Gaming Benchmarks



As is evident above we also tested this memory on the Gigabyte GA-G1975X. To see how the OCZ GOLD 6400 performed on the Intel 975X chipset check out my Gigabyte G1975X Turbo Review. For "real world" benchmarks I've included a few games. While OCZ GOLD 6400 may not be an Overclockers dream, one must remember overclocking is just as often based in luck as it is research and knowledge of manufacturing.

You can spend countless hours searching the Forums seeking out the best CPU stepping or IC part numbers all while paying homage to the Overclocking Gods. In the final analysis it always seems to come to dumb luck. You'll either find a part which exceeds its default specifications or not, there's no "sure thing" in the world of overclocking.

Your first and best investment will be the type of motherboard you find, without the appropriate overclocking platform you’re going to be limited from jump. Cooling is just as important, since temperature will limit overclocking especially if it involves any overvolting. DDR800 is nothing to snicker at since the next fastest memory on the market is DDR1000 or PC2-8000. Using the highest memory divisor you need a CPU capable of 250FSB overclock to utilize DDR1000.

Far Cry
The first gaming benchmark is based on the Ubisoft / Crytek game, the benchmark is one of several provided by the folks at HardwareOC. Recently an update has been released: Hardware Far Cry v.1.4.3. For my tests I used Roadside Version, PCGames Hardware Demo.



Doom 3
Doom 3 has a built-in benchmark accessible by depressing CTRL + ALT + ~ simultaneously. This brings up a command line into which you simply type > Time demo demo1 this must be run twice for the test / benchmark to get up to the appropriate frame rate and give an accurate reading of the system's potential




Conclusion

OCZ GOLD PC2-6400 is not the memory to plug into a system if your looking to achieve overclocking nirvana. What this memory does is perform as advertised and that is a good thing, especially given its low cost (Komplett.co UK £99.01/Newegg USA $150.00).

Timings were a bit loose, but given the fact that we’re at the JEDEC limit for DDR2 which is much more realistic then it was with JESD79E DDR (.pdf) specifications, latency while integral isn't as critical at such high speeds.

Over the past five years I've tested many OCZ memory modules and this is only the second pair which didn't overclock well beyond its rated speed. Initially I was a bit disappointed then I realized even after writing about overclocking complacency I’d become jaded, expecting an exceptionally high overclock when I know full well overclocking is 10% knowledge and 90% luck. Like counting the number of ICs in the 5-galon jar at your local General Store. OCZ has produced a cost effective product which runs as advertised at 800MHz. If you have a motherboard with the correct dividers this is a product I can recommend.

PRO
Plug and Play SPD timings
Runs totally stable without any need for voltage increases to DDR833

Looks great in any system
Reasonably priced


CON
Poor overclocking performance (increasing voltage doesn’t help)
Unable to manually adjust timings on the Asus P5WD2-P or Gigabyte G1975X-Turbo
Ran slightly above its specified timings (slower latencies)

Question/Comments: forum thread