More Testing:

Using 2.4 volts throughout testing offered a few extra Mega hertz at stock timings topping out at 840MHz at which point Windows just couldn't function. At the top end, the memory was perfectly stable at 1250MHz. There have been some words of caution from various vendors about prolonged 2.4 and higher voltage use. I doubt 2.4 volts is that much of a risk where as higher voltage will be exploited by the benchmark fiends.

1230MHz @ 2.3 Volts

1250MHz @ 2.4 Volts

How does better timings influence 3D performance? Even thought it's a bit out dated, Aquamark 3 was used to show the benefits of lower memory timings. One thing that is even more interesting is that those users who have a system capable of overclocking their processor independently from the memory, the margins continued to grow between each timing. At 3.4GHz, the difference just about doubled. You really have to appreciate lower timings.

3DMark is still one of the all time best benchmark indicators for what to expect when pairing up a motherboard, graphics card, and/or memory. For good measure, three of today's more graphic intensive games were used to further reveal what to expect when you tap in to the memory's hidden potential. Games were tested on 1680x1050 with High Settings.

The memory simply flies under its default 3-4-3-8 memory timings. CAS Latency 3 repeatedly showed a good 200MB/s gain under the bandwidth tests and greatly benefited the processor's overall SANDRA CPU performance tests as well. The memory compliments the 1333FSB processors nicely.

This also in turn gave extra performance to the 3D benchmarks. That extra bandwidth carries data more efficiently and quickly which allows the processor to do more. 3DMark05 scored a 16082 at stock timings and 16010 with the more common 4-4-4-12 timings found in many a performance kits.

So, Very Deadly!!

This kind of performance changed my previous perception as to what memory ICs were used to build the Viper PC2-6400XLK. It's definitely NOT Elpida and is designed around some top end Micron ICs. There haven't been any other modules capable of these frequencies to cross this test bench that weren't Microns for quite some time. And those that came close required more than a mere 2.3 volts for optimal performance.

The memory may possibly offer up a little more performance beyond 1250MHz. It will probably require a better tuned board with the right BIOS configuration and a user willing to except the risks. As an end user and ultimately a regular consumer, I'm completely content with what I've seen from the Viper kit. Extreme users will definitely want to use a quality motherboard to give these modules their fangs for killing the competition.

Conclusion:

Venomous Power!

It's not uncommon to get a memory kit that scales or overclocks pretty well, especially if the ICs used to build them are of good quality. Patriot has been known to do just this in the past which turned out to be a real treat for overclockers and power users alike.

The Viper PC2-6400XLK 2GB Dual Channel Memory kit is their latest to return to that kind of product line. The memory was excellent throughout the tests and remained stable when the right settings were applied. The memory was detected correctly on both the 680i and P35 platforms, but required a manual adjustment on the 590-SLI system. The important thing is stability and compatibility which should not be a problem unless a motherboard has a BIOS or unseen issue.

In the end, the Patriot Viper PC2-6400XLK memory is built upon champion ICs. The memory's stock 800MHz is going to be plenty fast with the stock timings for the regular user. However, the more extreme power user is definitely going to enjoy the memory's ability to top 1200MHz! This is in the PC2-9600 range with just a little extra above that depending on the motherboard.

It may look like regular 800MHz memory on paper, but there's absolutely nothing regular about the memory kit. If you want exemplary stock performance, you got it! If you want fanatical performance, you got it! The Viper PC2-6400XLK memory is the most aggressively tuned 800MHz memory kit that really does offer the best performance over the entire spectrum. It has earned itself the Editor's Choice and Gamer's awards.

Got News? Send 'em in!