OCZ PC3200 Platinum EL DC
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System memory is just one of these things you really need when building a good system. And lately, the more of it the better. And even more importantly, the FASTER the better. Today we are checking out some super sexy EL DDR DC Platinum 3200 from OCZ Technology Inc. What makes the platinum edition memory so special? Well, not only do you get memory rated to run at 400MHz DDR at CL 2-2-3-5 but you'll also get the awesome new platinum heat spreaders, as well as OCZ's commitment to quality. As it stands now, there are very few memory manufacturers on the market introducing new and innovative memory products, and OCZ easily stands tall as one of the top contenders.
Specifications
Lets dig right in and checkout the specs of this particular memory.
 | ULN Technology: (U)ltra (L)ow (N)oise shielded PCB |
| Lifetime Warranty |
| 512MB(256MB x 2 modules) or 1024MB(512MB x 2 modules) kits |
| 512MB PN-
OCZ400512ELDCPE-K |
| 1024MB PN-
OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K |
| Based on OCZ brand EL DDR IC (4.5 ns) |
| CL 2-2-3-5 200 (400) MHz* |
| Optimized for dual channel operation |
| JEDEC voltage compliant ( 2.6 volt support ) |
| 184 Pin Dimm |
| Unbuffered |
| | Optional: |
| Retail boxed |
| Includes: memory installation guide. |
This memory comes complete in 2 sized kits. Both a 2 x 256MB (512MB) module kit and a 2 x 512MB module kit (1024MB). Today we will be testing the 2 x 256MB kit. Before we move on, I'd also like to cover what exactly the speed rating covers when it comes to DDR memory. Just a small list that breaks it down in an easy to understand manner.
- PC2100 - 133MHz/DDR266
- PC2400 - 150MHz/DDR300
- PC2700 - 166MHz/DDR333
- PC3200 - 200MHz/DDR400
- PC3500 - 216.66MHz/DDR433
- PC3700 - 233MHz/DDR466
- PC4200 - 266MHz/DDR533
- PC4500 - 282.66MHz/DDR566
With the latest chipsets Canterwood and Springdale recently introduced by Intel, we are in desperate need of the super fast memory that will let us overclock the newer "C" stepping processors. Even stock these CPU's are running 200MHz so they'll need an absolute minimum of PC3200. If you plan on overclocking, you'll want some really good PC3500 or higher. And quite honestly, the hardcore overclocking crowd will be calling for PC4200 and higher very soon. Especially since the introduction of the new Intel P4 2.4C and 2.6C CPU's. The core of these chips seem to top out at just over 3500MHz. So the 2.4C will need roughly 290MHz and the 2.6C will need around 270MHz to reach the 3500MHz plateau. Currently there is no memory available that is sold guaranteed to run those speeds, but lets hope companies begin to introduce these to the masses soon.
Out of the Box
Lets take a look at the memory itself, in retail packaging and out.
In the first pics it can be somewhat hard to make out how excellent the platinum really looks. Lets look at the memory from a few different angles.
Here we start to see this isn't just memory with your average heat spreaders. It looks even better installed. Lets look at a few more pics then head over to page two for install and benchmarking.
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