Introduction
First of all I would like to thank Compustocx GmbH, specially Paul and Heinrich for supplying memory modules and making this review possible. Compustocx is well known in Apple memory market, but unknown for most computer enthusiasts out there. CSX is slowly entering overclocker market with mainstream market based CEC kits and enthusiast market based Diablo kits. I had opportunity to test four CSX kits and two value modules. Lets move on.
The Memory and packaging
CSX is using simple plastic packaging for all Diablo and CEC modules. For OEM memory modules they use either antistatic bag or OEM packaging for handling large quantity of memory modules. Every CEC and Diablo kits have installation guide with picture of actual product, product code, and rated maximum speed. Unfortunately there is no information about timings, PCB layers, chips used in memory or voltage required for rated frequency. Yes, you heard it right, there is no information about timings or even CAS latency for Diablo or CEC kits. The good news is that you can find CAS latency value on CSX memory without heatspreaders. To be honest I would never bother to read something on fancy schmancy sticker or packaging because before purchasing any computer hardware I either have experience with this hardware or I have spend few nights reading forums and reviews. The worst part is that you will find very few reviews about CSX memory and even none for some kits that I have reviewed thats why only information for this memory you will find on their website.
Test system
Had hard time choosing test motherboard from P5K Deluxe, Striker extreme, P5K Vanilla, P5B Plus, Crosshair-M2 or M2N-SLI Deluxe. Finally decided to go with P5K Deluxe due to mainstream P35 chipset and short testing on other motherboards haven’t added any major gain. For CPU I have used BOX heatsink and memory was cooled by one 70mm Delta fan from stock AMD heatsink. Voltage measurements was done with Mastech M9803R bench multimeter at load. All subtimings were set to AUTO with 800FSB strap for all tests. Motherboard was not modified.
Code:CPU: Intel Core2Duo E4400 Q718A103 Motherboard: ASUS P5K Deluxe/WiFi-AP Rev. 1.00G BIOS 0705BETA PSU: Silverstone SST-ST60F GPU: ASUS 7200GS HDD: Western Digital WD4000KS Ambient temperature: ~22C
BIOS settings [for all tests]
Code:C1E Support [Disabled] CPU Ratio Setting [10x] FSB Strap to North Bridge [200Mhz] FSB Frequency [Specified by testing] PCIE Frequency [101Mhz] DRAM Frequency [Specified by testing] DRAM Command rate [2T] CAS Latency [Specified by testing] RAS to CAS Delay [Specified by testing] RAS PRE Time [Specified by testing] RAS ACT Time [Specified by testing] RAS to RAS Delay [Auto] REF Cycle Time [Auto] WRITE Recovery Time [Auto] WRITE to READ Delay [Auto] Read to PRE Time [Auto] DRAM Static Read Control [Auto] Transaction Booster [Auto] CPU Voltage [1.475v] CPU PLL Voltage [1.6v] FSB Termination Voltage [1.3v] DRAM Voltage [Specified by testing] NB Voltage [1.4v] SB Voltage [Auto] Clock Over-Charging Voltage [Auto] Load-Line Calibration [Enabled] CPU GTL Voltage Reference [Auto] NB GTL Voltage Reference [Auto] CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto] PCIE Spread Spectrum [Auto] Memory Remap [Enabled]
Used software, benchmarks and test methodology
Maximum stable memory frequency was detected by running Memtest86 #5 test for 10 loops. This way i found maximum frequency at given voltage and timings and after that booted into Windows and ran dual SuperPi 32M. After SuperPi was completed, I also ran Everest bandwidth tests. This way of testing is very close to everyday usage stability and should be stable in most cases depending of temperature and cooling of memory modules. All tests are done on Windows XP with SP2 and last available drivers. I haven’t used any tweaks or optimizations. All memory was tested with warranty allowed voltage values in BIOS. Actual voltage may vary due to motherboard Vdimm circuit specification.
CSX Diablo DDRII 1200Mhz 1GBx2 kit
Specifications
As I told before this is fastest available CSX memory kit and it is built for enthusiast market specially designed for overclockers and gamers. This memory kit have specially designed heatsink for cooling D9GMH chips at high voltages and to catch some attention at lanparties. All CSX Diablo DDRII 1200Mhz modules have well known Micron D9GMH chips on 8 layer BrainPower PCB to handle high voltage while overclocking. During tests with 2.4Vdimm modules was cold to touch. Therefore i would reccomend to use fan over rmemory using more than 2.2Vdimm. CSX have used thin thermal tape for contact between heatsink and memory chips that ensure good thermal transfer. Enough talking, lets move to actual results of first kit.Code:CSXO-XAC-1200-2GB-KIT capacity: 2048 (2x1024) MB chip type: DDR2 amount pin: 240 pin Jedec Standard Setting: 800MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.8V Max. Speed: 1200 MHz chiporganisation: 64x8 Overclocking Setting 1: 1066MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.9V +/-0.025 Overclocking Setting 2: 1100MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.95V +/-0.025 Overclocking Setting 3: 1200MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 2.4V +/-0.05 heatsink: EXTREME METAL COOLER amount of chips: 16 module organisation: 128mx64 PCB-Layer: 8 Chip manufacturer: MICRON D9GMH CSX SERIE: DIABLO Suggested Retail Price: 130,00 EUR NETTO
3-3-3-8
1.95Vdimm was lowest voltage to work stable at frequencies higher than 333Mhz with 3-3-3-8 timings.
