CSX Diablo3 PC3-16000 (DDR3 2000) 2GB kit

 

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:

 

Checking the CSX website, we were able to confirm the following regarding the specified settings required for the modules as follows :

• Intel X38: 1600MHz 7-7-7-14 1.85V (command rate: 2T)
• Intel X48: 1866MHz 8-8-8-15 1.90V (command rate: 2T)
• NVidia NF790i: 2000MHz 8-8-8-28 2.0-2.1V (command rate: 2T)

Strangely, there was no mention of the P35 or P45 chipsets, so one can only assume that X38 and X48 represents Intel’s 3- and 4-series chipsets respectively.

To guarantee a broad range of results, the following benchmark utilities will be used:

 

All 3D based benchmarks were performed using a resolution of 1024×768, low quality settings and no additional AA (Anti Aliasing). This reduces any affect that the graphics card may have on the results, either positive or negative, leaving the CPU and Memory subsystem to do most of the work.

 

 

 

As both the Crucial Ballistix and now the CSX Diablo both use the D9GTR IC’s, I would expect that both sets would overclock to similar levels. What is interesting is the amount of voltage CSX recommend pumping through the modules with our test board 790i. 2.1v is a crazy amount of voltage for DDR3, so I certainly hope these heatspreaders are up to the task as things are going to get rather toasty in this section of the review. If not, then it would appear that CSX are happy to warrant voltage up to this extreme amount.

 

 

To the left we see the stock clocked settings and to the right are the max stable overclock we achieved. Although not a massive leap, we did achieve a 133mhz boost from the stock 2000mhz. As we couldn’t take them any further in the bandwidth stakes, we tightened the timings up a little, so it’s a win/win scenario for the Diablo3. Surprisingly, adding extra voltage didn’t allow any more headroom and the settings were still stable at 1.95. Any lower and we started running into some issues. So with 2133mhz ram and tight timings on tap, these sticks are proving to be more than meets the eye. Let’s see how the benchmarks fair.