Corsair XMS2 DHX PC2-6400 4GB Kit
Test Setup
To ensure that all reviews on Overclock3D are fair, consistent and unbiased, a standard set of hardware and software is used whenever possible during the comparative testing of two or more products. The configuration used in this review can be seen below:
Processor
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 “G0” 2.4GHz 2x 4MB
Motherboard
• Asus Rampage Formula X48 DDR2
Cooling
• OCZ Vendetta 2 + Stock Fan
Memory
• Corsair XMS2 DHX PC2-6400 4GB Kit (4-4-4-12)
• Corsair XMS2 DHX PC2-6400 4GB Kit (4-4-4-12)
• OCZ Platinum 4GB Kit (5-4-4-15)
Graphics Card
• Sapphire Ultimate X1950 Pro 256mb PCI-E
Hard Disk
• Hitachi Deskstar 80GB 7K80 SATA2 7200RPM 8mb
Operating System
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (Latest Updates)
To allow for a broad range of reliable results, the following benchmarking tests were used:
Synthetic Memory Subsystem
• Sisoft Sandra XII 2008c
• Lavalys Everest 4.0
• Sisoft Sandra XII 2008c
• Lavalys Everest 4.0
File Compression & Encoding
• 7-Zip File Compression
• River Past ViMark
3D / Rendering Benchmarks
• Cinebench 10
• 3DMark05
• 3DMark06
3D Games
• Quake 4
• Bioshock
• F.E.A.R
Settings & Overclocking
As with all memory reviews on Overclock3D the XMS2 DHX modules were subjected to a series of benchmark tests under several different configurations. The configurations used tested the memory’s ability to run at high frequencies with stock timings, high frequencies with loosened timings and also ensured that that the modules could run with 100% stability at their advertised speed, latency and voltage settings.
Highest Frequencies & Stock Timings
DDR2 883 / 4-4-4-12 / 2.3v
With the timings kept at the fairly low stock settings of 4-4-4-12 and the voltage upped to 2.3v, the XMS2 DHX kit managed to achieve a healthy overclock of 42 Mhz (DDR2 83) which took the overall bus speed to DDR2-883
Highest Frequencies & Relaxed Timings
DDR2 1149 / 5-5-5-12 / 2.3v
With the timings loosened a little to 5-5-5-12 and the voltage kept at 2.3v, the XMS2 DHX managed an impressive overclock of 174 Mhz (DDR2 349), bringing the kit to a fantastic DDR2 speed of 1149. All the results taken were tested for absolute stability with OCCT stress testing.
Maximum Overclock
For the purpose of comparison, the XMS2 DHX kits results in all the testing carried out, will be displayed alongside those of the similar OCZ Platinum Kit. Both 4GB kits cost around the same price and carry the same native speed ratings.
The first comparison we can draw is between the two overclocks obtained with these kits:
