OCZ VX Revisited: DDR Updates on DFI nForce4
by Wesley Fink on March 30, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Memory
In our recent review of OCZ VX memory, we compared OCZ VX tested on the DFI nF4 SLI-DR to our past results of memory tests on the MSI nForce3 Ultra testbed. We were comfortable in our results based on past reviews that showed performance of the nForce3 and nForce4 to be essentially the same as well as AGP and PCI Express performance being essentially the same in the benchmarks that we use for memory testing. However, we did find after the review that there are performance improvements in the move from nVidia 61.77 drivers to the 71.80/71.84 drivers used in the DFI benchmarks.
Subsequent testing also revealed the memory overclocking capabilities of the DFI to be slightly better than the MSI K8N Neo2, so the fairest way of comparing the new OCZ VX PC4000 was to rerun memory tests of some of the top categories of DDR memory for the Athlon 64 platform. We benchmarked OCZ PC4000 VX, Crucial Ballistix PC3200, Corsair TwinX1024-4400C25, and OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev.2.
All 4 memories were retested on the DFI LANParty nF4 SLI-DR using the same components and driver versions. This should clearly show the comparative performance of these four top memories on the nForce4 platform.
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adg1034 - Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - link
Wesley- could you do a follow-up with the "Value VX"? I'd love to see how that does.Gogar - Friday, April 15, 2005 - link
I'm wondering how a 3000+ would perform in the used setup with the OCZ Plat rev2. Assuming it can reach the MHZ, would it really be the same as a 4000+?JoKeRr - Sunday, April 3, 2005 - link
#50, pretty sure A8N SLI gives Vdimm upto 3V.ISS - Saturday, April 2, 2005 - link
No doubt OCZ VX memory is cool. However, there is 1 major point to consider which I don't think anandtech did mention.Whats the long term effects of pushing running 3.5V on A64. I have read from forums that some users ended up with dead CPUs after pushing high memory voltages. I am not sure but I guess they have a dead memory controller. Can A64's on-die memory controller handle 3.5V Vdimm for prolong periods? Such as 3-6 months or even longer?
AMD did mention before that running high Vdimm may damage the CPU and void the warranty though. Also, you would have notice that literally all board manufacturers other than DFI limits the Vdimm to just 2.85V.
cryptonomicon - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
man, i wish they included a sweet pair of BH-5 in all of their mem tests (one of the 280+ mhz pairs 2225 ~3.3-3.4v) just so i would have a point of reference to all this NEW ram.NotoriousGIB - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
Ohh...last comment was for poster 26.NotoriousGIB - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
Thx for the comment, but I was already aware of that. Wesley, plz post your DRAM & Genie BIOS settings used in this comparison. If there are any other OCZ VX users that have busted 250MHz, please post your settings.Zebo - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
"zebo, i have no idea what you tried to just say "Don't worry about it just get the cheapest ram like Buffalo B-line /corsiar value and you'll be just fine. All this stuff is overated, overpriced and for competitive benchmarkers only.
ozzimark - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
#39-i've been through 4 sticks of ballistix. all of them can make it to 245mhz at 2.5-2-2-5, which is the limit of my memory controller. i think inconsistancy is a thing of the past now.
i would try to prove you wrong on your second point, but i'd need a new cpu for that :(
Teetu - Thursday, March 31, 2005 - link
is there anyway I get anand's complete settings for the ballistix ram?i know with the older bios DFI recommended bank interleave off, but has that changed with the 3/10 bios?