OCZ Platinum PC4800 - The Memory
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As I mentioned earlier, these memory is meant to run at higher clock speeds than the VX we reviewed earlier. These modules have Samsung’s TCCD chips on them. These chips tend to be able to run 2-2-2-5 at speeds in the 200 MHz range. However, unlike the VX, that showed little gain in speed when the latency was eased, the Platinum scales very well with relaxed timings, as we will see. As far as the top speeds you're likely to see, while you might get better than average modules, that is totally random. These are guaranteed to run PC4800; any higher is extra, but don’t expect to get to PC5000 out of them. I’m sure these have been put into the PC5000 bin.
TCCD memory is very capable of high speeds, but finding them is hit or miss. OCZ has taken the guesswork out of buying the right memory. They test the memory before shipping it, so they know what each stick can do. The good news about this is that you are guaranteed a speed; the bad news is that the overclock might not be that good.
All of the speeds and tests below will be run at the 1T command rate. The memory is capable of running at the tighter command rate, and The DFI nForce 4 boards play nicely with OCZ memory. We should get better results using the 1T command rate.
Keeping a fan blowing on this memory is highly recommended. Even at stock timings and stock volts, this memory gets hot. Heat becomes an issue with this RAM. If it grows too hot, you will start finding errors in Memtest86+ at speeds at which it would otherwise be stable.
VX vs. Platinum PC4800
While writing this review, many people asked me the question: “Should I get the VX or the PC4800?” I said you can’t go wrong with either memory, but it really depends on what the rest of your system looks like. If you are running a system with a higher FSB, such as many of the AMD Athlon 64s, the extra bandwidth you will get from the higher speed is the way for you to go. If you have an Intel CPU, or any other CPU that can’t reach high FSBs, then the VX is more up your alley.
Running the PC4800 at 250MHz isn’t going to give you the best results; these high speed memories need to be run at high speeds. The 300 MHz is only obtainable with AMD processors, due to their unlocked lower multipliers, and a few select Pentium 4s that are able to hit 300 MHz FSB. Even then, the TCCD chips favor the AMD chips.
As you may have noticed, the VX I reviewed earlier was part of OCZ's Gold series, and this memory is part of their Platinum series. What is the difference, you may ask? Other than the heatspreader color, the Gold series is geared to gamers, with the lower latency, while the Platinum is targeted more to the general overclocker.
Next: Overclocking >>
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