OCZ PC3700 Gold Rev. 2 - Dual Channel Memory Kit

Manufacturer: OCZ Technology
Supplied by: OCZ Technology
Street Price: $148 

by Dean Barker  (1/19/2004)

Introduction

Memory speeds have radically increased over the past year.  So much so, that the technology is spilling over into the *cough* lower speed memories.  I say "lower speed memories" with a mild pause because even though PC4400 RAM is now available, I'm not exactly sure that qualifies PC3500 or PC3700 to be called "low speed" just yet.  Today, we have a Dual Memory Kit from OCZ Technology on the bench, the OCZ PC3700 Gold Revision 2 modules.  Offered in 512mb and 1gb kits, they very much can satisfy your need for speed.  Let's move on so I can show you what I mean.  Off to the specs.

Specifications

• Rated at 2.5-3-3-7 @ 466 MHz DDR

• ULN Technology: Ultra Low Noise shielded PCB

• Gold layered heat spreaders

• Available in 512mb and 1gb kits

• Optimized for high speed apps on i865/i875 chipset platforms

• OCZ HyperSpeed Technology

• EVP (Extended Voltage Protection Technology allowing up to 2.9 volts DDR while maintaining warranty.  (Stock voltage = 2.7 v)

• Lifetime warranty

• Unbuffered

Technology

Early on, I noted advances in technology, let's take a minute to review what these are.  Here is some copy/paste off the OCZ site explaining some of this to you.

OCZ HyperSpeed® technology denotes specific ICs built and selected for their ability to run at the highest possible frequency. HyperSpeed® enabled modules contain firmware and are built on a PCB that is optimized for the highest possible frequency and due to these optimizations the modules may not allow latency faster than 2.5-3-3-7, regardless of the module frequency.

OCZ Gold modules have been designed and optimized for use with the Intel i865/i875 chipsets and work best on these platforms. For AMD Athlon XP users we suggest OCZ Platinum Edition DDR.

Another feature of the OCZ Gold is the EVP or Extended Voltage Protection.  We all know that the instant you bump the voltage up on your RAM or processor, your warranty becomes a thing of the past.  OCZ has designed their Gold Rev.2 memory with overclocking in mind.  Their warranty covers voltage adjustments up to 2.9v.  The stick's factory voltage is 2.7v so it seems pretty clear, OCZ is putting its money where its mouth is.

The Stick

The DIMMs themselves are absolutely beautiful.  A mirror like finish with a golden hue make the OCZ modules immediate eye catchers.  I can only imagine what these are going to look like reflecting the inside of a case sporting gobs of neon.

The heatspreaders have a bit of weight to them because of the copper they are constructed of.  A normal DIMM will weigh in a just under 40 grams where the OCZ Gold DIMMS tip the scales at 74 grams.  On each DIMM we find an OCZ decal identifying the memory and its rating.  We also find, centered on either side of the heatspreader, the OCZ logo that has been stamped into the copper.

  

The heatspreaders are held in place by two clips that keep things nestled tightly against the memory chips on the PCB beneath.

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