PCWizKid has been using Kingston's HyperX DDR2 1066Mhz memory in the test system used recently.  For the past few months there have been various system configuration using AMD Phenom CPU's on the Asus M3A78-T motherboard.  Today We look into tweaking your DDR2 memory, specifically Kingston's HyperX Performance memory for your gaming rig.

One important aspect of overclocking or tweaking hardware is to always inform yourself of the limitations of the hardware you are trying to push further and get more out of.  When it comes to DRAM timings and voltages there is no exception, know your limit, stay within it.  PCWizKid will take the defaults and recommended values from Kingston and test the differences within the range of recommended values.  We will then compare results to see if by changing the memory timings, voltages and also setting up the memory kit to work in ganged vs unganged mode makes a difference.

Watch the detailed video review of the Kingston HyperX kit KHX8500D2K4/4G

Features and Specifications

Kingston's KHX8500D2K4/4G is a kit of four 128M x 64-bit 1GB (1024MB) DDR2-1066 CL5
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) memory modules, based on sixteen 64M x 8-bit DDR2 FBGA
components per module. Total kit capacity is 4GB (4096MB). Each module kit has been tested to
run at DDR2- 1066MHz at a latency timing of 5-5-5-15 at 2.2V. The SPD is programmed to JEDEC
standard latency 800Mhz timing of 5-5-5-18 at 1.8V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers
and requires +1.8V.

Power supply : Vdd: 1.8V ± 0.1V, Vddq: 1.8V ± 0.1V
Double-data-rate architecture; two data transfers per clock cycle
Bidirectional data strobe(DQS)
Differential clock inputs(CK and CK)
DLL aligns DQ and DQS transition with CK transition
Programmable Read latency 5 (clock)
Burst Length: 4, 8 (Interleave/nibble sequential)
Programmable Burst type (sequential & interleave)
Timing Reference: 5-5-5-18 at +1.8V / 5-5-5-15 at +2.2V
Edge aligned data output, center aligned data input
Auto & Self refresh, 7.8us refresh interval (8K/64ms refresh)
Serial presence detect with EEPROM
High Performance Heat Spreader
PCB : Height 1.180” (30.00mm), single sided component

Clock Cycle Time (tCK) CL=5 2.5ns (min.) / 8ns (max.)
Row Cycle Time (tRC) 51.5ns (min.)
Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFC) 105ns
Row Active Time (tRAS) 39ns (min.) / 70,000ns (max.)
Single Power Supply of +1.8V (+/- .1V)
Power 2.025 W (operating per module)
UL Rating 94 V - 0
Operating Temperature 0o C to 55o C
Storage Temperature -55o C to +125o C

Conclusions

When it it comes to PC enthusiasts and hard core gamers that are looking to get the most performance out of their PC, Kingston delivers a quality product.  Not only is the HyperX Blue module appealing to the eye, the tweaking results and benchmarks proved to have an increase in performance at no additional cost.  Though ganged and unganged benchmarking results were marginal, the overall performance gain from setting the memory timing to 5-5-5-15 @ 2.2v proved worthwhile.  Not only a few more frames per second but a boost in load times is always welcome for anyone.