We know a lot of you are sitting there contemplating the purpose behind using 2400MHz of DDR3 memory in your computer. And, to be honest, we sometimes sit here wondering the same thing while trying to figure out possible applications for such memory. It’s usually only limited by our ability to come up with scenarios that would provide the right kind of test and come up with conclusion that benefit users from gamers to benchmark enthusiasts. Of course there are things such as overclocking that really make such a kit shine. Let’s check out just a few more of the things that the Patriot 2400MHz Sector 5 DDR3 can do for your system.
Features and Specifications
Obviously, half of this memory’s specifications are in the name alone. It’s PC3-19200 and is is capable of running 2400MHz reliably for months on end. What you can’t tell is printed on the modules themselves.
The 2400MHz Sector 5 kit is able to maintain those frequencies using the Extreme Memory Profile, or XMP. The memory timings programmed into the kit’s SPD is 9-11-9-27 at an impressive 1.65 volts. If this were the previous generation DDR3, it would probably need something in the neighborhood of 2.5 volts to be stable at such settings. Thank goodness for memory innovation.
Underneath the spreaders are rumored to be some of the best binned Elpida ICs that exist. The 1.65 volt modules are essentially the most common JEDEC standard. Soon, we’ll be seeing lower voltage DDR3 requiring a meager 1.25 to 1.5 volts to function much like the new Kingston LoVo Modules that we reviewed recently.
The Patriot Viper II Sector 5 Dual Channel 2400MHz DDR3 Kit is priced at $224.99US with some rebates bringing it down to $174.99US. Lower rated Viper II Sector 5 kits are available for slightly less.
Sector 5 Investigation
Alright, at this point in the review, you may or may not be undergoing a scan that clears your for “Secret” security clearance. We can’t have you looking at such high tech stuff that could possibly transform your computer system in to a computational security risk, now can we?
The Sector 5 DDR3 series memory features black ram sinks with stickers stamped with the Sector 5 moniker. This isn’t very high tech itself, but it keeps the cost down. One of these days, we might see some more customized sinks that would properly “wow” enthusiasts indicating exactly what their hard earned money is buying.
Overclocking enthusiasts should consider their motherboard’s capabilities before choosing this particular kit. In order to unlock the memory divider manually or select a programmed XMP profile, your motherboard should be able to hit a 200MHz CPU Bus Clock and it should support upwards of 2000 to 2200MHz DDR3 memory overclocking out of the box. Most motherboards should proudly display this capability on the retail packaging. If it doesn’t, it probably won’t do it or isn’t a very well supported feature.
Power users not so concerned about the upper most extreme aren’t left out. A great number of Intel based motherboards support 1600 to 1800MHz just fine. That means, these users can manually apply these frequencies and can select better performance timings. In other words, instead of leaving it at 9-11-9-27 timings, you can select 7-7-7-21 or 8-8-8-24 which boosts your performance over a stock 1600MHz 9-9-9-27 kit.
System Setup
To properly experience the full range of performance provided by the Viper II Sector 5 2400MHz memory kit, a very capable motherboard is needed. While we have many capable ASUS and GIGABYTE P55 and H55 motherboards, the GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD6 was selected. While the ASUS Pro and Evo platforms are more than capable, this just happens to be our favourite board of the moment.
Here’s the breakdown of our test system:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield LGA1156 Processor
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD6 Motherboard
- Memory Kit 1: Patriot Memory 4GB 2400MHz Sector 5 DDR3 Memory (as tested)
- Memory Kit 2: Patriot Memory 4GB 2000MHz Sector 5 DDR3 Memory (for comparison)
- Video Card: Zotac Geforce GTX 285 Infinity
- Hard Drive/SSD: Patriot Memory 128GB TorqX SSD
- Case/Enclosure: Antec P183 Enclosure and CP-850 Power Supply
- CPU Cooler: Koolance CPU-360 and Exos 2.5
Our operating system of choice was Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. All drivers and BIOS were updated to the latest available at the time of this review.
Testing Notes
First, we’d like to note that the memory ran perfectly using the kit’s Xtreme Memory Profile (XMP). We also did a little testing with lower frequencies using more optimal memory timings. The kit maintained 1333MHz CAS6, 1600MHz CAS6, 1800MHz CAS7, 2000MHz CAS8, and 2400MHz CAS9 without issue. The kit was almost stable at 2000MHz using 7-8-8-30 timings at stock voltage. You’ll have to add a little more voltage to get it stable though.
