Test Results: Kingmax DDR500 and Kingmax DDR466

To test overclocked stability, we used the very demanding Gun Metal 2 - - Benchmark 2, which pushes systems with its DX9 routines. To be considered stable for test purposes, Gun Metal, our Quake3 benchmark, UT2003 Demo, Super PI, Halo, and Comanche 4 had to complete without incident. Any of these, and in particular, Super PI and Gun Metal, will crash a less-than stable memory configuration.

Kingmax DDR500 Hardcore Series - 2 x 512Mb Double-Bank
Speed Memory Timings & Voltage Quake3 fps Sandra UNBuffered Sandra Standard Buffered Super PI 2M places
(time in sec)
400DDR
800FSB
2-2-2-5
2.5V
329.2 INT 2892
FLT 2930
INT 4526
FLT 4524
129
433DDR
866FSB
2-2-3-6
2.5V
351.2 INT 3014
FLT 3071
INT 4853
FLT 4847
120
533DDR
1066FSB
2.5-4-4-7
2.75V
411.9 INT 3345
FLT 3362
INT 5842
FLT 5819
102
466DDR
933FSB
2.5-2-3-7
2.5V
376.1 INT 3257
FLT 3277
INT 5164
FLT 5164
112
500DDR
1000FSB
2.5-3-3-7
2.5V
396.4 INT 3341
FLT 3389
INT 5527
FLT 5528
106
528DDR
1056FSB
3-3-4-8
2.85V
416.3 INT 3477
FLT 3524
INT 5860
FLT 5866
99

It is amazing that the Kingmax BGA modules managed to run form DDR400 to DDR500 at the default 2.5V. This is the first DDR500 memory that we have tested actually to run at default voltage over such a wide range of memory speeds. The absolute ceiling for the Kingmax DDR500 modules was DDR528, and we were able to achieve this speed at voltages from 2.65V to 2.85V. Increasing the voltage at DDR528 just allowed tighter timings. At 2.65V, we could run stable 3-4-4-8 timings; at 2.75V, 3-3-4-8; and at 2.85V, the 3-3-3-8 timings as reported in the chart. While we were able to complete our benchmark tests at 2.5V at most Memory speeds, top stability was achieved at a 2.55V or 2.65V setting on the Asus P4C800-E motherboard.

Kingmax DDR466 Hardcore Series - 2 x 512Mb Double-Bank
Speed Memory Timings & Voltage Quake3 fps Sandra UNBuffered Sandra Standard Buffered Super PI 2M places
(time in sec)
400DDR
800FSB
2-2-3-5
2.5V
323.8 INT 2783
FLT 2833
INT 4459
FLT 4447
130
433DDR
866FSB
2.5-2-3-6
2.5V
349.0 INT 3002
FLT 3019
INT 4840
FLT 4837
121
466DDR
933FSB
2.5-3-3-7
2.5V
372.4 INT 3179
FLT 3201
INT 5154
FLT 5146
114
500DDR
1000FSB
3-4-4-8
2.85V
388.8 INT 3446
FLT 3518
INT 5429
FLT 5398
108

We really expected Kingmax DDR466 Hardcore Series to perform about the same as their DDR500 at lower speeds, but in fact, the DDR500 is also a better performer at the DDR400 end of the range as well. That is not to say DDR466 is not a good performer, since you would never call 2-2-3-5 at 2.5V a bad DDR400 performance. It is not as extraordinary as the DDR500 modules matching the fastest timings that we have ever seen at DDR400. DDR466 performance was very competitive with the best modules that we have tested across its operating range, with the memory topping out at DDR500. We could not achieve 1 MHz higher than DDR500, but performance was stable with higher voltage at that memory speed.

Performance Test Configuration Performance Comparisons
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  • Souka - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - link

    BGA modules have been on Laptop Memory modules for sometime.

    I will say that the BGA's run cooler, which means better battery life. How much? Maybe 10seconds, maybe 10minutes (based on a 4hr battery in my IBM T41)....I just don't have the time to do a fair test.

    My $.02
  • Evan Lieb - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - link

    We're going at ludicrous speed. ;)
  • PorBleemo - Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - link

    I agree AgaBooga, the AT staff has shifted into 6th gear. :)
  • AgaBooga - Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - link

    Good article, glad to see how fast you guys are crankin out articles :D

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