Kingmax Hardcore Memory: Tiny BGA Reaches For Top Speed
by Wesley Fink on March 9, 2004 11:12 AM EST- Posted in
- Memory
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.
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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