It's great
to see how individual memory stacks up against the competition under stock
configurations, but we're also going to show how it compares when overclocked.
With performance in mind, we're going to compare the maximum overclocked results
of the various DDR-2 memory modules PCSTATS has tested in the past which are
listed below. Remember, just because memory is clocked fast doesn't mean it's
the best thing for a computer. Timings are also important, and getting the right
ratio of both is the real key to performance based overclocking!
* - denotes tested on ECS PN2
SLI2+ platform
I would say the Patriot PDC22G9200ELK memory kicks some
major butt here. Besides the Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF memory, no
other DIMM can perform as well when it came to overclocking. In case you're not
familiar with Patriot, it's the real deal and its DDR2 memory have been
overclocking well for PCSTATS for quite some time. The Corsair DOMINATOR
Twin2X2048-8888C4DF overclocking results have been updated to show how it
performs on the same platform as the Patriot PDC22G9200ELK memory.
Patriot - as fast as they
come?
The memory performance sweet spot for gamers has moved
from 1GB to 2GB of system memory. For most titles you can still get by with 1GB,
but expect your system to get bogged down when playing the latest titles like
Supreme Commander or Command and Conquer 3. If you're not gaming but want to
move to Microsoft Windows Vista, it's recommended that your system has 2GB of
memory.
Patriot Memory has made quite a name for itself in the
DDR2 market, its memory may not be the fanciest but damn does it go fast. To
make things even sweeter, it prices its memory modules very aggressively and the
PDC22G9200ELK is a prime example of the best of both worlds.
Rated to run at DDR2-1150 (PC2-9200) with 5-5-5-12 memory
timings the Patriot PDC22G9200ELK has a retail price of just $319 CDN ($300 USD, £151 GBP)! Again don't be fooled by
the price, this is some quality RAM. The memory does not support nVIDIA EPP, so
if you're a newbie overclocking may be a bit more difficult - that's where
PCSTATS' CPU and Memory Overclocking guide comes
in. ;-)
In terms of performance the Patriot PDC22G9200ELK memory handled itself pretty well,
and at stock DDR2-800 speeds it came in on par with most other DDR2 memory
modules. It was overclocking that allowed the Patriot PDC22G9200ELK memory to
really shine though. With relatively tight 4-4-4-12 CAS Latency timings the
memory was able to hit 1170 MHz with 2.3V! Loosening the timings up brought for
a blisteringly fast 1260 MHz from the PDE22G9200ELK modules! Besides the Corsair
DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF kit, no other memory module PCSTATS has tested has
performed so well!
If you're upgrading, building a new PC or just want more
memory, definitely check out the Patriot
PDC22G9200ELK 2GB PC2-9200 DDR2 memory kit. It's smoking fast, it's much cheaper
than the competition, and well.... 'nuff said!
Find out about this and many other reviews by joining the
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- SyncMAX Express PC2-6400 DDR2 800 Memory
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