Conclusion

We must say that the results we obtained are really great. The modules are all performing above their specifications.

The overclock capabilities of the modules are very diverse. Sometimes there isn't a logical explanation for the results. For example: The PC4800FR modules won't even boot at CL2.0-2-2-5 1T, while they climb to the highest MHz on higher latencies. Note that these modules use the same chips as the other modules (Samsung TCCD 440).

You may have noticed, that we used 3.0* volt with the TCCD modules. Don't think that this is needed to gain a great result. It's just to squeeze the last 1-2 MHz out of the modules. Just like we did, you have to test different voltages at different timings. As you can see in the CL2.5 3-3-6 1T graph, PC4800FR only needs 2.57 volt to archive its best result. On the other hand, at CL2.0 3-3-6 1T it prefers high voltages.


To the point: What has G.Skill to offer?

For the tightest timings, only Winbond chips are interesting. G.Skill offers Winbond UTT-based modules, which they call PC3200GH. Most of the times they are able to run at DDR520. For 2x 512MB, this is a great result and the price is very reasonable (about $145).

Best choice for low latencies:




If you decide to buy TCC*-based modules, it doesn’t mean you cannot get good results at CL2.0 timings. You’ll just have to be satisfied with a higher Tras and trcd timing (CL2.0 3-3-6 1T). The TCC*-based modules won’t beat the Winbonds here, but they get very close to them.

We have reached DDR516 with one of our PC4800FR kits. More interesting even, is the fact that all the Samsung-based products were able to run above DDR500 at this timing.

The most often used timings with Samsung TCCD is CL2.5 3-3-6/7. Everybody hopes their kit will reach the magical DDR600. Only 2 of the 7 kits tested were able to do this: PC4800FF and PC4400FC. The last one is the most interesting here, because it is the cheapest Samsung-based kit from G.Skill (~$190). That’s over $100 cheaper then the PC4800FF kit. And the difference in HTT is only 1 MHz: PC4400FC @ DDR600, PC4800FF @ DDR602.

We may say that the PC4400FC and PC4800FF kits are the best kits to run at these timings.
The PC4400LE also produced nice results here, these two sets were maxed out at respectively DDR574 and DDR596. The remaining PC4800FR modules didn’t do a great job here, they got stuck at DDR540-DDR546.

Best choice for CL2.5-3-3-6 1T:



In our review, ALL the TCC*-based modules were able to run DDR600 at 1T timing. The results varied from DDR600 to DDR618, and the 512MB PC4800LA set reached DDR660 at CL2.5 4-4-8 1T.

Running at these timings, PC3200ZX showed its first result above DDR500. With DDR502 for kit #1 and DDR510 for kit #2, they have reached their maximum MHz. This is a fine result for normal value memory.

If you want to go for the highest HTT, you must disable the command per clockcycle. CL2.5 4-4-8 2T showed us a DDR650 from one of the PC4800FR kits. But not all of the memory modules showed a lot of improvement when disabling the command per clockcycle.

Highest MHz




Every kit of G.Skill has its own advantages. You have to decide which timing and HTT you aim to run at, and that will depend on your cpu/motherboard capabilities, And off course the all important question: how much money do you want to spend.

We think that PC4400FC has the best overall performance.
+ DDR600 @ CL2.5 3-3-6 1T
+ Low price
+ Heat spreaders looks nice

Best overall choice:



We hope, just like every reviewer, that this article will make your decision making easier!

More info on G.Skill Products at their website!

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We at Madshrimps would like to thank Mark and Elmer for their amazing effort in collecting this much overclocking data, as you know, overclocking is a trial and error process, testing one pair of memory modules with different timings and voltages might take hours to do. These guys got the heart to attack 11 sets and finish it up in one weekend! rEPSECT!

Questions/Comments: forum thread