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cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td class="section w99"> <div class="moduletable"> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <div class="padding"> <h2 align="center"> <?php include '../banner.php' ?> </h2> <h2 align="center">OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit</h2> <p align="left"><strong>Performance:</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUz227.gif"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUzth.gif" width="299" height="350" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="left"> OCZ's EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX dual channel modules will be tested on an MSI 865PE Neo2-P motherboard equipped with an Intel Pentium 4 2.4cGHz CPU. The CPU is capable of running stable at 3.3GHz (275MHz FSB) so it will more than likely not limit the overclockability of the memory modules.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUz217.gif"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUz217th.gif" width="299" height="350" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>I was of course able to successfully run the EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX modules at both 200MHz and 217MHz with 2-2-2-5 timing and a DDR voltage of 2.8V. Beyond 217MHz, I had to raise the voltage to maintain stability. The motherboard's maximum DDR voltage setting was 3.0V (0.1 less than what OCZ's EVP covers). At 3.0V, I was able to go up to 227MHz (DDR466) while still maintaining stability. To try to increase its speed further, I set the memory timings to their SPD setting which at these speeds was 2.5-4-4-8. With the looser timings, I was only able to raise the memory speeds up to 230MHz. Oddly enough, when I tried to use any looser timing the system would not boot.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUz227.gif"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/CPUz227th.gif" width="299" height="350" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>To test the EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX modules' performance, I will be using Sandra's Memory Bandwidth benchmark, Everest's (formerly AIDA32) memory benchmarks, and PCMark04 (both system and memory benchmarks).</p> <p>The EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX modules are tested at 200MHz (2-2-2-5, 2.8V), 217MHz (2-2-2-5, 2.8V), 227MHz (2-2-2-5, 3.0V), and 230MHz (2.5-4-4-8, 3.0V). In addition, I have also included the test numbers of a pair of OCZ Value Series PC-3200 DDR modules at 200MHz (2.5-4-4-8, 2.6V) to give you an idea of the performance gain you would get with EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX's over lower priced budget memory.</p> <p>The following are the results of the benchmarks:</p> <p align="center"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/sandra.gif" width="460" height="240" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></p> <p align="center"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/everest.gif" width="460" height="240" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></p> <p align="center"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/everest2.gif" width="456" height="214" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></p> <p align="center"><img src="atruereview/ocz_memory/pcmark.gif" width="456" height="241" border="0" alt="OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX Dual Channel Memory Kit"></p> <p align="left">As the results of the benchmarks show, the performance of the OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX dual channel modules are simply amazing. At 200MHz, its enhanced latency timing makes its presence felt, outpacing the Value memory of equal speed. Raising the speed up to its rated 217MHz brought a substantial improvement in performance for all benchmarks. Raising the speed up 10MHz more (with the help of more voltage) showed another jump in performance across the board. Loosening the timing to get three extra megahertz of speed; however, did more bad than good for performance. Despite gaining a slight boost in speed, test scores took a big hit in performance with the looser timing. In the Everest benchmarks, 230MHz with 2.5-4-4-8 timing overall performed worst than 217MHz with 2-2-2-5 timing. Only the PCMark04 system benchmark showed a higher (barely) score with the memory set to 230MHz than the other settings. This is due to the fact the CPU is running at a faster 2760MHz, compared to 227MHz's CPU speed of 2724MHz.</p> <p>It is quite amazing that the EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX is able to run at 227MHz (or more, if the motherboard can supply more DDR voltages) while still being able to maintain its enhanced latency timing and lifetime warranty. If your CPU is up for the challenge, that is quite a bit of an overclock.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p> OCZ's EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX dual channel modules are simply spectacular. Out of the box, they are guaranteed to work at 217MHz with an enhanced latency timing of 2-2-2-5. In my experience, with a simple raise in voltage I was able to maintain the aggressive timing while raising the speed up to a pleasant 227MHz. Thanks to OCZ's EVP, I can overclock in confidence knowing I am still covered with a lifetime warranty.</p> <p>For all that they can do, the OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX modules are definitely worth the minor price premium over cheap value memory. Gamers or otherwise, if you are looking to boost the performance of your current system or are building a new system from scratch (if that system uses DDR memory), I highly recommend the OCZ EL DDR PC-3500 Gold GX.</p> <p><strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li> "Stock" speed of 217MHz with 2-2-2-5 timing</li> <li> Can run at higher speeds without loosening the timing or voiding warranty</li> <li> Great looking gold colored heatspreaders</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Mirror coating on heatspreaders attract fingerprints</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ratings:</strong></p> <table width="199" border="0"> <tr> <td width="80">Esthetics:</td> <td width="109">Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Performance:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Packaging:</td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Price: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Overall:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> </table> <p> <a href="atruereview/ocz_memory/RAM.php"></a> <a href="ocz_memory/RAM.php">Previous (Description & Installation)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer">  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </body> </html>