The benefits of having 2GB of memory over 1GB is now well established, with a number of games like Battlefield 2 and F.E.A.R only delivering a truly smooth experience with that extra gig. The main problem that stops many users from wanting to take the plunge is a reduction in overclockability or softening of memory timings when compared to the best 1GB kits. We recently looked at a number of 2GB memory kits in a group test here, in which Mushkin’s PC4000 2GB kit took away the top honours. The company has now released a 2GB kit with even more performance, namely the Redline XP4000 we are looking at today.
Decked out in extremely stylish red heat spreaders, the Redline memory will certainly turn some heads if being used in a windowed case. Mushkin’s Redline series was originally reserved for its very low latency, very high performance 1GB kits that required heaps of extra voltage. Thankfully this is no longer the case, as you can get the best out of this 2GB kit with just 2.9V or less.
The redline memory features a barcode label that shows the product and rated speed, but not the rated timings which are, for the record, 3-3-2-8 at 250MHz. These timings are extremely aggressive for a PC4000 product, especially one made up of 1GB rather than 512MB sticks.
Underneath the heat spreader you will find Infineon chips mounted on a Mushkin-stamped brainpower PCB – the perfect combination for the ultimate 2GB kit. Whilst Samsung and Winbond are the IC’s of choice for high-performance 1GB kits, Infineon die currently produce the best performing ICs for 2GB kits.
Performance
Without further ado, lets take a look at the performance. Our test rig was the same as the one used in our 2GB kit test, so the results are directly comparable to that review.
Since a good deal of users might want the flexibility of being able to run at tight timings at stock speed, we tested the memory both at its rated 250MHz as well as a 200MHz stock speed. At the latter speed I am pleased to report that it allowed exceptional 2-2-3-5 timings which is right up there with the best low-latency kits out there. From a PC4000 product this is particularly impressive, as before now we were seeing only CAT 2.5 performance from competing products. Cranking the speed up to 250MHz we found that the memory was not only stable at its rated speed of 3-3-2-8, but also at more aggressive 2.5-3-2-6 timings as well. This makes it the most aggressively performing 2GB kit we have tested at OcPrices. Taking the same table from our 2GB round up, you can see that the highest-performing values at a given speed have now been monopolised by the Redline with only the Crucial Ballistix putting up a good fight at lower speeds
Cranking the voltage up to 2.9V allowed us to determine the maximum speed of the memory at the loosest 3-4-4-8 timings. This turned out to be a rather fabulous 280MHz, also making this RAM capable of the highest clock speed we have yet seen as well.
Conclusion
Overall the Mushkin Redline XP4000 2GB kit is an absolute beauty of a product. It totally eclipses other 2GB memory kits we have tested both in tightness of timings and in overall speed. If you are looking for the ultimate 2GB kit that sacrifices nothing in either speed or timings to your existing 1GB setup, look no further. Weighing in at around £250 from good UK retailers, the Mushkin Redline XP4000 is quite expensive compared to some PC3200 2GB kits, but then if you compare the performance that would be like comparing a Ford to a Ferrari. Very highly recommended.
Click for an explanation of our awards.
Pros
- Looks fabulous
- Exceptional performance
- Extremely tight timings at PC3200
- Extremely tight timings at high speed
- No absurd voltages required - No sacrifice of performance for 2GB
Lows
- Rather expensive
Check out our other reviews from the Memory category:
