Gaming tests. Overclocking/versatility
Our first gaming test, DOOM 3, also shows very little performance benefit between single- and dual-channel mode for the TWIN2X1024-8500 memory. We need a system bus that's much, much faster than 266MHz to take full advantage of the extra bandwidth that DC mode brings. Still, the '8500 pack, hampered somewhat by high latencies, is faster than a low-latency (3-2-2-8) DDR2-667 set.
The fastest memory remains the TWIN2X1024-8500 pack, pulling out 10FPS on a dual-channel set that runs at half the speed.
Overclocking/versatility
Is 1066MHz not fast enough for you? How does the pack run with tighter timings?
Thanks to the multitude of ratios on offer and an unlocked CPU, we were able to run the RAM at almost any frequency. Our first test was to lower the latencies to 3-3-3-9 and determine the highest frequency that the modules would pass a 10-minute Memtest86+ examination without failure. 731MHz isn't too shabby but the Micron Rev D RAM isn't tweaked to run at low latencies. For example, the system didn't boot with BIOS set to 3-2-2-8 @ DDR533 speeds.
Loosening timings to 4-4-4-12 paid huge dividends, getting close to the rated speed of 1066MHz. Keeping latencies as per spec. allowed us to almost hit a stable 1100MHz without any additional cooling or voltage.
