Conclusion

The goal of this article was to provide you, our readers, answers to a good number of question that you may have been wondering about on the operation and performance of DDR2. We hope to have answered them as well as possible. To conclude, we will summarize the various points we explored here and offer our verdict on the high-end modules we tested.

We’ll start by discussing the performance of DDR2 in the modes we used. As we saw, the synchronous modes 1:1 at 266 MHz (DDR2-533) and asynchronous 3:4 at 250 MHz (DDR2-667) offer much better performance than traditional 800FSB mode/DDR533. This said, to try to compete with DDR2-667 effectively at low timings, one needs at least CAS 3-3-3 in DDR533 synchronous mode. On the subject of timings, it is significant to note that, according to our tests, latency timings in DDR2 seem much more critical than in DDR1.

So, if the "standard" CAS 4-4-4-12 mode at best was only able to equal the performance of DDR1-400, the 3-3-3-8 mode enables DDR2-533 to out-perform DDR1. Furthermore, the increase in frequency of DDR2 seems far from stopping. Just one month after the launch, these modules already seem to have 800 MHz nearly within reach. Many modules tested in this comparison were limited to DDR2-740 by the motherboard (and the CPU) used. Now let’s address the various modules tested.

Let’s start with Corsair. The first to make DDR2-667 truly available (we always wait for the modules promised by OCZ in its press releases), Corsair looks after its image as leader in top-of-the-line memory. The DDR2-667 modules are among the most consistent modules, allowing very high frequency operation as well as an unquestionable stability with aggressive timings, the Corsair memory has only one drawback, usually: its price. Reserved thus only for those who want an INTEL solution at all costs, and the expression here is well chosen.

A subsidiary company intended for the "general public" sale of Micron, Crucial hits the mark here by offering a very good quality range of modules with remarkable performance. If PC4000 modules of this brand were already mentioned by our fellow-members, the DDR2-667 modules also earned the mention. Scaling easily in frequency, the only disadvantage these modules have is their inability to support fast timings at high speeds, and also, DDR2-667 required, their price. This said, Crucial is now a serious competitor to Corsair and could prove awkward for the pirate in the near future. Moreover, their online store is a model of the genre and the associated services like SAV, lifetime warranty or the delivery already proved largely reliable. Besides, it’s a wonder why anyone would still buy generic since you can have the basic Crucial model at the same price... Yes, I make them shameless publicity, but the quality of Crucial deserves to be recognized and considering the shadiness of some companies in this field, that is the least I can do.

Having launched their "HyperX" line a few months ago to try to compete with Corsair and Co, Kingston currently has the appearance of an outsider. However, they retain many positive points. First, the quality of the modules is good. The performance delivered is also remarkable for Value modules. Moreover, and it is a big advantage, the Kingston modules are the least expensive of this roundup. Available for less than 300€ on the web site of their brand which, unfortunately, delivers only to the USA, they can be found in France for a little more than 350€, which considering their performance, makes them the best price/quality of this roundup. The only problem with Kingston currently is their lack of a distributor in France. It would be a pity that this fact wastes the growth potential of this mark, which obviously has some opportunity.

Let’s finish with OCZ. The report is not very glorious. Admittedly, the provided modules offer very good performance, but those are exactly identical to the Kingston modules, as we technically showed in the section devoted to said OCZ. That said, their primary problem does not come from that, but from their famous "Enhanced Bandwidth" technology. It seems indeed clear that this technology is only wind, invented purely by marketing and, as we have demonstrated, not based on any technical parameters. Furthermore, nobody at OCZ could answer the question "Exactly what is Enhanced Bandwidth in technical terms?".

In conclusion, the choice of a DDR2-667 memory is justified in the very top-of-the-line one for overclocking fans wanting to use synchronous mode with fast timings (all DDR2 memories of this roundup support CAS 3-3-3-8 at FSB266 1:1) or better the 3:4 mode with lower timings, but a frequency of more than 700 MHz. Your brand choice will then be based on the stated performance, your planned usage and of course, personal preference... Voila, three medals: