Overclocking Performance (Highest Ratio at Highest Speed)
The G.Skill DDR2-800 performed extremely well to its rated speed DDR2-800. It also was able to reach beyond rated speed to the next standard speed of DDR2-1066. This is outstanding performance for a mid-priced memory rated at DDR2-800. Performance was as we might expect with Micron D9 memory chips, except the more relaxed binning of the D9GMH was apparent. More voltage and/or relaxed timings were required at DDR2-800 and above than we have seen in past reviews of Micron D9 based memory.
With a maximum available voltage of 2.4V, we had no head room at all above DDR2-1066. We do suspect, however, that this memory can likely go even further on boards that can supply higher voltages.
It is rare that a mid-range DDR2-800 memory can reach to DDR2-1067. However, our results are fairly typical of performance that has been measured with these DIMMs. We have seen reported results from around DDR2-1000 to DDR2-1100 as top overclock. Quite a few reported the same results we found in our testing, which is a top stable speed of DDR2-1067. Keep in mind that overclocking is never a guarantee, but the overclocking results we found with G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 were typical of performance found by others..
The G.Skill DDR2-800 performed extremely well to its rated speed DDR2-800. It also was able to reach beyond rated speed to the next standard speed of DDR2-1066. This is outstanding performance for a mid-priced memory rated at DDR2-800. Performance was as we might expect with Micron D9 memory chips, except the more relaxed binning of the D9GMH was apparent. More voltage and/or relaxed timings were required at DDR2-800 and above than we have seen in past reviews of Micron D9 based memory.
With a maximum available voltage of 2.4V, we had no head room at all above DDR2-1066. We do suspect, however, that this memory can likely go even further on boards that can supply higher voltages.
It is rare that a mid-range DDR2-800 memory can reach to DDR2-1067. However, our results are fairly typical of performance that has been measured with these DIMMs. We have seen reported results from around DDR2-1000 to DDR2-1100 as top overclock. Quite a few reported the same results we found in our testing, which is a top stable speed of DDR2-1067. Keep in mind that overclocking is never a guarantee, but the overclocking results we found with G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 were typical of performance found by others..
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MxChris - Sunday, November 5, 2006 - link
Thanks for the reply I'll try to get ahold of a G Skill rep and find out.Icepick - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
I'd like to know this too. I purchased from the same product line only my memory is rated at 5-5-5-15 -> F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ. I haven't been able to build my PC yet so I couldn't test them out. Are these micron chips too?Wesley Fink - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
The 5-5-5 is the low-end G. Skill DDR2-800, selling for around $200 now, and most likely does not use Micron chips. There is also a higher-end DDR2-800 than we tested in this review rated at 3-4-3-8 timings. The highest rated dimms are likely the Micron D9GKX chips, but since we haven't tested that particular memory we cannot say that with authority.Doormat - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
And it performs just fine a 4-4-4-10 at 800MHz. It matches nicely with my E6400 running a 400MHz (1.6GT) FSB at 3.2Ghz.JarredWalton - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
"The practical performance of GeIL GX22GB6400UDC memory modules wasn’t too impressive although we ran all tests at 2.1V Vdimm."If they never went above 2.1V on the RAM, that's going to hurt. I don't know about the RAM type, but I know some places will just guess at times, and sometimes manufacturers use multiple types of RAM. Given Wes hit DDR2-1066 I'd say it's pretty clear his RAM has Micron chips.
Madellga - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
Apples 2 Apples - all memories were tested at 2.1VMadellga - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/dd...">http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/dd...There is a gap between the 2 reviews. It mentions also that the chips are Elpida, not Micron.
Who has the "right" samples?
If G.Skill is selling both types under the hood, it is a delicate matter to recommend it.
PS: Xbitlabs recommended Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400?4 and Mushkin 996523 XP2-6400 DDR2 over it.
Xajel - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
we may all know the problem with DDR2-800 and AM2 platform, not every ram you can use, it's some how hard to find a compatible one especially from OCZ...I hope to find a compatibility test for AM2 and DDR2-800 from several manufactures...
amdrockshard - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
This memory looks like a good choice. Did you test it on a AM2 board? How high will it clock on the Foxconn 590SLI? It was nice to see something other than ddr2-1000 tested. Do you have results on the Crucial 10th anniversary ddr2-667 yet? Everyone in the forums is recommending that or the Team ddr2-800. Just wondering how they compare.yyrkoon - Friday, November 3, 2006 - link
From the sounds of it, they are simular, albiet pricier than my Cosair 6400 XMS sticks. This memory is SUPOSED to be 5-5-5-18, but the systems I've put them in detect them as 4-4-4-12 almost always. Also, I've had these sticks up to DDR 990, without being able to adjust the voltage in the BIOS (cheap Asrock Mobo, in my current system).Personaly, I think I'll stick to Crucial. Cosair, and let the rest pass, especialy since they cost just as much, or more than the two brands I preffer.