The Modules
The Mushkin 2GB HP3200 2-3-2 Dual Pack arrived to us packed in a box with each module secured in a seperate plastic enclosure. Usually we receive them in Mushkin's trademark "airbag" but this time it wasn't the case. Inside you'll find a Mushkin cutout label complete with specifications and installation instructions at the back.
These modules awere built with sixteen 64M x 8 bit DDR chips in a dual bank, double sided configuration mounted on a six layer PCB. Unlike their trademark black PCBs, the 2Gb HP3200 uses traditional green PCBs. From the looks of the PCB, they are using Brainpower 808 PCBs. These have been known to produce better results when it comes to overclocking. Note that the website spec says it uses Black PCB but Mushkin confirms that this is an error.
This dual pack is designed for use on a dual ddr platform running a 200Mhz (DDR400) memory bus. SPD is programmed at a very agressive 2-3-2-6 latency values and tested at 2.6v - 2.8v. The modules has been tested and certified for use on various chipsets at its rated spec before they are packed. Therefore, you are sure that these modules will definitely work as advertised.
The HP3200 modules uses Infineon memory chips. Exact part number is Infineon HYB25D512800BE-5 ICs. These chips are rated at DDR400 CL 3-3-3. Mushkin somehow managed to squeeze CL 2-3-2 out of these modules. As for its overclocking potential, the 5ns rating offers no headroom really. But of course, we have to find out ourselves.
The custom-designed aluminum Heatspreader reduces the risk of localised hot spots within the memory core and further increases overclocking margins of the modules, according to Mushkin. Note though that heatspreader color may vary and that tampering with them VOIDS warranty. Our particular sample has the blue heatspreader.
Test Setup
| Hardware |
| ABIT Fatal1ty AN8 nForce4 Ultra Motherboard supplied by Iway |
| Corsair TwinXP1024-3200XL XPERT Memory supplied by Corsair for comparison |
| AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Socket 939 Venice Core |
| Sapphire RADEON X800XT - 256MB VIVO PCI-E supplied by PCAlpha |
| Western Digital 120Gb 7200 rpm |
| Enermax 550w PSU 20-pin |
| Software |
| Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| ATI Catalyst 5.5 |
| Direct X 9.0c |
| Benchmark |
| SiSoft Sandra 2005 |
| Comanche 4 (1024x768, No Sound) |
| UT2K3 |
| 3DMark 2001SE Build 330 |
| Quake 3 (Fastest) |
| Doom 3 (1024x768 HQ) |
| Photoshop V2 Benchmark by DriverHeaven |
Next: Test Methodology and Results