Geil PC3200 Ultra X

Geil PC3200 Ultra X reached the highest memory speeds that we have reached with a new DDR400 2-2-2 memory in Geil PC3200 Ultra X: High Speed & Record Bandwidth. After reaching DDR561 on the Intel platform, we were very interested in finding where the Ultra X could go on the A64 Socket 939.

Geil produces an extensive line of memory from value-priced memory to some of the fastest enthusiast memory that you can find the market. Geil produces both standard and enthusiast DDR, DDR2, and so-DIMMs.

Ultra X is a new line for Geil, basically a high-performance extension to the Ultra series of DDR. The current Ultra line extends from Ultra PC3200 all the way to an Ultra Platinum DDR550. The Ultra X 3200 modules are available in individual 256MB and 512MB DIMMs, as well as in matched pairs as a 512MB kit (2x256) and 1GB kit (2x512). Test DIMMs were a pair of Geil PC3200 Ultra X in a 1GB kit (2x512MB modules).



The Ultra X DIMMs use platinum-colored heat-spreaders that have a copper core for heat dissipation.



As seen in the 2-2-2 roundup, most DDR400 2-2-2 memory uses Samsung TCCD memory chips. Since our earlier review of the Geil Ultra X, we have determined that Geil uses Samsung TCCD memory chips in the Ultra X memory. The blanks are labeled as Geil chips with a speed rating of 3.5ns. Geil describes the chips as hand-selected for performance from 5ns chips.

Geil PC3200 Ultra X Specifications


 Geil PC3200 Ultra X Memory Specifications
Number of DIMMs & Banks 2 DS
DIMM Size
Total Memory
512 Mb
1 GB
Rated Timings 2-2-2-5 at DDR400
SPD (Auto) Timings 2.5-2-2-5
Rated Voltage 2.55V - 2.95V

Crucial Ballistix PC3200 G. Skill TCCD
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  • Wesley Fink - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    #22, #25 and others -

    The 465W power supply that was not up to the job had the following specifications:

    +3.3V - 38A
    +5V - 44A
    +12V - 20A
    -5V - 2A
    -12V - 1A
    +5Vsb - 2.2A

    I would never have had any reason to suspect issues with this expensive major brand PS based on those specs, but in fact it turned out to be the limiting factor in overclocking the memory.

    This issue requires more investigation as there are many possible reasons for my experience, but I felt an obligation to let readers know what we found in our testing. However, it is not fair to name brands without much more evidence.
  • Blappo - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    Hopefully the value memory roundup will also contain some generic memory as well. Knowing which premium memory is the faster is good, but I want to know how much of a difference memory makes on system performance. I don't want to spend 50% more for only 5% more performance. That money could be better spent somewhere else.

    I'm glad that AnandTech did this article since everywhere else they only benchmark memory on Intel systems.
  • Blappo - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    PrinceXizor - I agree completely. However, with higher wattage PSU most of the extra power comes on the 12V rail. I think that is why nVidia is recommending "monster" PSU for their high-end graphics cards because it is easier to tell people to buy a 480W PSU rather than a PSU that can deliver 22A (or whatever) on the 12V rail.
  • Spearhawk - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    15: 20A? You're kiding right? My oven are at 20A.
  • decptt - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    My Ballistix performance
    =============================================
    "Dec" copyright since Duron600@1000
    =============================================
    Athlon64 Mobile 3200+ Rev.SH7-CG
    AMA3200BEX5AR-ClawHammer L2:1MB
    10x250 vid:1.5v+113%(~1.70v)
    Idle@36C Load(Prime95)@43C
    [10x255 worked @~1.97v Loaded(Prime95)@55C]

    Crucial Ballistix PC3200 512MBx2 vcore:2.70v
    Ratio = 1:1 ; TCl:2.5-Trcd:3-Tras:5-Trp:3 1T
    ATI AIW 9600XT 128MB BUS:75 vcore:1.6v
    DFI Lanparty UT NF3-250 Rev.A00 Bios.9/14(Beta)
    LDT/FSB@ 4X
    Thermalright XP-90 +Panaflo-H1B-92(FBA09A12H)
    Seagate ST3120026A
    DVD model DD0401
    TruePower480

    Scroll(Tested@2.50GHz on Sep 30, 2004)
    SiSoft2004.10.9.133
    CPU::ALU 11513 FPU 3954 iSSE2 5156
    Media:: Int 23895 Float 2562
    Ram:: Int 3780 MB/s Float 3779 MB/s
    3DMark03V3.4.0--1751 :(
    PCMark2004v1.2.0--3688
    Super PI 1M 35s
    Super PI 2M 1M23s
    =============================================
  • quanta - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    Speaking of robust 12V rails, Enermax seems to be the only one make power supplies that can provide more +12V juice than most enthusists ever need, even for models without splitting +12V lines.
  • AlphaFox - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    where did the power supply talk come from??
  • PrinceXizor - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    Just a further comment on the PSU "recommendation". I really think that the major tech sites are doing a disservice to the community when they keep recommending higher and higher total wattage PSU's. That is NOT the issue! As has already been pointed out, the key component is to analyze what voltage rail is is not providing enough juice. Just as clock speed is a poor indicator of processor performance, total wattage is a poor indicator of PSU performance. Considering that a major computer rig will rarely if EVER draw more than 250W of actual power, the key metrics for a PSU are the actual amperages on the various rails, particularly the robustness of the 12V rails. (Some newer PSU's are providing dual 12V rails for just this reason). So, does an enthusiast overclocking their rig need a 500 Watt "monster" or do they need a robust 12V line and tight voltage variance on those lines (as you drive stuff out of spec, the transients in those lines become more critical).

    I guess the point of my long-winded post is this...tossing off a "recommendation" like was done in this article (well-intentioned I'm sure) without addressing the actual issues involved seems to me to be habit that should be avoided.

    P-X
  • rjm55 - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    As you pointed out, you can't do the kind of tests you did here with an Intel rig with a locked multiplier. It was good to see all the different memory speeds at the same CPU speed, which proved once and for all that higher memory speeds DO improve performance - even with slower timings at higher speed. Makes my mouth water thinking about how good DDR550 at 2.5-2-2 would be.

    I realize the performance differences weren't huge with just the memory overclocked, but most people will overclock the CPU AND the RAM and that will make a huge combined difference in performance. Tweaking is about squeezing the most from your gear, and you CAN get more out of memory at higher speeds.
  • eetnoyer - Friday, October 1, 2004 - link

    Try newegg.com

    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?desc...

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