Test Results: Mushkin Redline XP4000

The top row of Performance results at 2.6V is included as a performance baseline. Like OCZ VX, Mushkin Redline cannot achieve 2-2-2 timings at stock voltage at DDR400. However, it can easily reach 2-2-2 performance levels at DDR400 with more voltage.

Mushkin Redline XP4000 (DDR500) - 2x512Mb Double-Bank
CPU Ratio at 2.4GHz Memory
Speed
Memory Timings
& Voltage
Quake3
fps
Sandra UNBuffered Sandra Standard
Buffered
Super PI 2M places
(time in sec)
Wolfenstein - Radar - Enemy Territory fps
12x200 400 DDR
(Stock Voltage)
2-3-2-6
2.6V 1T
(Stock Voltage)
565.4 INT 2719
FLT 2866
INT 6111
FLT 6056
81 119.9
12x200 400 DDR 2-2-2-6
3.0V 1T
572.5 INT 2745
FLT 2899
INT 6127
FLT 6071
81 119.8
11x218 436 DDR 2-2-2-6
3.1V 1T
578.0 INT 2912
FLT 3079
INT 6512
FLT 6435
80 120.2
10x240 480 DDR 2-2-2-6
3.2V 1T
591.7 INT 3037
FLT 3293
INT 6775
FLT 6700
79 122.7
9x267 533 DDR 2-2-2-6
3.4V 1T
599.1 INT 3308
FLT 3521
INT 7125
FLT 7032
78 124.0
9x272
(2.45GHz)
Highest Mem Speed
538 DDR
2-2-2-6
3.5V 1T
612.3 INT 3410
FLT 3592
INT 7260
FLT 7183
77 127.2
10x272
(2.72GHz)
Highest CPU/Mem Performance 2-2-2-6
3.5V 1T
656.5 INT 3493
FLT 3697
INT 7701
FLT 7605
71 139.0
To be considered stable for test purposes, Quake3 benchmark, UT2003 Demo, Super PI, Aquamark 3, and Comanche 4 had to complete without incident. Any of these, and in particular Super PI, will crash a less-than stable memory configuration.

We reached an extremely stable DDR400 2-2-2-6 at 3.0V with Mushkin Redline XP4000. We then maintained 2-2-2-6 timings all the way to DDR546, which required 3.5V for complete stability. The voltage requirements from 3.0 to 3.6 volts were very linear to Memory Speed. DDR544 is the highest speed that we have ever reached with 2-2-2 timings, but it is only slightly more than the DDR538 2-2-2 achieved in our tests of the OCZ VX. Since both memories use the same memory chips, it appears that Mushkin and OCZ are both doing a similarly excellent job in binning the Winbond chips for their DDR500 2-2-2 products.

The important results here are rows 1 to 6, where CPU speed is kept at 2.4GHZ and only the Memory Speed is varied. The performance differences that you see in that range are a result of Memory Speed only. Since the Mushkin Redline also maintained constant 2-2-2-6 timings across the performance tests, the performance improvements are completely a result of memory speed only. It is not a huge difference in real-world benchmarks, compared to the huge increase in synthetic benchmarks like Sandra, but the increase is real nonetheless.

When you compare results of Mushkin Redline or OCZ VX, you will also see that all 2-2-2 is not created equal. Winbond and the revived BH5 are just a bit faster than other 2-2-2 memory at the same memory speed. Again, the difference is not huge, but where a computer enthusiast is aiming for top competitive scores, every advantage carries weight.

Performance Test Configuration Performance Comparisons
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  • jmke - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    I agree with you completely Zebo; is an increase of 2-5FPS in an already OLD game like Wolfenstein worth $300 (memory + ddr booster/new motherboard)?

    I don't think so
  • Zebo - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    My above comments excludes cyber-athletes participating in cyber olympics. Mainly geared twards average enthusiast at AT.
  • Zebo - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    As usual almost no difference with increased bandwidth:

    At 2400Mhz same timings:
    DDR400 though DDR533 are virtually identical, less than 5% within one another on the largest game, wolf.

    It is'nt until you bump processor speeds (which I never liked this testing method for memory) do the numbers begin to change signifigantly with added bandwidth. Due to bandwitdh? nope, due to running 2.72Ghz A64 instead of 2400Mhz.

    Anyway I think these sticks are a waste of $ for the most part. Primarly due to the fact you must push signifigant volts though them and fan them and maybe destory them if not well learned. Noise and only DFI can provide this voltage eliminates lots of people. One is much better off IMO with low volts TCCD or some crucial 8T running 2-2-2 ~200Mhz at low volts all day without the noise of additional ram cooling.

    thumbs down to extreme modules.
  • cryptonomicon - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    VX/REDLINE/UTT is nice and everything, but I don't get why people will buy it since BH and CH based models are much cheaper and perform very similarly with a bit less voltage, and can also run stock at 2.6v-- which makes them incredibly flexible. best ram ever.
  • bersl2 - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    #5: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid...

    The point of that thread is to show that in *real-world* situations, the measurable effect of 2T over 1T seems to be no more than 3%. Also keep in mind that at 2T, you can OC the RAM higher and tighten your other timings, and thus you can OC well with 4 sticks or more than 1G of RAM.
  • flatblastard - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    Nice review....I couldn't help but notice that in most of the benchies that mattered, hi-po ddr400 2-2-2 was at the top of the charts. Especially OCZ Plat Rev 2 and Crucial Ballistix....kinda makes me wonder if DFI mobo with high voltage ram is just a big waste of time and money.
  • Shinei - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    Which thread? As far as all AT benches have shown, 2T cripples performance on Athlon 64 testbeds...

    Anyway, great review, but I gotta wonder just what we're going to be doing to cool our cases in a few years--active cooling for the RAM, northbridge, CPU, and video card (the latter two of which account for 150+W)... Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to turn on my computer one day, and there'll just be a tiny mushroom cloud where the case used to be?
  • Lonyo - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    Any hopes of some 2T command rate testing/overclocking potential-ing?
    A thread has shown 2T makes very little difference to performance, but may help overclocking a bit, so mabye we could see if this stuff can be pushed even further?
  • JustAnAverageGuy - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    P1: "OCZ st arted it all with their VX series memory."

    P2: Redline is available as DDR433 (PC3500) p arts.

    For these reasons, Mushkin Redline memory was only tested on the DFI LANP arty nF4 SLI-DR Athlon 64 Socket 939 test bed.

    P3: The Mushkin Redline XP4000 was tested with the DFI LANP arty nF4 SLI-DR Athlon 64 Socket 939 motherboard.

    We have found the 6800 Ultra to be a p articularly good performance match to NVIDIA motherboards

    Don't worry though, all those macros are spelling error free ;)
  • classy - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link

    Great performance, but the price is really high. Especially considering the fact the OCZ 3200 Gold is not far behind and is almost $100 cheaper.

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