Using auto memory settings on this particular test motherboard resulted in configured memory at 10-9-11-30 at 1333MHz. This produced random instabilities. Without any other XMP profiles besides the one which sets it to 2400MHz, you’ll more than likely have to manually apply some timings under CAS10 to satisfy the needs of your motherboard. It’s not the end of the world, just something you should be aware of.
Benchmarks
Memory best supports software that uses large data files. Applications that use such files include Adobe CS4/5, Photoshop, and any other video/photo rendering applications. To give you some visible memory bandwidth results, we’ll start with the synthetic benchmarks which include Sisoft SANDRA and Everest. Then, a very large panoramic graphic rendering will be used to show us some more real world performance. We’ve also included results which show off a low latency configurations for users that may not be able to hit the higher speed, but could gain from tightened timings.
SANDRA Memory Bandwidth
For educational purposes, we included a 1600MHz frequency using CAS 8 and CAS 6 timings so that you can better see the benefits of better timings. Better timings will basically help speed up your system’s processes as well as benefit large data files. What you really get to see is the bandwidth on tap for your processor as the memory scales to its desired XMP profile. A few more points and it might break 27 GB/s. Yes, that’s 27 GIGABYTEs.
Everest Ultimate Edition
As you can see, as the memory scales well up to its god like frequencies. Everest performance seems to increases exponentially. Again, this is one for the Futurelooks record books.
Large Graphics Rendering
If you want to see how quickly your system fills up and utilizes your memory, try downloading a large, high resolution photo or video project and do some manipulations then render it. In this particular case, a 30MB high-res photo was placed on a 48″ by 15.3″ banner. Then, the banner was opened with MS Publisher.
As you can see here, it takes the powerful Intel Core i7-870 processor some time to render the large photo depending on the memory frequencies. Each incremental frequency step knocks off a little bit of time. Suffice it to say, the extra bandwidth gained at each step helped out and if this were a full time production house, hours could be saved on client projects.
Overclocking the Overclocking Memory!
Sure, this might sound bizarre, but we’re already overclocking the system into extreme territory. So, we decided to see where this kit reaches its maximum frequency trying to maintain 9-11-9-27 memory timings.
SANDRA Bandwidth
Everest Ultimate Memory
Just when you thought there wasn’t anything left under the hood, the maximum overclock we could achieve with stock timings was 2520MHz requiring 1.69V to maintain stability. The ASUS EVO back up system actually ran the memory at 1.685V which shows that there is a little variance between platforms as expected.
Final Thoughts
So do you need a 2400MHz dual channel DDR3 memory kit? If you’re a hardcore gamer, extreme system enthusiast, or pro user, then yes. But, the folks that buy this stuff up will want every ounce of performance and then some.
There’s more to the memory than just fanatical speed. Any avid power user or professional can also expect perfect performance using lower frequencies with much tighter memory timings than you can get from lower speed stock kits. All you have to do is play with the BIOS settings to get what you want. With this much scalability, the chance of success is all but guaranteed. However, we do recognize that not everyone wants to tweak their system or play around with the BIOS so its appeal is fairly limited to a niche market of enthusiasts or power users.
Ultimately, the 4GB 2400MHz Sector 5 DDR3 is engineered with the industry’s best ICs and that can lead to extreme reliability as well. For a respectable $229.99 US price for the kit, it’s quite possible they’ll help set some crazy performance records. Or, if this stuff isn’t fast enough, you can pick up the fully guaranteed 2500MHz kit for around $339.99 US which is the world’s fastest DDR3 memory available. The bottom line is enthusiasts won’t be disappointed as this is truly a high performance product.
Pros:
- Best bang for buck extreme 2400MHz DDR3 memory
- Scales easily based on what you need
- XMP profile is accurately programmed
- Premium grade memory modules
Cons:
- Requires a performance level motherboard
- (But, shouldn’t you always buy one?)
- Only one XMP profile
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10.0
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Patriot Memory’s Viper II Sector5 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 2400MHz Memory Kit – Photo Gallery
