Testing:
The test system listed in the "Configuration" section was used for the execution of four benchmarks used to gauge the performance of six different memory configurations. The benchmarks executed include tests from these packages:
» Lavalys Everest Ultimate Edition 4.20
» PassMark Performance Test v6.1 Memory
» FutureMark PCMark Vantage
» FutureMark 3DMark06
The six memory configurations include the following:
» Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-9600 DDR2 at 1280MHz, 5-5-5-16, 2.3V
» Kingston HyperX 2GB PC2-9200 DDR2 at 1240MHz, 5-5-5-15, 2.2V
» Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-9600 DDR2 at 1200MHz, 5-5-5-15, 2.3V
» Kingston HyperX 2GB PC2-9200 DDR2 at 1066MHz, 5-5-5-15, 2.0V
» Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-9600 DDR2 at 1066MHz, 5-5-5-15, 2.0V
» Aeneon XTune 1GB PC2-8500 DDR2 at 1066MHz, 5-5-5-15, 2.0V
These configurations represent the PC2-9200 Kingston HyperX kit running at the JEDEC standard speed of 1066MHz, as well as at its maximum speed of 1240MHz. The kit was not tested at 1150MHz, as I couldn't get it exactly to that speed, but just in the ballpark. For comparison purposes, two other high speed DDR2 kits were also tested. A 1GB PC2-9600 Kingston HyperX kit was run at an overclocked speed of 1280MHz, at its default speed of 1200MHz, and at 1066MHz. Another 1GB kit, consisting of Aeneon XTUNE DDR2-1066 modules reviewed here, was also run at 1066MHz.
Lavalys Everest Ultimate Edition 4.20 was the first test to evaluate. This memory specific set of tests gauge performance in terms of read speed (in MB/s), write speed (in MB/s), copy speed (in MB/s), and latency (in ns). Higher values are better for everything but latency.
The data shows that at 1066MHz all of the kits perform about the same, despite the different capacities. When ramped up to the maximum speeds, the 1GB PC2-9600 HyperX kit may run faster, but the benchmark results have the 2GB PC2-9200 kit putting up nearly identical numbers. With the rock bottom prices of 2GB DDR2 kits, there aren't many good reasons to buy a 1GB kit. And with test results so similar, despite running 40MHz slower, the 2GB kit becomes that much more attractive.
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