OCZ Flex XLC: PC2-9200 Pushes the Envelope
by Wesley Fink on December 8, 2006 8:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Memory
OCZ PC2-9200 Flex XLC Specifications
OCZ is a well-known supplier of enthusiast parts. While they are best known for their memory targeted at the enthusiast, OCZ also provides an extensive line of power supplies and CPU coolers, along with more value oriented memory. As recently seen in Taiwan, OCZ also plans to introduce custom water-cooling parts in 2007. With that in mind, the OCZ introduction of water-cooling ready enthusiast memory appears to fit the total picture.
OCZ tells us that then new Flex XLC memory is not designed just for water-cooling. In fact, with air-cooling alone Flex XLC can reach most of its potential. It is designed to be the fastest memory available from OCZ whether run on air or water. One thing that is clear is that Flex XLC does not look like other high-end DDR2 memory.
Quoting from OCZ literature the "Flex" in Flex XLC represents the "...innovative 'flexible' design, which gives enthusiasts the option to run these modules passively or water-cooled via the integrated liquid injection system for maximum heat dissipation."
The fin assembly was designed for very effective air cooling. When water is used even better cooling is possible. The hybrid copper and aluminum water channel and fin design is designed to cool effectively whether air or water is used for cooling. As the diagram indicates, water-cooling is optional.
The Flex XLC DIMMs come ready for water hookup. The 3/8" entrance/exit nipples are an integral part of the cooling block and a standard design for water hoses. The flat top design of the heatsink/fins also makes it a "flat" surface for placing a large cooling fan over a pair or even four of these DIMMs. The Flex XLC dimms are thin enough that they can be fitted in side-by-side memory slots. We tried them on several boards and four dimms should fit just fine if you want to add even more memory. OCZ builds the new memory with specially binned Micron D memory chips mounted on an 8-layer PCB. The special binning, ultra low noise PCB, and hybrid heatsink design all contribute to overclocking capabilities.
Flex XLC is currently only supplied as a 2GB kit (2x1GB) rated at PC2-9200 (DDR2-1150). This is the highest memory speed rating for DDR2 that we have ever tested. While Flex XLC is rated for 2.35V it is covered by the OCZ Extended Voltage Protection (EVP). This extension to the warranty provides a lifetime warranty against failure as long as the memory is operated at 2.52V or below.
While the form factor is new, it is worth repeating that OCZ is using specially binned Micron D memory chips in Flex XLC. That means the leading performance we routinely see with Micron memory chips should also be found in Flex XLC performance - along with the additional overclocking headroom designed into the product with aggressive binning and a hybrid cooling design.
OCZ is a well-known supplier of enthusiast parts. While they are best known for their memory targeted at the enthusiast, OCZ also provides an extensive line of power supplies and CPU coolers, along with more value oriented memory. As recently seen in Taiwan, OCZ also plans to introduce custom water-cooling parts in 2007. With that in mind, the OCZ introduction of water-cooling ready enthusiast memory appears to fit the total picture.
OCZ tells us that then new Flex XLC memory is not designed just for water-cooling. In fact, with air-cooling alone Flex XLC can reach most of its potential. It is designed to be the fastest memory available from OCZ whether run on air or water. One thing that is clear is that Flex XLC does not look like other high-end DDR2 memory.
Quoting from OCZ literature the "Flex" in Flex XLC represents the "...innovative 'flexible' design, which gives enthusiasts the option to run these modules passively or water-cooled via the integrated liquid injection system for maximum heat dissipation."
The fin assembly was designed for very effective air cooling. When water is used even better cooling is possible. The hybrid copper and aluminum water channel and fin design is designed to cool effectively whether air or water is used for cooling. As the diagram indicates, water-cooling is optional.
The Flex XLC DIMMs come ready for water hookup. The 3/8" entrance/exit nipples are an integral part of the cooling block and a standard design for water hoses. The flat top design of the heatsink/fins also makes it a "flat" surface for placing a large cooling fan over a pair or even four of these DIMMs. The Flex XLC dimms are thin enough that they can be fitted in side-by-side memory slots. We tried them on several boards and four dimms should fit just fine if you want to add even more memory. OCZ builds the new memory with specially binned Micron D memory chips mounted on an 8-layer PCB. The special binning, ultra low noise PCB, and hybrid heatsink design all contribute to overclocking capabilities.
| OCZ PC2-9200 Flex XLC Memory Specifications | |
| Number of DIMMs & Banks | 2 DS |
| DIMM Size | 1GB |
| Total Memory | 2 GB |
| Rated Timings | 5-5-5-18 at DDR2-1150 |
| Rated Voltage | 2.35V (2.4V +/- 5%) |
Flex XLC is currently only supplied as a 2GB kit (2x1GB) rated at PC2-9200 (DDR2-1150). This is the highest memory speed rating for DDR2 that we have ever tested. While Flex XLC is rated for 2.35V it is covered by the OCZ Extended Voltage Protection (EVP). This extension to the warranty provides a lifetime warranty against failure as long as the memory is operated at 2.52V or below.
