After installing the Apacer PC5300 2X512MB memory modules in our test system as dual channel, we ran CPU-Z in order to see how they were identified by WinXP (SP2).

The first tests were done at 533Mhz with 4-4-4-11 timings, a setting which is automatically provided by the SPD. Below you can see further details for the memory and the CPU:

The next step was to set the memory to run at 667MHz, with the same timings. For this we had to increase the FSB from 200 up to 250. The configuration is given below.

Finally, we tried to find the highest limit for the memory. Above 674MHz, the memory either generated Memtest86+ errors or froze the system. We tried different timings, such as 5-5-5-15 but to no avail. The voltage during the tests was set at 2.2V. Since 674MHz is close enough to 667MHz, we considered it pointless to repeat all the tests for such a small gain.

In the following pages we will be comparing the performance of the Apacer memory to that of the OCZ PC5300. As you'll see, both memories report similar performance with the same configuration, at 533MHz and 667MHz. What makes the difference however, is that the OCZ modules are capable of running at 698MHz with 4-4-4-8 timings, while the CPU speed reached the amazing 3.93GHz with the FSB set at 262.

OCZ

Here's a rundown of our testbed:

System Specifications
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.00Ghz 530
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
Case: Antec
Motherboard: Asus P5AD2-E Premium
Power supply: CoolerMaster 450W
Memory: Apacer, OCZ PC5300 (dual channel)
VGA: Aopen Aeolus 6800Ultra PCI-E
Hard Disk Drive: WD800JD 80GB 7200RPM
OS: Windows XP Pro SP2
Drivers: 7.1.8.4
DirectX: v9.0c

Benchmarks & Applications used

• Memtest86+-1.60
• Sisoft Sandra 2005
• PcMark04
• Performance Test V5.0 ( PassMark)
• Half Life 2 - VST
• CPU-Z v1.29