[Update 25/11] 2GB of DDR2 for overclocking what to buy

[stephen23]

I wouldn't be suprised if the new ones are also rebadged ballistix. G.Skill released those new PC8500 4-4-4-5 'HK' kits at the same time as crucial released the PC8500 Ballistix... A little too coincidental.

even HK series use GMH or GKX now, and it is even cheaper than 8000HZ in Hong Kong.

Let's wait for the review.

BTW, that means my HZ is identical with the 10th anniversary version ballistix?
as they are both 667 CL 3 on the chips they use.

[nicepun]

I'm looking to see either of the new 8500 modules tested here

I'm trying to sell some ram so I can try either kit, but I'm mainly going for the Crucial.

BTW, that means my HZ is identical with the 10th anniversary version ballistix?
as they are both 667 CL 3 on the chips they use.

No necessarily but pretty dam close, the 10th Anniversary have handpicked ICs so they tend to go a bit further, but not that much.

[stephen23]

Just take them off for better ventilation.

[Roger_D25]

Interesting, I was under the impression that the PC2-8000 Ballistix were binned 2ns and the PC2-6400/PC2-5300 being binned as 3ns but GSkills rebadged Crucials 3ns modules for their PC2-8000? In the big picture is doesn't really matter as the PC2-5300 Ballistix are certainly capable of PC2-8000HZ's speeds (or at least this kit was), lol! I wish that my GSkill PC2-8000HZ's came as rebadged Ballistix isntead of the following,





Don't get me wrong their still decently binned GMH but I just have a thing for the Ballistix PCB's (black just looks better despite having no bearing on performance), lol!

By the way Stephen when did you buy these modules and where did you get them (if you dont' mind me asking)?

[Catalan]

Are all 5300 ballistix micron d9?

[Rone]

Interesting, I was under the impression that the PC2-8000 Ballistix were binned 2ns and the PC2-6400/PC2-5300 being binned as 3ns but GSkills rebadged Crucials 3ns modules for their PC2-8000?

Yes.

- PC2-8000 2.0ns
- PC2-6400 2.5ns
- PC2-5300 3.0ns

Are all 5300 ballistix micron d9?

Yes. In fact, all Ballistix are Micron D9, but remember that 'D9' only means it's Micron DDR2.
It doesn't tell you anything regarding overclockability, unless you know the remaining three letters behind D9, but most will be D9GMH.

[Catalan]

Yes. In fact, all Ballistix are Micron D9, but remember that 'D9' only means it's Micron DDR2.
It doesn't tell you anything regarding overclockability, unless you know the remaining three letters behind D9, but most will be D9GMH.

Just making sure cause I read somewhere that it was only the 512mb sticks that had D9 and I was thinking of ordering 2x1gb(non match) of ballistix 5300.

[stephen23]

Interesting, I was under the impression that the PC2-8000 Ballistix were binned 2ns and the PC2-6400/PC2-5300 being binned as 3ns but GSkills rebadged Crucials 3ns modules for their PC2-8000? In the big picture is doesn't really matter as the PC2-5300 Ballistix are certainly capable of PC2-8000HZ's speeds (or at least this kit was), lol! I wish that my GSkill PC2-8000HZ's came as rebadged Ballistix isntead of the following,





Don't get me wrong their still decently binned GMH but I just have a thing for the Ballistix PCB's (black just looks better despite having no bearing on performance), lol!

By the way Stephen when did you buy these modules and where did you get them (if you dont' mind me asking)?

I got a pair of 6400 just got the same chips you own on the 8000:



around the same manufurturing cycle as your 8000 also, you can tell from the heatspreader.

and also have a pair of 6400 black version:


which use the exactly same GMH chips on your 8000 and my green 6400, except the PCB is balck.

but my first pair was quite impressive, even on GCT only:



and all of my modules are from Hong Kong retail shops

[TeRm]

My ballistix tracer pc2-8500 are marked with -18f too . just got them in the mail.

[nicepun]

My ballistix tracer pc2-8500 are marked with -18f too . just got them in the mail.

Well, what are you wating for? Get to getting....

[Roger_D25]

rOOn,
Thanks for the verification, much apprecaited. In general is using other companies PCB/IC a common practice like in the case above (stephens GSkill 8000HZ's using Crucial's 5300 Ballistixs)? Or is this more of an exception that happens when a company is low on decent IC's, just curious?

stephen,
So you have two (2 x 1GB) kits of GSkills PC2-6400 modules (1x with GCT and 1x kit using GMH) as well as a (2 x 1GB) kit of GSkills PC2-8000HZ's running the PC2-5300 Ballistix IC/PCB right? Man you have alot of memory kicking around! Out of all three kits which one clocks best (if you have had the time to test yet)? I would assume the PC2-8000HZ's running the PC2-5300 Ballistix IC/PCB?

