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Test Setup

For this test, we chose the best performing Intel 975X motherboard we had in house, our excellent Asus P5W DH, and paired it with a QX6700! Later we also used the Asus P5N32-E SLI (review coming soon) and the Asus P5B-E.

In order to have a good basis for comparison, we re-tested three other sets of memory we had around the lab.

Benchmarks

Software used during testing consisted of the following:

• Windows XP Professional
• NVIDIA ForceWare 84.21 drivers
• RightMark Memory Analyzer
• SiSoft Sandra 2007
• WinRAR
• Doom 3

In order to keep the testing as fair as possible, we will use the following test platform:

• Intel Core 2 Quad QX6700 (Kentsfield) 2.66GHZ 1066MHZ FSB 8MB L2
• Asus P5W DH Deluxe motherboard
• Asus P5B-E Deluxe motherboard
• Asus P5N32-E SLI motherboard (review soon to be published)
• Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8000
• Corsair PC2-8500 memory
• SuperTalent low latency PC-6400 2GB kit
• OCZ PC-8888 memory
• XFX GeForce 7800 GT

As is our custom for a while now, we discuss our overclocking adventures at the end of the article. However, in the results you'll see in the following pages we include overclocked benchmarks to show you what gains you might get if you also achieved similar overclocks - our test sytems were all stable at the settings shown with air cooling. The chart labels incorporate a lot of information about the test configuration. The first line shows the socket type and the model of the processor. Since all the processors shown are dual core devices, we did not specify that on the charts.

The second line shows the "FSB/HT clock rate" x "CPU multiplier"  and the effective DDR memory speed. Please note that all DDR2 tests were run at 4-4-4-12 timings where possible.

Methodology

As I am reviewing high end "enthusiasts" memory, for this review (really, a mini-roundup as I am comparing the Twin2048X2-8888 to four other pairs of high end memory) I will be concentrating on seeing how far I can push these DIMM's - how fast can they go with a 4-4-4-12 timing?

You may find the results surprising!

Given that the 975X is currently one of the best chipsets available, it is not surprising that we were able to obtain excellent results. What you may find surprising is just how much "headroom" these dimm's have for being pushed beyond specifications...

I'd like to note that we could not run the memory at 1111-4-4-4-12 on our 975X board with our Core 2 Quad processor - this could be a limitation of the chipset, the memory module or "hidden" BIOS settings. Asus told us that the 975X chipset had problems reaching 1111MHz memory speed, so our problems were not surprising.

We initially had problems getting the memory running at 1111-4-4-4-12 with a P5N32-E SLI as well, however Corsair set up an similar system in their lab that was able to run at 1111-4-4-4-12, and sent us the settings they used - which got us to 1111-4-4-4-12 on the same board. Basically what they changed was increasing the NB and HT voltages, which we initially were reluctant to do given the ammount of heat the Nforce 680i chipset generates.

At Corsairs suggestion, we also tried 1111-4-4-4-12 was feasible on the Asus P5B-E, and it worked fine there as well.

Ok, enough talking... let's get on with the testing!