Performance Summary

Using the UT2003 botmatch results as a guideline, we can see each memory kit perform well beyond specifications using both tight and relaxed timings. The fact that all these results could be had with VDDR within reach of most people makes it very interesting.



Conclusion

When the first overclocking tests were performed with relaxed timings on the P4 test platform a ceiling was hit quite rapidly. Where memory modules rated at PC3200 in the past usually stopped at 230-250Mhz no matter what timings were used, we see these new Samsung TCCD powered sticks push past this barrier with ease.

Picking up hardware with the intention for overclocking will always be a hit and miss; this guessing game can be reduced by making a more informed buying decision by reading through online reviews and visiting enthusiast’s forums. But even then you can end up with hardware which does not perform like you saw it done elsewhere. In this roundup we had 3x PC3200 kits giving different OC results, although they all shared the same memory chips. Optimized PCB design can influence performance but "that" much. Just being lucky still plays a large role.

If your system can handle it and you certainty about the memory’s performance, then you will be better of with higher rated modules from G.Skill, A-DATA and OCZ, these feature hand picked memory chips which are tested to work at rated speed and timings. If you want to take a chance and save a bit of money then you can’t go wrong with the lower rated sticks from Mushkin, OCZ and PDP.



Looking at prices found at PC-Memory-Upgrade you’ll notice 2 interesting facts.

2x512Mb A-DATA DDR600: €364
2x512Mb OCZ EL PC4400 Gold: €399
2x512Mb G.Skill PC3200/PC4400: ~€300 (average of prices at different resellers listed at G.SKill's website)

2x512Mb Mushkin PC3200 LVL2 Rev2: €328
(Mushking is offering a -10% of $283 if you order directly here and enter the code "HALF")

2x512Mb OCZ EL PC3200 Plat Rev2: €318
2x512Mb PDP PC3200 Patriot EB: €270

1) Price difference between higher rated and lower rated memory modules is not too big
2) The lesser known brands are selling their goods for a remarkably lower price

So it will come down to availably near your home, the local price and product support, Mushkin and OCZ are known brands to hardware enthusiast, the others are less known and have yet to prove themselves as they are joining the DDR battle fields with very competitive products. Time will tell if service and support is on par with their hardware’s performance.

In our upcoming roundup on the Athlon64 we’ll delve further into the Samsung TCCD memory chips world.

If you want great performance and you’re in the market for new memory then make sure you get the latest Samsung TCCD powered sticks from your favourite brand.

Madshrimps would like to thank Lee from Mushkin and Cindy from G.Skill for giving us the opportunity to evaluate their products.



Jakob from PC-Memory-Upgrade.co.uk who set us up with the OCZ, A-DATA and PDP modules let us know that he’s sponsoring and upcoming give-away. So make sure to check back to win one of these high performance kits!

Questions/Comments: forum thread

Updated forum thread with memory modules featuring Samsung TCCD "f" here

Highest Memory OC record table here , with TCCD F at 366Mhz CL3-6-6-15 !! (screenie)