Now that the KT400 has been released, many of you will be tempted to purchase 400 MHZ memory. Although there is no official support for 400 MHZ memory from VIA, most likely since a JEDEC standard doesn't exist, the chipset will work with existing DDR400 modules.
Several companies have DDR400 solutions available, and the task of choosing of which memory you will use to power your system can be daunting. Corsair and XtremeDDR have both released these high speed modules to the public, and these companies, at least in my opinion, make very high quality products.
Today we will be looking at XtremeDDR's offering, "DDR400 True". I will be explaining what the "True" naming means shortly. XtremeDDR has only been around for a few months, starting back in March of 2002. We reviewed a PC2700 module of theirs and were quite impressed. If it weren't for the memory's inability to run properly in MSI mainboards, we would have given it a "Must Have" recommendation.
Rather then ship me the module directly, XtremeDDR told me to go to one of their authorized retailers and get the product I wanted to review from them. I called up Silver Bullet PC and asked them to ship me two sticks of the new memory. He obliged and the memory came in five days. Silver Bullet PC has been very supportive of Viperlair in the past, and we thank them again for their continued support. If you need anything, please call them and they will be happy to help you. Mention www.Viperlair.com when you make your purchase for special hidden discounts.
The reason XtremeDDR preferred I get the samples through a retailer is so that I let you know that these samples weren't "cherry-picked." It is common for product manufacturers to send "cherry-picked" product samples to review sites. What this leads to sometimes is a review site getting insane performance out of a product while the consumer gets much worse results. The product I am reviewing today is the same product you would get if you purchased it from any authorized retailer.
Let's take a close look at the features of XtremeDDR DDR400 True and the features it brings to the table.
Features
" Available in 512MB Double Sided Modules
" Available in 256MB Single Sided Modules
" Color Aluminum Heat Spreader
" Samsung C4 -5ns Chip
" Lifetime Warranty
" 3-6-3 2T Timings
" 400 (200) MHz True
" Unbuffered
" CL 2.5
When we reviewed XtremeDDR in July it came in an anti-static bag, and that was it. Now XtremeDDR comes in very professional packaging. The packaging is sealed with an XtremeDDR sticker that thanks you for purchasing the world's finest memory, etc. The memory looks great by itself too. XtremeDDR has custom heat spreaders now, and they look better than ever.
Like Corsair, XtremeDDR has the company name stamped on the module. This is to prevent counterfeiters from selling modules as XtremeDDR when they are really cheap knockoffs.
The reason XtremeDDR calls their PC3200 offering "DDR400 True" is because they want to let the consumer know that their memory uses true 400 MHZ Samsung C4 5ns chips and not overclocked 6ns parts, which a few manufacturers have been known to do. When you are dealing with memory, you want to make sure you are getting a module with chips from a reputable manufacturer. As far as I am concerned there are only three reputable manufacturers of memory chips. These manufacturers are Samsung, Toshiba and Micron.
While only a few companies make high quality memory chips, there are a lot of companies that have the ability to mount the chips on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). PCB quality is a very important factor when it comes to memory quality, as mounting even the best chips on a poorly constructed PCB will lead to instability and general memory problems. XtremeDDR DDR400 True is based on a high-quality 6-layer PCB that is manufactured in Taiwan, by Samsung. Cheaper modules will be based on 4-layer PCB, while high-quality modules will usually be based on 6-layer PCB. The layers of the PCB will help shield the module from noise.
Once the modules arrive from Taiwan they are each tested at XtremeDDR's facilities. The heat spreaders are mounted at the facility as well. As far as I am concerned heat spreaders are eye candy and nothing more.
The testing process involves 3DMark 2001SE loop tests as well as other benchmarks and stress tests. Every module passes the test before it is shipped out or it is discarded.
A lot of you have been burned by tech support one time or another in your life. I don't feel my review would be complete without testing tech support over E-mail at least once. For the E-mail I used a Hotmail account which uses the display name "Art Vandellay". The first person who E-mails me at , and tells me where the name Art Vandellay comes from will get a random prize.
Here is the letter, with header info edited out...
Sent Letter:
Hi!
I own an Abit KX7333-R and my board will not boot into Windows when I use XtremeDDR DDR400 True at standard CPU speed and 333 MHz memory speed... Any ideas or suggestions for booting? I am using two 256 MB modules.
Art
Reply Letter:
Art, I am testing this board and will get back to you shortly.
-Joe McPeek
XtremeDDR got back to me and had several suggestions, which I couldn't test because I didn't have an actual problem. It took them less then 24 hours to come up with valid suggestions. They suggested inhabiting DIMM slot 4 first and working towards one, which is a real solution when it comes to many Abit motherboards. I was very impressed with XtremeDDR tech support.
Overclocking
When it comes right down to it, overclocking is all that matters to a lot of people when it comes to memory. This is understandable, since the faster you can clock your memory, the more performance you can squeeze out of it, in theory. If you have to go to CAS Latency 2.5 to get an extra 10 MHZ out of your memory, it probably isn't worth it, as the increased MHZ isn't worth taking the timing penalty. XtremeDDR DDR400 True comes programmed with very modest SPD timings of CAS 2.5 and 2T command. The SPD hasn't been programmed with faster timings because, according to XtremeDDR, great stability and good performance are better then bad stability and great performance. The logic is there, but is it truly logic? Is it possible that the modules can't actually reach their intended speeds at faster timings? Let's find out.