TeRm,
I second that nicepun said, get your butt in gear buddy and show us some results, lol! Plus if your up for it pull the spreaders off and give us some pictures please (we would all be greatful, especially since I'm activly trying to get a kit myself)! Just like rOOn said your IC's are -1.8ns!

nicepun,
So have you gotten any closer to getting your kit of PC2-8500 Ballistix yet? Thankfully newegg has a bunch in stock (or did just 2 days ago) because it might take a week or more for my current modules to sell!

[kemo]

Hey guys ,,, i am back ,,, will be posting soon enough

[zbomb5610]

My ballistix tracer pc2-8500 are marked with -18f too . just got them in the mail.

that is awesome, get us some results, i won't get mine until monday, so i would like to get some joy through your results as if they were my own.

and how are you guys taking off the heat spreaders? is it really easy to do? do you use something to heat up the adhesive and then just pull them off?

[nicepun]

nicepun,
So have you gotten any closer to getting your kit of PC2-8500 Ballistix yet? Thankfully newegg has a bunch in stock (or did just 2 days ago) because it might take a week or more for my current modules to sell!

Sold one set and waiting on a reply for the other set. I'll probably order it this weekend, meaning that I will not get it until next Wedesday.

[stephen23]

My ballistix tracer pc2-8500 are marked with -18f too . just got them in the mail.

wow, how much is it, I usually can see 8000 only, haven't see 8500 b4!

[RealTelstar]

Waiting for tests

[stephen23]

[QUOTE=stephen,So you have two (2 x 1GB) kits of GSkills PC2-6400 modules (1x with GCT and 1x kit using GMH) as well as a (2 x 1GB) kit of GSkills PC2-8000HZ's running the PC2-5300 Ballistix IC/PCB right? Man you have alot of memory kicking around! Out of all three kits which one clocks best (if you have had the time to test yet)? I would assume the PC2-8000HZ's running the PC2-5300 Ballistix IC/PCB? [/QUOTE]

I think those GCT bin higher than both GMH's stick, it clocks higher also in lower clock, those GMHs I can go 530 max only, but the GCt can go up to 580CL4 and 610 CL5.
haven't tried the 8000HZ yet, but you can take a look at coolaler's review:
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD.../DDRII1360.gif
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD.../DDRII1380.gif
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD...I1300_244V.gif
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD...800_1300_1.gif
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD...II800_1360.gif
http://pics.coolaler.com/coolaler/DD...800_1380_1.gif

[zbomb5610]

wow, how much is it, I usually can see 8000 only, haven't see 8500 b4!

under $200

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....0&RSKU=BA23790

[nicepun]

under $200

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....0&RSKU=BA23790

Wow, that's even better than the Newegg deal with the rebate.

[Roger_D25]

Yeah this mwave place has awesome prices on the whole Ballistix lineup but has anyone ever purchased anything from them before and if so what was your experience like? I know many people won't agree with me but I'd rather spend a few extra dollars at a extremely reputable place like newegg than save a few bucks ordering from a place I know nothing about (to many horror stories from doing this)! By the way thanks stephen for letting me know about your modules and also for posting those links. I had my kit not too long ago but overall wasn't very impressed so I returned them for refund, with that said I think there are many others who have had awesome results with the PC2-8000HZ's!

[shimmishim]

Mwave is a very good reseller. I've purchased from them at least 3 times and didn't have a single problem.

[nicepun]

Mwave is a very good reseller. I've purchased from them at least 3 times and didn't have a single problem.

Yes, they are good eTailer. I've been buying from them for over 5 years, although Newegg has gotten most of my business.

[irev210]

i got a bunch of cool tests coming soon

the new gskill 8500HK's (d9gmh/d9gkx)

I just got a new set of ballistix 8500 in today
and, the old and trusted ballistix 8000 to compare!

good times

[nicepun]

i got a bunch of cool tests coming soon

the new gskill 8500HK's (d9gmh/d9gkx)

I just got a new set of ballistix 8500 in today
and, the old and trusted ballistix 8000 to compare!

good times

You are a RAM Whore!!!! LOL Me too...

[zbomb5610]

Mwave is a very good reseller. I've purchased from them at least 3 times and didn't have a single problem.

i agree, just got a box from mwave yesterday, already ordered from them a few times and they are legit. I bought the ballistix 8500 from priceguidenetwork however since i didn't want to pay $15 in tax alone, so pgn had it for $211 shipped to me.

i got a bunch of cool tests coming soon

the new gskill 8500HK's (d9gmh/d9gkx)

I just got a new set of ballistix 8500 in today
and, the old and trusted ballistix 8000 to compare!

good times

shouldn't you be testing them and not playing around on the forums