1. Specifications, features
After reviewing the Patriot PC3-14400 DDR3 modules last week, today we have the chance to experiment with another product from Patriot, the PC2-9200 DDR2 modules.
Part of the Patriot Extreme Performance (EP) Enhanced Latency line, the memory kit is engineered to expand your gaming options. The modules are designed to operate at 1150MHz at 5-5-5-12 timings and is available in 2GB kit capacity.
Patriot's ACC (Aluminum Copper Composite) technology contribute to better stability under extreme overclocking conditions.
- Main features
- Extreme Performance PC2-9200 (1150MHz) with 2x1GB
- Enhanced Latency (5-5-5-15 @ 2.3V)
- Equipped Patriot Viper Heat Shields with integrated ACC (Aluminum Copper Composite) technology
- 100% Tested and Verified
- Lifetime Warranty
- Unbuffered
- NON-ECC
- RoHS Compliant
- EPP Ready
- Retail package
Patriot Memory provided us with the retail package of the 2GB kit (2x1GB) PC2-9200 memory, part number PVS22G9200ELK. The modules retail for around ~$70 (with rebate).
Both ram modules are covered with a pair of black 'Viper Fin' heatsinks, made of copper and aluminum composites.
Flipping the memory modules the other way around, we can see that there is a small sticker with part number, memory timings and voltages.
Partiot offers those memory modules with up to 1150MHz (aka PC2-9200) speeds with the tight timings of 5-5-5-15. The increased voltage (2.3V) shouldn't be a problem here since the memory modules are designed to work without any problems and are backed by a lifetime warranty.
The Patriot PC2-9200 supports Nvidia's EPP profile for 571MHz frequencies, while all other are embedded JEDEC timings with 1.80V:
2. Tests
Below you can see out test PC setup:
- CPU: Intel Q9300 Retail
- Motherboard: Asus P5K Premium BIOS 0612
- PSU: OCZ GameXStream GXS600 SLI-Ready
- VGA: MSI 7600GT Silent (stock memory/core timings)
- HDD: WD 800JB
- OS: Windows XP SP2 with all the latest updates installed
In this series of tests our goal is to examine the stability of the memory modules under various frequencies at the lowest available timings. This is rather a test and trial procedure and of course the results may vary among motherboard and of course different chipsets.
Starting from 400MHz, we managed to get down to 4-4-4-15-1T timings. We tried to lower them further but they refused to work, even with higher voltage. So back to 4-4-4-15 with 1.8V where the system was totally stable.
By changing the FSB:DRAM divider, we were able to get to a higher memory speed, without affecting the CPU speed. So we reached the 417MHz and still we have CL4:
Another memory divider allows us to go even higher up to 445Mhz with CL4
With 2.30V, we managed to get 500Mhz with CL4, although we had to rise the tRCD and tRP from 4 to 5. So we got a 4-5-5-15-2T:
Getting to 1066MHz with CL4 (2.30V) is very impressive:
After that point we had to switch to CL5 in order to maintain stability at 2.30V. The 556MHz (1112MHz effective) was very easy to achieve:
Pushing both our test motherboard and the memory we went up to 576MHz (effective 1152MHz) with CL5, reaching their specifications' limits. However, we will try to go even higher:
We managed to reach the 600MHz, which is probably a top roof for the specific motherboard.
For our tests, all settings were left to Auto.
3. Final words
Prices of the DDR2 memory modules have have dropped the new Patriot PC2-9200 is a great example of 2x1GB of memory priced at just $70. But what can you expect with such a low retail price?
Our test results s were impressive in all areas. The memory modules easily reached the 600MHz (1200MHz effective) with CL5 and 2.30V! Since its rating is around CL5 and 1152MHz, we have the feeling that the overclocking performance is very good. Again such high overclocking attempts require a proper motherboard and lot of tweaking to achieve the best results. According to various reports, these modules can even go further up to 1250+MHz, and our results allow us to believe it.
Patriot PC2-9200 memory modules offer a great performance/price ratio plus great overclocking capabilities. Adding the provided lifetime warranty, we may say that you cannot really go wrong with this product.