3-3-3-8 : 339Mhz : 1.95v [2.142v]
3-3-3-8 : 348Mhz : 2.00v [2.185v]
3-3-3-8 : 380Mhz : 2.20v [2.335v]
3-3-3-8 : 403Mhz : 2.40v [2.487v]
4-4-4-12
4-4-4-12 : 398Mhz : 1.80v [2.003v]
4-4-4-12 : 449Mhz : 2.00v [2.182v]
4-4-4-12 : 490Mhz : 2.20v [2.333v]
4-4-4-12 : 525Mhz : 2.40v [2.483v]
5-5-5-16
5-5-5-16 : 493Mhz : 1.80v [2.003v]
5-5-5-16 : 553Mhz : 2.00v [2.179v]
5-5-5-16 : 596Mhz : 2.20v [2.329v]
5-5-5-16 : 614Mhz : 2.40v [2.479v]
SPD
As you see, SPD is programmed at standard JEDEC settings and manufactured in 42/07. Actuall sticker on memory notes that memory is manufactured in 43/07. But later you’ll find thats this is for all modules and basically SPD is made in 42/07 while memory in 43/07.
Voltage scaling
As you already noticed, at higher frequencies voltage was little less than at lower frequencies at same BIOS Vdimm value. This is due to relatively weak Vdimm circuit on motherboard and at higher Vdimm with higher frequency drop would be even bigger. I haven’t got Hipro’s Maximizer to solve this problem, but i can show you Diablo voltage scaling graph.
The 700Mhz club
After testing Diablo memory kit I decided to try my luck hunting some 700Mhz suicide shot. I relaxed tRCD and tRP and also subtimings. Voltage was set at 2.4Vdimm in BIOS Found fastest stick and went for some suicide action. Slowly but surely moving it finally restarted at 711Mhz. Voila i said, went for 2nd attempt and grabbed my Sony digicam. Reached screen at 713Mhz and made pictures and validation. Unfortunately CPU-Z validation of 713Mhz was corrupt, and only validation i have is from 707Mhz.
707Mhz CPU-Z Validation
713Mhz CPU-Z screen
CSX CEC DDRII 800Mhz 2GBx2 kit
Specifications
As a matter of fact the market is slowly but surely moving to Vista and therefore Vista 64bit version, 4GB ram is almost defacto for gamers and exacting home users. These modules have standard blue heatspreader without any bling. They are built on 6 layer BrainPower PCB with Samsung 2.5ns(800Mhz) rated chips. I don’t know what chips exactly these have, because I haven’t removed heatspreader, but these might be the new Samsung 80nm chips due to exciting test results you’ll find later. Lets move to results. These sticks were unable to boot at 3-3-3-8 with stock voltage.Code:CSXO-CEC-800-4GB-KIT capacity: 4096 (2x2048) MB chip type: DDR2 amount pin: 240 pin Jedec Standard Setting: 800MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.8V Max. Speed: 800 MHz chiporganisation: 128x8 heatsink: METAL COOLER amount of chips: 16 module organisation: 256mx64 PCB-Layer: 6 Chip manu.: CSX Suggested Retail Price: 159,00 EUR NETTO
4-4-4-12
4-4-4-12 : 376Mhz : 1.80v
5-5-5-16
5-5-5-16 : 505Mhz : 1.80v
SPD
Once again SPD is programmed at JEDEC standard speed and there is nothing surprising to look at.
CSX CEC DDRII 800Mhz 1GBx2 kit
Specifications
This kit is similar to 4GB kit previously tested. These kits are mostly used in OEM computers but also can be used for mainstream overclocker needs. This is cheapest available 2GB DDRII 800Mhz DDR2 memory kit in Latvia and later you’ll find that this is actually one of the fastest too.Code:CSXO-CEC-800-2GB-KIT capacity: 2048 (2x1024) MB chip type: DDR2 amount pin: 240 pin Jedec Standard Setting: 800MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.8V Max. Speed: 800 MHz chiporganisation: 64x8 heatsink: METAL COOLER amount of chips: 16 module organisation: 128mx64 PCB-Layer: 6 Chip manu.: CSX Suggested Retail Price: 54,00 EUR NETTO
4-4-4-12
4-4-4-12 : 436Mhz : 1.80v
5-5-5-16
5-5-5-16 : 525Mhz : 1.80v
SPD
Once again SPD is programmed at JEDEC standard speed and there is nothing surprising to look at.
