OCZ PC6400 SLI certified

Our second contestant today comes from the SLI certified line-up. This lineup was introduced some time ago, again in response to the EPP and SLI certified modules that were introduced by Corsair. OCZ could not stay behind and followed closely with Crossfire and SLI certified memory kits, which are actually memory kits with reprogrammed SPD-settings in order to be certified compatible with the Crossfire (equipped with an ATI chipset) or SLI (equipped with an nVidia chipset) motherboards.



Have a look at the modules' package:



The OCZ "SLI" modules are not equipped with a higher heat spreader, so they still fit in the standard OCZ package that we've known for the past years. The modules are still packed in the upright position in this case, resulting in a more compact blister. Also included in the blister is a card with a short but very clear manual, something I've always appreciated in any product.


Back of the package, Manual


Specifications

Again a picture of the sticker applied on the modules, which is showing the main memory timings.




These are the complete specifications:

800MHz DDR2 (PC6400)

Latencies : 4-4-4-15-1T (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS-CR)

Operating voltage : 2.1 Volts

Overvoltage protection (EVP) : 2.3 Volts

nVidia EPP certified

240pin DIMM

Parity : Unbuffered

OCZ Lifetime Warranty

Memory size : 2x 1024Mb

The above specifications again look like nothing special, but please note the final specification: 1T. The 1T stands for the command rate of the memory, which typically for DDR2 is set at 2 cycles, or 2T. Until recently, that was all that Intel chipsets could handle as well, but the nVidia chipsets (and more noticeably the AMD side of things) have been able to handle command rates of 1T for quite a while. Why take a command rate of 1T ? Because it's faster of course, so Intel decided to include the setting on the P35/X38 chipset as well, hence we'll be able to test it.

Again OCZ only warrants the above specifications, with the command rate of 1T, on motherboards equipped with nVidia's 680i chipset, but this time our memory would run with the specified timings on our test platform without any problem. I got a chance to test them briefly on the 680i as well, before it broke down, and the rated timing did not form any problem as well.


A closer look

Have a look at "his blackness" once uncovered:



The "SLI" series have their own specific look, with the SLI logo shining in the middle of the modules, and the honeycomb grill painted in a shiny black this time. That's right, these modules are still equipped with OCZ's trademarked honeycomb heat spreader, which is not a bad thing since it still looks and feels great, and above all because it's more than adequate to cool Elpida-based modules down.

This is what it stands for :

XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heat spreaders optimize the thermal management of memory modules by promoting greater airflow by means of micro-convection throughout what is usually the dead air space inside conventional heat spreader designs. In this manner, build-up of heat is avoided and thermal dissipation of the memory components is offloaded more efficiently through the honeycomb design. At the same time, mechanical stability is maintained.

Module detail, top of the modules

They might not have the "extreme" bling that the Reaper or Flex series offer, but all in all, the modules look very good in black, and one should not be afraid to show these ones off in a windowed case as well. And for people that just like the basic look, or who own a small form factor case or a very wide CPU cooler, these modules might just be what they're looking for.

Onto our final contestant now...>