OCZ DDR PC3500 Dual Channel EL Kit
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Since our samples came from , these are retail samples, with everything neatly packed in a sturdy cardboard box. The ram modules themselves are individually packaged, with instructions, and arrived in tip-top shape. Here's OCZ's product description…
OCZ Enhanced Latency PC-3500 Dual Channel optimized kits memory using state of the art ULN technology are capable of achieving outrageous speeds of up to 434 MHz at CL2*. In addition we have optimized the design to take advantage of the increased bandwidth of Dual Channel DDR platforms. Each module is hand tested and matched across a variety of motherboards to insure flawless performance on any motherboard.
I mentioned earlier how hand picked modules make for flawed reviews, since manufacturers may send cooked modules to reviewers so that the performance shows the ram in the best possible light. Although we received retail samples, the memory kit themselves consist of hand picked parts. Basically, by selecting two PC3500 modules that have been tested together as a matched pair, the consumer is spared the task of matching up ram that they buy individually. Before you think "what's the big deal", realize that it isn't as easy as one may think to get two sticks of ram to play nicely together.
One of the things that took me a bit by surprise was the weight. With copper ramsinks, these memory kits are going to piss off the local mail person, but they are going to look swank in your case, so their suffering is your gain. Here's a bit of what OCZ have to say…
Our copper heat spreaders maximize cooling and extend your rams life while increasing performance.
I am going to admit that these are high quality spreaders, but in my opnion, the jury is still out on these things as being effective enough to improve your overclocking adventures with ram. I'm not knocking OCZ's decision to add copper spreaders, as it will cool the memory chips down a little, but past experiences here at VL have shown that spreaders don't really do much for overclocking. That being said, they are included with the ram, so it's not like you have to go out and buy your own.
The ramsinks are attached to the memory modules via a heatspreaders and frag tape. Whereas the Corsair TwinX reviewed this week had one long strip of frag tape running across the DIMM module, OCZ placed one individual piece of tape on each ram chip. The heatspreaders is a raised surface on the ramsink, and serves to create a more secure application of the ramsink.
There aren't any obvious indications what the memory timings are on the label. The only information you do readily get is the rated speed (433MHz), and the module size. After installation, it seems that the default SPD settings are 433MHz, 2-3-3-7. This isn't bad, but it wasn't as aggressive as the Corsair TWINX we looked at earlier this week. Needless to say, we'll be giving this a close look when we get into the overclocking.
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OCZ DDR PC3500 Dual Channel EL Kit: With the nForce2 and the GNB being the boards to beat, we take a look at another dual channel kit to help you get the most out of your motherboard.
