night lol.EarthsDM - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
Wesley,In the discussion of his article, “Conroe Buying Guide: Feeding the Monster” (July 19th, 2006) Gary Key replied to a question on G.Skill memory, saying “We still have additional memory selections from a variety of suppliers arriving for further memory reviews at this time.” Is this what he meant, or are you guys going to review the G.Skill? I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the reviews you do, but G.Skill is a memory that of a lot of us (system builders) are interested in because it seems to offer the best performance/price.
On a separate but related note, do you know when the next round of motherboard reviews will be posted? I’m sitting on some Core 2 Duos and I need systems to put them in for back-to-school. Thanks a bunch!
-EarthsDM
Wesley Fink - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
We have the latest G. Skill on the way. We will schedule a review when it arrives.EarthsDM - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
Thanks!yacoub - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
The enthusiast, by definition, is always looking for more - more speed, more power, more performance. The quest is for the best - performance so good and speeds so fast that no one can touch their results. You may even consider the enthusiast an elitist, but that is no different than the car enthusiast, a photography enthusiast, or any technology area where hobbyists can be found.Well that's your opinion and I'd disagree with it. Enthusiast does not always equal elitist (in fact it rarely does) nor a need to have the most expensive and latest item. One can be an enthusiast of cars without owning an exotic supercar. One can be a photography enthusiast without ever taking a picture, but simply appreciating the work of others.
I'm not picking a nit, but pointing out the fallacy that if you buy the most expensive and newest item you must be an ethusiast. On the contrary, (reviewers excluded) you're most likely just a sucker for marketing or poor monetary management.
Most computer enthusiasts for that matter are much more interested in building the best bang-for-the-buck system, not the most expensive one they can find, and generally not even using the latest parts. I would say the overclocker is the epitome of the computer enthusiast, as 'he' not only looks for the best performance but often elicits it 'him'self by taking budget parts and using 'his' knowledge and resources available, runs them at the speeds of much more expensive items, thus getting the best of both worlds - cost and performance.
Just a thought.
Wesley Fink - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
The most expensive is not always the best performance, as we have pointed out many times. The enthusiast seeks the best. The quest for best performance for "x" dollars is also seeking the best. So is overclocking a cheap part for best performnace.I suppose my point was that the enthusiast is not one to "settle" for mediocrity or buy a cookie-cutter system. Your points are well taken and I am in basic agreement.
yacoub - Friday, August 4, 2006 - link
Then they aren't elistists, as elistist brings to mind a rich person who just buys the latest and greatest because 'it is'. Overclockers are economical people to a fault. The two don't match up, hence the discrepancy. =)