Introduction
High quality RAM is a must in any PC; it offers stability at high speeds, and often incredible gains in performance when overclocked. With dual memory controllers becoming all the rage, requiring two identical sticks of RAM for best results, the problem of finding high quality RAM is increased. We already know that OCZ's EL-DDR is superb RAM, but can their new Dual Channel Series match it for performance and stability at very high overclocks?
OCZ's new Dual Channel Series EL-DDR is essentially the same as their original EL-DDR, but with minor SPD (Serial Presence Detect) adjustments to allow better operation in Dual Channel systems. You may ask, why can't I just buy two sticks of the same kind of RAM? Well, there may be very slight differences in the SPDs, or slight differences in the PCB design, chip design and so on, leading to either inferior performance, or poor overclockability. This is where Dual Channel Series EL-DDR steps in. By testing the two sticks in a Dual Channel motherboard, OCZ can guarantee that the sticks of RAM are well matched and will perform up to spec in a Dual Channel system!
OCZ's packaging hasn't changed much for the new Dual Channel Series RAM, infact, it's just two normal packages stuck back to back, bound with a label stating "Lifetime Warranty" - a nice touch!
The RAM itself also looks indistinguishable from normal EL-DDR, with only a tiny "Dual CH EL DDR" Sticker on the heatspreader of each stick. Of course, why change an already very good design? One of the things I love about OCZ's RAM is that because of their use of copper for the heatspreaders, the sticks weigh much more than normal RAM, giving them the feel of a very high quality product.
EL-DDR is based upon Ultra Low Noise technology, and uses OCZ's own EL (Enhanced Latency) chips, rated at 4.5ns, showing that this PC3500 is not just another overclocked PC3200 stick. The RAM is also rated for CAS (Column Access Select) 2 operation at DDR434, but as you'll see in a few moments, this RAM can often go a lot further!
As this is very high quality RAM, and has undergone a lot of hand testing to make sure that it's capable of doing what it's meant to do, it attracts quite a price premium. In this case, the 1024Mb kit that I am reviewing here is available from Chillblast for £276 + VAT, but as with many things in life, you get what you pay for!
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