Golden Dragon PC3200 DC

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GeIL made a name from themselves with high speed single channel memories last fall. They were one of the first companies to offer PC3500 memory. And unlike several other manufacturers they actually fabricate their own memory chips... However, as more and more people have begun using GeIL memory some have been disappointed with them. So how is the new PC3200 dual channel going to stand up?

 

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Introduction

Today we take a look at GeIL's new Golden Dragon Dual Channel Series. As mentioned above our review samples are PC3200 rated. They are designed to take advantage of Intel's Springdale (i865) and Canterwood (i875) chipsets, as well as, NVIDIA's nForce2 chipset. With their Golden Dragon series GeIL has moved to their new chip designed called Wafer Level Chip Scale Package. These new chips are much smaller than their older GL2000 chips, have the GeIL logo on them, and appear to generate a lot less heat. Not only do they not have a heat spreader, but they are held in place underneath a sheet of clear plastic. So obviously these little guys must not get too hot.

 

One thing GeIL has consistently done well is package their products. Their older RAM comes with either copper or chrome plated heat spreaders and packed inside of an acrylic case. The newer Golden Dragon series has their very interestingly designed PCB with oriental dragon logos and their name printed on them. The RAM sticks themselves come in a very nice and tastefully designed case.

 

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Official Specs

• Hand Picked 5ns GeIL Chips

• WLCSP (Wafer Level Chip Scale Package) Memory features GeIL trademark on wafer

• Optimized SPD for Dual Channel DDR motherboard

• Classic Asian Antique-type Black Retail Pack

• Lifetime Warranty

• 6 Layers Ultra Low Noises Shielded Golden Color PCB Board

• Dragon Eye: One red LED on PCB board for memory module ON/OFF detection

• CAS 2 6-3-3 1T Running @ DDR400MHz PC3200

• 2.5v-3.1v

Not bad specs. A lifetime warranty on the RAM is always a good thing. And, 5ns chips basically means this memory is not overclocked slower memory, it is designed to run at PC3200 speeds. It is disappointing to see that GeIL still claims the memory might need between 2.5v and 3.1v. This can be a big problem consider most of the newer motherboards only allow up to 2.8v. Well at least they are up front and honest about the amount of voltage possibly needed. The "Dragon Eye" is something I hadn't seen on RAM sticks before. It seems pretty creative and looks damn good.

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Installation

Installation was a breeze...it's just RAM. The only thing I would point out is to make sure and read your motherboard's manual to make sure you put the RAM into the correct slots for dual channel mode.

 

 

After the RAM is installed most motherboards will show they are running in dual channel mode, DCDDR, in the startup screen. There should be nothing in bios you need to adjust or set.

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