Mushkin 4GB XP2-8000 – Return of Redline!

[Eldonko]

Mushkin 4GB XP2-8000 – Return of Redline!



Yes you heard it right, Redline is back with a new 4GB kit flavour!

Mushkin 2x2GB DDR2-1000 XP2 Redline CL5-5-5-15 @ 2.1V

For the few of you that don’t know, Redline is a product of Mushkin’s exclusive EPIC (Enhanced Performance IC) selection process and is Mushkin’s flagship mem.

That being said, here is your Mushkin 4GB XP2-8000 Redline (part 996593) test report:

Content:
Specifications
Packaging
Test Bed
Testing Methodology
Test Results
Testing Summary
Observations and Impressions
Availability and Pricing

Specifications:
Frequency: DDR1000 (500Mhz)
Latency: CL5-5-5-12
Voltage: 2.1v
Pins: 240
Parity: Unbuffered
Chips: I can’t comment on the chips quite yet.[/size]

Packaging:
The XP2-8000 uses the new FrostByte™ (red) Redline heatspreader and comes with Mushkin’s new packaging.

You will probably notice that the spreaders use the old BH-5 style clips, but the new style spreaders. I thinking that this style clip gives better chip to spreader contact than the top clip style in some older DDR2 kits.



...… ...[/center]


Test Bed
This time for testing, I am using a Q6600 setup with ASUS P5K vanilla (P35). I am also doing all tests on Vista 64 bit this time so we can see stability for all 4GB of RAM.

Full system specs are as follows:

• ASUS P5K
• Q6600
• XFX GeForce 8600GT @ stock
• Mushkin XP-650
• Windows Vista, 64bit, untweaked
• CPU Cooling - Custom H20 and stock cooler on the NB
• RAM Cooling – 120mm Panaflo

Testing methodology:
For stability I will run two instances of HCI Memtest and 32M at the same time. Vista uses 1GB, Memtest 2GB and PI a little more, giving over 80% mem usage. HCI Memtest is very good for picking up mem errors and I have found that 200% (about 30 minutes) and a 32M at the same time is sufficient for this report.

For the purposes of this review, I am going to test 4-3-3, 4-4-4, and 5-5-5 using 1.9v, 2.0v, and 2.1v for the mem.

The kit I am testing came from Mushkin directly and was provided my Mr. Flood, Head of Mushkin R&D. Brian assured me that the kit I was sent was pulled randomly from the retail kits and was not cherry picked.[/SIZE]

Benches used:[/SIZE]
Super PI v1.5 (32M)[/SIZE]

Tools:
SetFSB
Memset 3.3
HCI Memtest
CPU-Z

[Eldonko]

Test Results:

4-4-4 – 1.9v – 412Mhz


4-4-4 – 2.0v – 419Mhz


4-4-4 – 2.1v – 422Mhz


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5-5-5 – 1.9v – 550Mhz


5-5-5 – 2.0v – 557Mhz


5-5-5 – 2.1v – 558Mhz


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Summary:



Observations and Impressions

Well first off let me say that I am pleased with the results of this mem. Although it doesn't scale as well as some of the older 2GB microns out there, it runs at high speeds at low voltages. A reasonable cost makes this a great option for your gaming or 64 bit pcs. A few observations I made when testing are as follows:

• When dropping trcd and trp I would lose almost 100 mhz at 5-5-5 so it was not worth the mhz loss. At 4-4-4 dropping trcd/trp to 4-3-3 put clocks down below 350Mhz thus this mem performs best at 5-5-5 and 4-4-4. You can tighten trp a bit but I didnt see a difference in performance in doing so.
• tREF at its highest value (16383) was best for performance.
• 2.0v seems about ideal vdimm for these sticks although they are spec at 2.1v. Some sticks will respond better to 2.1v that others.
• trfc has a big impact on clocks. Ideal for 5-5-5 trfc was best at 52, but tighter timings allows tighter trfc, ie 4-4-4 can run 44 trfc.
• The EPP profiles are bang on and give a good starting point for tweeking.

Availability and Pricing:

Pricing should be around $175 upon release at resellers but is subject to change. These kits should be available in about two weeks.

Well that is it, post questions if you have em.

[Adrgha]

Thanks alot for this, it answered alot of my questions. I'd love to see how it scales above 2.1v though, but I guess you aren't allowed to test them outside specs?

All in all it looks good for the price, so I think I'm going to order myself a kit of these tomorrow!

[Mike]

Very nice review Eldonko!!

[Greg]

Thanks, top notch as always

[overclocker]

Thank you a lot

Buying kit this week

[Eldonko]

Thanks alot for this, it answered alot of my questions. I'd love to see how it scales above 2.1v though, but I guess you aren't allowed to test them outside specs?

The kit I tested didnt scale much past 2.0v, and I am actually going to run this at DDR1100 @ 1.9v for 24/7. Not much point in using more volts for a mhz or 2 on a day to day system.

Not all kits are not exactly the same though, some may scale to 2.1v better than others, YRMV. Best advice is to test at 1.9v and at 2.1v, and if you only see a few mhz with the extra voltage then 1.9v is probably the way to go.

[Red_Ivan]

Great review !

Just a quick question before I press the order button at my local retailer;
Will this memory kit work on the up and coming X48 chipset from Intel that I am currently waiting for ?
More specifically; Will it work on the ASUS Rampage Formula X48 ? (supports PC8500 DDR2)

[Greg]

Yup it will work fine. I have a x38 maximus formula, which is basically same thing, but x48 is a higher binned chip.

I can run 1000Mhz easily with my hp2-6400 2x2GB.

[Eldonko]

Yes that is no prob Red_Ivan.

[spyrus]

Can this kit run well on Abit Quad GT and ASUS Maximus Formula?
Also are they capable at running on 1T or is it only motherboard related?

[Greg]

Can this kit run well on Abit Quad GT and ASUS Maximus Formula?
Also are they capable at running on 1T or is it only motherboard related?

1T is motherboard related, running 2 sticks it may work.

I have maximus formula 2T and 1T are both 2T in 903 bios, they'll work fine on this board, should work fine on the Abit Quad GT also.

[n7]

How do you guys detemine who gets the special kits?





- Source

[ripken204]

where did you order yours from?
i am not sure but i would have to guess that if you buy directly from mushkin that you may get the special boxes.

[Greg]

This is the box used in EU, north america isn't using this packaging.