OCZ 4GB DDR2 PC2-6400 VP Platinum Dual Channel
Performance Analysis and Conclusion
Performance Summary and General Impressions: Looking back at the performance of the OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum 4GB Dual Channel memory kit, we were impressed with the product's stability and performance. However, there is little argument, from a benchmark perspective, for investing in 4GB over 2GB. Yes, in SANDRA the larger kit offered somewhat more bandwidth in the test, but this was not evident in the other tests we performed. Latency was low, but we saw no advantages in PCMark05 or our gaming tests to strongly urge anyone to go for 4GB of memory. Then again, while benchmarks are a method for gauging performance of a particular piece of hardware, they are not the only method. This is why it is necessary to spend some time with a product, using it in everyday tasks to see how it performs and that's exactly what we did with the OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum 4GB Dual Channel modules.
To help get a sense for how 4GB affects everyday usage, I spent close to a month running these modules in my personal machine. After a month had past, while our benchmark testing did not show much benefit of running 4GB over 2GB, we'd have to argue that there really is a plus. For example, F.E.A.R. did not show any measurable gains in FPS at 1024x768, yet we did spend some time with the game using both 2GB and 4GB modules under WIndows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit and the game was definitely smoother with the 4GB kit. This was even more evident in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., where load times definitely improved and the game play was smoother with all settings at their maximum. The benefits of 4GB are clear if you actually spend some time in front of a system equipped with that much memory. This is especially true when running Vista, as the OS is designed to use every bit of memory you have to offer, and also true if you're a multitasker who tends to run multiple memory-hungry applications.
As we bring this article to a close, we'd have to say our experience with the OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum 4GB Dual Channel memory kit was a good one. These modules performed well in our overclocking segment and performance in our benchmarking sections was competitive. We were pleased with the overall performance, and as we stated earlier, it's definitely worth getting 4GB even if the benchmarks don't necessarily paint a clear picture. The benefits will be most evident in Vista. Surely those doing new builds might want to plan on DDR3 since that is the next generation of memory. But for those upgrading existing systems, especially those running Vista, these modules can improve the overall performance of the system, making for a smooth experience in general system performance as well as games with high demands on system resources.
The OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum 4GB Dual Channel memory modules come at a price, weighing in around $272 for the 4GB package and as low as $110 for the 2GB version. Either way, we think both products will impress and with a lifetime warranty, it's hard to go wrong.
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