CSX CEC DDRII 1066Mhz 1GBx2 kit
Specifications
This kit is also similar to two previous tested CEC kits. This kit is designed to run at 1066Mhz frequency at 1.9Vdimm.Code:CSXO-CEC-1066-2GB-KIT capacity: 2048 (2x1024) MB chip type: DDR2 amount pin: 240 pin Jedec Standard Setting: 800MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.8V Max. Speed: 1066 MHz chiporganisation: 64x8 Overclocking Setting 1: 1066MHz / 5-5-5-16 / 1.9V +/-0.025 heatsink: METAL COOLER amount of chips: 16 module organisation: 128mx64 PCB-Layer: 6 Chip manu.: CSX Suggested Retail Price: 89,00 EUR NETTO
4-4-4-12
4-4-4-12 : 443Mhz : 1.80v
4-4-4-12 : 456Mhz : 1.90v
5-5-5-16
5-5-5-16 : 516Mhz : 1.80v
5-5-5-16 : 551Mhz : 1.90v
SPD
This time SPD is way too weird. Probably because it is made in 30/07 and haven’t been updated. First of all DDRII 800Mhz JEDEC setting is CL4 not CL5 as mentioned in JEDEC specifications. Second setting is DDRII 1110Mhz due to fact that there is no hex value for 1.875ns(1066Mhz) and it isn’t possible to make 1066Mhz setting without EPP. CSX should better flash SPD from their Diablo modules or make EPP profiles. But this is another story and I had a conversation with CSX technics about this.
CSX Value DDRII 800Mhz CL5 1GB modules
Specifications
This module is built specifically for OEM market and has nothing to do with overclocking while they can actually squeeze out some more juice. This module is built on 6 layer BrainPower PCB with Samsung 3.0ns(667Mhz) rated chips. CSX does rebadge their chips that’s why all their chips except Diablo and few OEM ones are rebadged.Code:CSXO-D2-LO-800-CL5-1GB capacity: 1024 MB chip type: DDR2 amount pin: 240 pin CL: CL5 speed: 800 MHz speed PC: PC6400 chiporganisation: 64x8 amount of chips: 16 module organisation: 128mx64
4-4-4-12
4-4-4-12 : 349Mhz : 1.80v
5-5-5-16
5-5-5-16 : 426Mhz : 1.80v
SPD
Once again there is nothing surprising to see except relaxed tRCD and tRP timings to boot at stock voltage.
Memory frequency at 1.8Vdimm
I have made graph with all CSX memory kits tested at stock 1.8Vdimm with CL4/CL5 timings. CSX Diablo is only faster than Value sticks in this chart, but throwing some voltage Diablo kit can easily break 600Mhz barrier while no other CSX kit could manage this at any voltage and timing configuration.
Conclusion
CSX Diablo DDRII 1200Mhz 1GBx2 kit
Well, well, well. 8layer PCB, D9GMH, what else can I say. Tempting piece of hardware. For sure I could squeeze more out of this kit by tweaking subtimings that was tight, but this is another story. This memory managed to break 700Mhz barrier, it is cheapest DDRII 1200Mhz memory kit in Latvia and one of the cheapest at all in Europe market. CSX is becoming more and more popular and they give review sample shipment for those who want to test CSX memory or resell them. For recommended retail price of 130EUR you can’t get anything better than this. Only disadvantage is lacking EPP support and no information about overclocking settings on package. I hope that this will be fixed in future.
This memory kit scores 5/5
CSX CEC DDRII 800Mhz 2GBx2 kit
Once again, I can’t say anything bad. This is also cheapest 4GB kit available locally and it can break past 500Mhz stable with stock 1.8Vdimm. I even had hard time to believe that this kit can manage 500+Mhz while my 2GB OCZ PC6400 Reapers could hardly manage to do this with 2.2Vdimm. Not to mention Reapers cost almost twice as much as CEC 2GB kit.
This memory kit scores 5/5
CSX CEC DDRII 800Mhz 1GBx2 kit
This time i was even more surprised. At 1.8Vdimm this kit was faster with CL5 than 1066Mhz CEC kit. I double checked that i haven’t been drunk or installed wrong modules. This kit managed to do stable 525Mhz with 5-5-5-16 at stock 1.8Vdimm without breaking a sweat. Can you get something better for 54EUR suggested retail price? I don’t!
This memory kit scores 5/5
CSX CEC DDRII 1066Mhz 1GBx2 kit
This CEC 1066Mhz kit dissapointed me a little. Not because it was bad, but because 800Mhz kit was performing at the same level with much cheaper price. SPD also should be flashed at JEDEC stock settings or with EPP. Not this and not any other CEC kit couldn’t manage to break 600Mhz barrier at any voltage. These are great for 24/7 overclocks, but for extreme overclocking you should better go with Diablo ones.
This memory kit scores 4/5
CSX Value DDRII 800Mhz CL5 1GB modules
These modules haven’t surprised me from their overclocking potential, but these have been working at my office computer for a month and haven’t had any problems.
This memory scores 4.5/5
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Originally Posted by Pudi
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