High Speed DDR2: Buffalo and Crucial Deliver 1000+

Final Words

When OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC was reviewed in early April the significance of the new Micron D memory chips was apparent. Here was the fastest DDR2 memory ever tested at AnandTech, and it also scaled easily to the new DDR2-800 speed to be supported by AM2 and Conroe, on to the DDR2-1067 future speed, and beyond to DDR2-1100. It reached those levels at the fastest memory timings we had seen with DDR2. This DDR2 memory was clearly the new DDR2 standard and we awarded the OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC our Gold Editors Choice.

Of course this was before the launch of AM2 on the 23rd of May and the launch of the Core 2 Duo which is expected soon. AM2 was not really much of a performance boost, but Core 2 Duo is shaping up as one of the largest performance increases we have seen with a new processor in many years. Today, with AM2 and Conroe both using DDR2, everyone is interested in fast, low-latency DDR2. Memory based on the latest Micron D-die chips will meet the bill.

Buffalo FireStix PC2-8000C5 and Crucial Ballistix PC2-8000 are two new DDR2 memories based on Micron chips that are also rated at DDR2-1000. Performance of both is similar to OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC. All three scale to around DDR2-1100 and provide excellent performance across the DDR2-667 to DDR2-1067 speeds that will appeal to new Core 2 Duo buyers. Neither one is quite as fast as OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC but they are very close. Required timings for stable performance are generally the same to slightly slower than the OCZ.

If you want the top performer we have tested it is still the OCZ EL PC2-8000 XTC, but the Buffalo and Crucial are so close in performance that you can select among the 3 based on price. We also have two more Micron-based memories in for testing - both rated at DDR2-1066. In the near future we will see if the new Corsair PC2-8500 or Kingston HyperX PC2-8500 can challenge OCZ for the DDR2 memory throne. One thing is certain: with 5 top-performing memories that can easily reach DDR2-1067 you will have some real choices for memory in the Conroe/AM2 market.

We were able to test DDR2 memory using the DDR2-533, DDR2-667, DDR2-711, DDR2-800, DDR2-889, or DDR2-1067 memory straps available on the Asus P5W-DH motherboard. Since the Presler 955 Extreme Edition processor utilizes a 1066 MHz bus speed it allows us to use the 1:1 memory to FSB clock ratio when the front side bus speed is set to 266 MHz. Keep in mind that the Intel FSB is quad-pumped, which is why a setting of 266 yields a FSB of 1066 (4x266). DDR2 Memory on the Intel platform, however, is by definition Double Data Rate, so a 266 base setting is 533 (2x266).

To put current DDR2 performance into perspective, we were working with expensive DDR2-400 and DDR2-533 rated at 5-5-5-15 just 2 years ago. Today, using those same timings, we can reach DDR2-1100. Prices are also much cheaper for comparable speed grades. As we said in the introduction DDR2 has certainly been advancing despite the fact enthusiasts have largely ignored DDR2 memory. Enthusiasts are fortunate, however, that Intel and memory makers have not ignored DDR2 in the interim. Now that the top enthusiast platforms from both Intel and AMD will benefit from fast, low-latency DDR2 memory we have memories like these DDR2-1000 to DDR2-1066 rated 2GB kits to fuel our new Core 2 Duo and AM2 platforms.

Of the three DDR2 -1000 memories tested, it is clear that OCZ does provide value in their binning, PCB development and SPD programming. The OCZ remains top performer. Buffalo also did an excellent job, with their FireStix only slightly slower than OCZ. Crucial should have had the advantage in this round. As the retail arm of Micron, Crucial likely has preferred access to the excellent Micron DDR2 chips. However, while performance of the Crucial is very close to the other two, particularly in the DDR2-667 to DDR2-1000 range, Crucial Ballistix will likely benefit from more aggressive speed-binning or a bit more tweaking in the SPD.

Compared to any other DDR2 we have tested, however, these three DDR2-1000 memories (or the Corsair or Kingston DDR2-1066) are clearly at the top of the DDR2 market. Combining any of these excellent DDR2 performers with a new Conroe or AM2 would be a great purchase decision for enthusiasts, overclockers, and anyone else interested in realizing the full performance potential of their system.