Mushkin XP2-8500 DDR2 PC8500 Memory Review

Mushkin is a well known leader in providing high quality memory modules to computer enthusiasts.  They offer modules that are the best in stability and overclockability.  The company offers mainly desktop memory, notebook memory, and power supplies.  Today, we look at the Mushkin XP2-8500, which is a DDR 2 module, offering a default speed of DDRII-1066 MHz / PC8500. This model comes in a 2GB kit, where there are two 1GB modules.  A 4GB kit is also offered.

Here are some of the main features and specifications from Mushkin's website:

The Memory Modules:

The two memory modules feature black heat spreaders, with the Mushkin logo on the side. Mushkin calls this their "Advanced Frostbyte Heatsink", possibly because of the noticeable ridges on the top of each module.  Under each heat sink is a set of "Micron D9" chips, famous for their overclockability.

The bottom memory module shows what is on the other side.  It is also professional looking matte black heat spreader.

Installation:

I installed these two memory modules on a nForce 680i LT motherboard.  They fit well and do not obstruct wires, heat sinks, etc.  Note that they are oriented in a dual channel setup. 

Testing:

For these memory modules, the test system consists of the following:

-Antec Nine Hundred Case

-Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Dual Core Processor @ 3.0 GHz

-ZeroTherm BTF90 Heatsink

-eVGA nForce 680i LT SLi Motherboard

-2GB (1GB x 2) of Mushkin XP2-8500 DDRII-1066 Memory

-320GB x 4 Western Digital 16MB Cache Hard Drives

-2x nVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS Video Cards @ 625MHz Core / 1000 MHz Memory

-Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Digital Sound Card

-Sony 16x DVD-RAM / 18x Samsung DVD-RAM Drives

-4x 120MM fans, 1x 200mm fan

-2x CCFL Lights

*For additional / larger pictures of the Mushkin XP2-8500, Click Here

The following graphs will show both the highest overclocked speeds and the stock speeds.  I was able to overclock this memory to a maximum of 1120 MHz with timings of 5-5-5-18 and a voltage of 2.3v.

-SuperPi XS 1.5 Mod was tested using 1 Million places setting.

The results are excellent for this memory.  I found it to be quite overclockable with the right timings and voltage. At stock, the system was noticeably speedier than the DDR2-800 memory that it had in it before.  Overclocking this memory made it even speedier, with a maximum achievable speed of 1120MHz (DDR).  The stock timings were 5-5-4-12 @ 2.2 volts, while the overclocked timings were 5-5-5-18 @ 2.3 volts. It can be seen that these overclocked settings increase the latency slightly.  Overall, the Mushkin XP2-8500 memory modules are an excellent choice for PC enthusiasts.  It can be found for around ~$180 on online shops.

Pros +

-Excellent overclockability

-Frostbyte memory heat spreaders

-Fast

-Great value

Cons -

-None

Techaddicts.net would like to give the Mushkin XP2-8500 2GB Kit the Techaddicts 'Recommended Product' Award.

Home