While the form factor is new, it is worth repeating that OCZ is using specially binned Micron D memory chips in Flex XLC. That means the leading performance we routinely see with Micron memory chips should also be found in Flex XLC performance - along with the additional overclocking headroom designed into the product with aggressive binning and a hybrid cooling design.
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photoguy99 - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
Thanks for your help Wesley, it's just takes a little time for me to get my head around this stuff.Just to clarify, I think I see the answer two #2:
If you have an unlocked CPU, the only benefit to this memory is a 5-8% performance increase.
In this case I don't think it matters if you are an extreme overclocker - extreme as you wanna be - this is the only benefit you can ever get with this RAM with an unlocked CPU, no matter what you do.
If you have the cash, nothing wrong with a small performance bump for $300 extra - I am not judging anyone who buys this, just trying to clarify.
regards,
pg
photoguy99 - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
apologize for double post, accident...photoguy99 - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
Sorry for being ignorant here, but can someone help break this down:1) What % faster is FlexXLC-1150 on real life benchmarks (on average), compared to value DDR2-800, at the same CPU speed?
2) Do I understand correctly that if you have an unlocked CPU multiplier, then the only benefit to this memory ever is the % improvement from question 1?
Wesley Fink - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
The tables on page 4 show performance at the same 2.93GHz from DDR2-400 to DDR2-1172. There are also results on the last line for the top speed on the 975X at stock 11X multiplier - so results can be compared to previous test results. You can see the performance differences in each benchmark in those tables. Performance increases are there as speed increases, but they are extremely small. We also commented several times in the review that those shopping for value per dollar should buy a good value to mid DDR2 memory rated at least DDR2-800.Flex XLC is for extreme overclockers who want as few limits as possible on their overclcoking. With the ability to run to DDR2-1300 it allows great flexibility in OC settings.
photoguy99 - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
Thanks for your help Wesley, it's just takes a little time for me to get my head around this stuff.Just to clarify, I think I see the answer two #2:
If you have an unlocked CPU, the only benefit to this memory is a 5-8% performance increase.
In this case I don't think it matters if you are an extreme overclocker - extreme as you wanna be - this is the only benefit you can ever get with this RAM with an unlocked CPU, no matter what you do.
If you have the cash, nothing wrong with a small performance bump for $300 extra - I am not judging anyone who buys this, just trying to clarify.
regards,
pg
cmdrdredd - Friday, December 8, 2006 - link
Why is there no 1T memory results testing? The bandwidth scores from this memory even at DDR2-1300 are pathetic to say the least. My Current system with 2Gb crucial DDR2-667 10th anniversary running DDR2-1000 at 5-4-4-8 gets 7607 Int/7631 Float buffered scores with Sandra. This is on a P5B Deluxe with E6400 running 3.2Ghz (400x8)Wesley Fink - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
We try to get memory as close to stock speed and multipliers as possible in our testing, which yields comparable data but not the higher bandwidths you are seeing at extremely high bus speed overclocks. End users can get high numbers with overclocking, which are great for ego comments, but that tell us very little about comparative performance. Run your memory at the same settings and compare bandwidth. Those are numbers that relate to memory comparisons. This memory will run at 8x400 just like you are using and bandwidth will be similar to what you are seeing.The standard bandwidth scores at DDR2-1300 are pretty much in line with expectations, but the unbuffered scores are extremely low. We don't yet have an answer for why that is the case on the 680i but we are trying to find answers. The 680i runs a 2:3 ratio at that speed, where the 975X is running 1:2 at its highest speed. The underlying "strap" can make a huge difference in apparent memory performance and it is usually programmed by the board maker, and not always visible or adjustable to the end user.
1T is useful for a very small performance increase on some boards, generally below DDR2-800. However, that option is not available on all boards and it really makes a small differenc on current DDR2 platforms. The differences you are seeing in bandwidth are the result of high FSB overclocks and not 1T.
Hulk - Friday, December 8, 2006 - link
I for one feel the most important part of a memory review is what timings will it run at each frequency and at what voltage?I realize that info is in the memory reviews but always in a little table that you must click to enlarge.
Please put the timings/speed/voltage in a bar graph as well. Speed on the x-axis. Timings and voltage in the horizontal bar for each speed tested. We know that if the memory works at a certain frequency/latency/voltage the performance will be the same for any stick at those conditions.
Better yet, tell me how fast it will run 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-18, as well as a few other timings.
But as always the reviews are great. Thanks for your hard word.
yyrkoon - Friday, December 8, 2006 - link
I'm curious, if the savvy enthusiast used chilled air in place of water, what the end results would be. I don't think it would be hard to built something that forced cool air through these memory sticks instead of water. i.e. Chilled air in, and hot air vented out.End result should be a cooler safer system overall.
Griswold - Saturday, December 9, 2006 - link
Other than "for shits and giggles" I see no point in doing that. Water will do a better job. Remember, air is such a bad heat conductor, compared to water.A properly installed watercooling system is also very safe.