Geil Ultra DDR3 2x1GB Review

gotdamojo06 - September 2, 2008
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Testing:

The best way to verify that one set of memory modules is better than another is to run a series of benchmarks to put down some basic comparison data. When all things are equal and the only variable is the module being tested, the results are a great way to compare performance, good or bad. In order to eliminate the variables, the only settings that will be manipulated are the memory timings and voltages when overclocking. The comparison modules will be run at the manufacturer specified timings and voltages at 1333MHz, the common DDR3 speed. The Geil Ultra DDR3 2x1GB kit will be run at stock speeds and voltages at both 1333MHz, as well as 1600MHz, and then finally overclocked. The G.Skill kit just could not make the 1600MHz mark so it was excluded from that level of testing.

Testing Setup:

CPU: Intel Q9450 Core 2 Quad 333 x 8
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Extreme
Memory: Geil Ultra DDR3 1600 2 x 1GB @ 7-7-7-24 1.8V
Video Card(s): VisionTek HD3850
Power Supply: Mushkin 800watt Modular Power supply
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500GB 16MB cache SATA
Opticals: LiteOn DVD-RW
O/S: Windows Vista Ultimate

Comparison Modules:

Comparison: Aeneon XTune DDR3 1600 2 x 1GB @ 8-8-8-24 1.5V
Comparison: Aeneon XTune DDR3 1333 2 x 1GB @ 8-8-8-24 1.5V
Comparison: G.Skill DDR3 1333 2 x 1GB @ 8-8-8-21 1.65V

CPU-Z: This application shows us the settings that we have chosen in the BIOS. Items shown in this application include CPU speed and bus settings, motherboard manufacturer, BIOS revisions, memory timings and SPD chip information.

Task Manager: We use this utility to show physical memory, kernel memory, page file usage and processor usage (%).

Overclocking:

Overclocked settings:

Processor: Intel Q9450 @ 440x6 with 1.368 volts
Memory: Geil Ultra DDR3 1600 @ 1760MHz @ 7-7-7-42 and 2.12 volts

When it comes to overclocking the Geil Ultra DDR3 2x1GB kit, I will be only adjusting the frequency at which they operate as well as the voltages that it takes to get there, I will be leaving the timings at 7-7-7-24 to see how high I can possibly get them to go. I did have to up the voltages to 2.12 volts to be able to get the memory stable at 1760MHz with the stock timings (7-7-7-24). It was actually quite simple and easy to overclock this memory and once I threw some extra voltage at them, they would just fly and take the MHz easily.

As an enthusiast community, we tend to push our hardware to the max all the time. At OverclockersClub, we do not condone running your hardware outside of the parameters set by the manufacturer and will not be responsible for any damage to your hardware while trying to duplicate the results of our testing. With that out of the way, let the testing begin.