Crucial Ballistix PC4000 Rocks!

[Hauk]

Just popped 1gig in my system and set timings where I plan to stay:

210FSB x 9 on AMD 64 2800 (1890MHz), 1.55v
Ballistx PC4000 @ CL 2, 2-5-2, CMD 1T, agressive timing, 2.7v

It boots where my Corsair failed, memtest running flawlessly, FarCry/Doom 3 no problems!

I suspected the Ballistix PC4000 used the same low latency chips found on the PC3200. For kicks, tonight I'll try relaxing timings and upping FSB. So far, this stuff is awesome!



My Rig:

MSI K8N Neo Platinum Socket 754
AMD 2800 @ 210FSB (1890MHz)
BFG 6800GT w/NV5 cooler 400/1050
1Gig (2x512) Crucial Ballistx PC4000
SB Audigy 2

 

[Imyourzero]

If only they made it in a 1GB stick...

Glad it's working well for you though. I haven't seen too many people running this mem (yet). It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the "usual" enthusiast memory (Crucial, Mushkin, OCZ)

 

[Shimmishim]

you may have to use cmd 2t when you up your fsb....

running 210 is nothing for the ballistix... especially pc4000

you should be able to run at least 250 HT 1:1 if not higher... but you will have to relax your timings

 

[Hauk]

Thanks for the advice Shimshim. I went up to 220 FSB, adjusting timings to 2.5, 3-6-3 and got a lock up. May have to relax timings a bit more. I'll try CMD 2T first.

I'm pretty darn happy already. I was stuck at 205FSB, 2.5, 3-6-3 with my Corsair XMS PC3200. It was the lower end, non LL though...

 

[klah]

..

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: SteelSix
Thanks for the advice Shimshim. I went up to 220 FSB, adjusting timings to 2.5, 3-6-3 and got a lock up. May have to relax timings a bit more. I'll try CMD 2T first.

Try the 5x multi and see how high you can get the mem @ 1:1.

 

[CraigRT]

so wait a minute.. 210FSB CAS2 with PC4000.... that sounds like it's running within spec if not even less?
I mean, that RAM should be able to do 233 or more easily I would think... but about the CAS latencies, I don't know.
if you go into SiSoft Sandra, the program should tell you about the memory module, and tell you the maximum specified speed for each CAS latency... maybe check that out and see what it has to say.

 

[Bar81]

Nothing like UNDERclocking RAM to determine how much it kicks ass...

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Bar81
Nothing like UNDERclocking RAM to determine how much it kicks ass...

 

[Ackmed]

My 2x512 HyperX does 260@1:1 with its rated timings on my K8N Neo Plat.

Its not CL 2.5 though, but Ive had it well over a year and its still going strong.

 

[Stormgiant]

Althought I agree with most of you that it's fsb ain't that great, you don't find any PC4000 that runs CL2 at that fsb. Most of them don't even run CAS2 at all.

 

[Hauk]

Thanks Strom, that's the point I was trying to make.

Get your hand off your yank Bar81 and pay attention!

My POINT was, Ballistix PC4000 is rated at 2.5 3-8-3 to run at 250FSB or better. But if you want low latency, running at or around DDR400, it will do it, with the tighest timings . Esentially, you can take this stuff across the spectrum. I was able to do it with a lower than specified voltage (2.7v, rated at 2.8).

I've not seen many modules with this flexibility. IMHO, BH5 may be dethroned.

It's worth checking out...
(The review states 2.5 4-8-4, but mine is programed at 2.5 3-8-3)

 

[PliotronX]

I've not seen many modules with this flexibility. IMHO, BH5 may be dethroned.

Don't be so quick to declare such things The beauty of Winbond BH-5 and to a lesser extent BH-6/CH-5, is that they can take extremely high voltage and perform with 2-2-2-5 at the 250 dance or more. We see Samsung's new ICC's doing 250 at 2.7v, but at 2.5-3-3-6 and they do not respond well to more VDimm (max of 2.9v IIRC). Micron's ICC's in the OCZ EB series and now the Ballistix vary quite widely, nowhere near the consistency of Winbond chips. There will never be a BH-5 again by the looks of it, but the replacements are decent. I just hope there will be a DDR-2 chip that'll be as legendary (R.I.P. Winbond memory sector ).

 

[Hauk]

Can't a guy put away his pains??

I sold a 512MB stick of Corsair PC3500 w/BH5 chips a few months ago, not knowing what I had given up.
When my replacement gig of Corsair XMS PC3200 didn't do tight timings, I researched the memory I sold; it was then I learned about BH5. Needless to say, I'm trying to forget about BH5, like my ex girlfriend...