Review: OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 DUAL CHANNEL MEMORY

A perusal of the official specifications will give us a better insight into just how good these modules are.

• 512MB module size x 2 (available as 2 x 256MB)
  
• Implemented using 32M x 8-bit (256-MBit) chips (1GB pack). Double-sided RAM.
  
• Integrated copper heat spreaders for improved thermal performance
  
• 184-pin DDR
  
• Lifetime OCZ limited warranty
  
• Optimised for dual-channel operation on Intel Canterwood / Springdale motherboards
  
• Six-layer PCB
  
• Retail boxed
  
• Latency: 3-4-4-8 @ 2.8v @ DDR500 speeds.

Our immediate complaint, if you will, is to do with the naming nomenclature of these modules. They're advertised as EL DDR (Enhanced Latency) sticks, yet the specified latency is no better than 3-4-4-8. Just how can one fairly call them Enhanced Latency, a term that has previously been applied to OCZ modules running at DDR400+ speeds with 2-2-2 timings, when the SPD is about as relaxed as one can possibly achieve ?. Sure, we fully accept that it's an immensely difficult proposition to put forward modules with ultra-high speeds and low latencies, but one shouldn't market it as such when the latency is set to a pre-defined high level. We're adamant that OCZ (and any other manufacturer) would counter such concerns with a barrage of benchmarks highlighting the limited effect of latency once one hits DDR500 speeds.

Besides that, there's little to surprise the RAM enthusiast. Premium system memory manufacturers have quietly been raising the required voltage for their top-of-the-line parts. OCZ state that no less than 2.8v is required to run these modules at DDR500 speeds. We don't really have a problem with that. Potential purchasers are likely to have motherboards with a wide degree of DDR voltage adjustment. Let's remember that this memory is squarely aimed at those who can run at 250FSB+. That brings us into a category presently occupied by Intel Canterwood and Springdale-based motherboards. Most decent boards will have 2.8v+ DDR on tap.

Pushing back the boundaries of system DDR is an inherently difficult task. Whereas we'd simply go straight into benchmarking a component, we feel that high-speed DDR needs to tested and verified as stable at high frequencies. With that in mind, we immediately put the OCZ PC-4000 Dual Channel memory kit into a trusty EPoX 4PDA2+ (Springdale) motherboard, knocked down our 3.2GHz ES P4's multiplier to 12x, and hit 250FSB in BIOS (3GHz / 250FSB / 1:1 ratio / DDR500 / 3-4-4-8 / 2.8v / phew!).

It's always pleasing and reassuring to see modules run exactly as planned. First-time boot and first-time Windows XP stability.

1024 MBytes of some of OCZ's finest, running in dual-channel mode and at DDR500 speeds, all with 3-4-4-8 latencies. Scary, huh ?.