Overclocking Test System
Abit KX733 Mainboard BIOS Rev. 1009
MSI KT3 Ultra - **Would not boot**
Unlocked AthlonMP 1800+
1x XtremeDDR DDR400 True
ThermalRight SK6 Heatsink with 60mm Delta Fan
Sandra 2002
Before I go on with the review, I would like to explain something. In previous testing XtremeDDR PC2700 modules would not work with the MSI KT3 Ultra. The same holds true for their DDR400 True modules, as the system locks up during the Windows XP boot screen when the modules are being used. XtremeDDR's explanation is that the memory uses an aggressive SPD, but I am not quite sure if that is the only culprit.
The memory booted up and worked fine in our Abit KX7333, so we will be using it for testing. In order to get the best possible overclocking results I used a 5:2:1 divider and kept the processor at or below 1500 MHZ via a multiplier at all times.
133 MHZ CAS 2 1T COMMAND-Sandra 150 Run Loop Test - PASS
As expected, the memory easily passed the 150 Run Sandra Memory Burn-in. After the burn-in the system was responsive and I was able to complete tasks such as opening windows and surfing the internet. The memory was running at 2.6 volts.
166 MHZ CAS 2 1T COMMAND-Sandra 150 Run Loop Test - PASS
We jumped from 133 MHZ to 166 because anything in between would have been a waste of time. The memory ran fine at the fastest timings available, with an "Ultra" setting. Previous incarnations of XtremeDDR have been able to run at 166 MHZ under the fastest available timings, and this was no exception. The system was responsive under these settings before and after the benchmark. The memory was running at 2.6 volts once again.
176 MHZ CAS 2 1T COMMAND-Sandra 150 Run Loop Test - PASS
Bumping the processor down to a 10x multiplier to keep it in line, we were able to run the memory just fine at 176 MHZ at the fastest available timings. The voltage was still at 2.6. Keep in mind the highest MHZ rating this board has ever yielded was 191 MHZ with Corsair XMS 300 memory, which is designed to run at 370 MHZ DDR.
193 MHZ CAS 2 1T COMMAND-Sandra 150 Run Loop Test - PASS
The system was stable at 193 MHZ, and was responsive to all commands. Our next overclocking attempt was successful as well.
205 MHZ CAS 2 1T COMMAND-Sandra 150 Run Loop Test - PASS
We finally reached the limitation with the memory running at 205. The system was stable at 205 MHZ, and was responsive to all commands. After 205 MHZ we hit a wall and could not continue. Limitations within the system were a definite culprit. The memory ran past its rated speed until the system prevented any further overclocking. Unfortunately, we can't see how far past its rating it will go.
Overclocking Conclusion
Unfortunately we could not reach past the 405 MHZ mark. We were, however, able to overclock more than ever before. I have no doubts that the memory could run at much higher than 405 MHZ given the proper circumstance, but the KT333 chipset has too many limitations to allow for that high of an overclock. Once we get a KT400 mainboard we will be amending the article.
Now that overclocking tests have concluded, let's just see how fast this ram is...
Performance
Abit KX733 Mainboard BIOS Rev. 1009
Radeon 8500 128 MB DDR
AthlonMP 1800+
1 x XtremeDDR DDR400 True
ThermalRight SK6 Heatsink with 60mm Delta Fan
Sandra 2002
Quake 3
We will include our benchmarking results from before and during overclocking.
Test 1: SiSoft Sandra 2002
Each test was started immediately following a reboot. Windows themes were disabled, as were other background tasks.
333 MHz Cas 2 1T command
The XtremeDDR trailed the Corsair by a fairly slim margin in the Ram Int. Buffered, but trailed nonetheless under this specific test. Once again the Corsair leads the XtremeDDR by an unremarkable amount in the Ram Float. Buffered..
400 MHz Cas 2 2T command
Now we find out what this memory is really made of. As before the benchmarks were done individually after a reboot with all background services turned off.
Once again we have the XtremeDDR trailing the Corsair by a thin margin in the Ram Int. Buffered. XtremeDDR just can't seem to pull ahead. Throughout our Sandra testing the XtremeDDR failed to pull ahead of the Corsair, although it kept up just fine. Next let's see how the two compare under Quake 3.
Quake 3 Timedemo 1 1024x768
There is hardly any difference between both modules at 333 MHZ. At 400MHz, the increase in memory speed barely made any difference in the scores, only allowing for a 10 FPS gain on either stick. The Corsair is still ahead of the XtremeDDR in the tests, however.
Final Words
I find it extremely hard to come to a conclusion, no pun intended, for this product. On one hand it worked great in the Abit KX7333, allowing for excellent overclocking and perfectly stable operation.
On the other hand, it still had problems with the MSI KT3 Ultra and Asus A7V333, refusing to boot in either board. XtremeDDR hasn't approved the KT3 Ultra for use with their memory, so if you go by their approved mainboard list you shouldn't have any problems. The company has shown signs of maturing as their tech support was great, and their packaging was above average.
While the memory failed to beat the Corsair in any tests, it did manage to keep up throughout testing. You can forgive the fact that the Corsair performs better when you factor in that the XtremeDDR is a bit cheaper. I can recommend this product for those of you that own XtremeDDR approved boards, but please check with XtremeDDR first in order to find out of your board is indeed approved.
PROS
Great Overclocking results with the KX7333
Custom heat spreader looks great
Uses real 5ns 400 MHZ rated Samsung C4 chips (TCC4 Modules)
Good packaging
Great tech support
Inexpensive when compared to other performance memory.
CONS
As all XtremeDDR products, DDR400 True will not work in MSI mainboards.
Bottom Line
Buy XtremeDDR if you own an Abit mainboard and want the best overclocking memory available. If you own an MSI or Asus board you would be much better off buying memory from Corsair. If you got any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.
