Testing:
For this review, a
2GB PC2-6400 kit from OCZ Technology with similar timings will be tested head-to-head with the 4GB PC2-5400 kit. Testing will consist of three benchmarks used to gauge the performance of four different memory configurations. The benchmarks executed include tests from these three packages:
» Everest Ultimate Edition 2006
» Sisoftware Sandra Lite 2008.1.12.34
» Performance Test v6.1
The four test configurations are listed below, and include the Vista Upgrade kit running at its stock speed and tightest (again stock) timings, the Vista Upgrade kit running at its maximum overclocked speed, the System Elite kit running at its stock speed and timings, and the System Elite kit running at its stock speed and tightest timings.
» OCZ Technology 4GB PC2-5400 Vista Upgrade DDR2 at 667MHz, 5-5-5-15
» OCZ Technology 4GB PC2-5400 Vista Upgrade DDR2 at 710MHz, 5-5-5-15
» OCZ Technology 2GB PC2-6400 System Elite DDR2 at 800MHz, 4-4-4-13
» OCZ Technology 2GB PC2-6400 System Elite DDR2 at 800MHz, 5-5-5-15
Everest Ultimate Edition 2006:
The memory benchmarks in Everest Ultimate Edition can provide four sets of results: memory read speed (in MB/s), memory write speed (in MB/s), memory copy speed (in MB/s), and memory latency (in ns). Higher values are better for memory read, write, and copy speeds, while lower values are desirable for latency. The results show that in general, a smaller kit with higher speeds is going to provide better results. But, taking a look at the "Write" values shows that despite operating 100MHz slower, the 4GB Vista Upgrade kit is capable of a better score.
Sisoftware Sandra Lite 2008.1.12.34:
The memory benchmarks in SiSoftware's Sandra were used to analyze three more sets of results: integer (in MB/s), float (in MB/s), and latency (in ns). Higher values are better for integer and float, while lower values are better for latency. Here we see that the faster, smaller capacity kit is rated better across the board, but in my opinion the difference isn't all that great, especially with the slight overclock on the 4GB kit.
