Packaging
As always, Mushkin packs its modules in an "airbag" placed inside a box. Tested and proven by the company for so many years, they have continued with this type of packaging. Once deflated, you will find the modules shrink wrapped by an anti-static wrap. Note that your local distributor might have repacked it differently.
The Modules
Mushkin's PC4000 modules are built on a custom six layer black PCB using what Mushkin claims are the highest quality 4ns hand-tested discrete chips available in the memory industry. Through fine-tuning of the resistor network on the PCB, Mushkin says the modules achieve extremely high speeds -- beyond 500 MHz -- while maintaining stable operation. Hand-picked and manually tested components means more work for Mushkin (hence the premium price) but this is necessary to ensure the greatest possible compatibility and reliability, the company says.
Apart from looking, errm, cool, the custom-designed Black Aluminum Heat Spreader reduces the risk of localised hot spots within the memory core and further increases overclocking margins of the modules, according to Mushkin. The black colour looks perfect with our motherboard that has a black PCB.
Mushkin uses Revision B 4ns Hynix memory chips in their PC-4000 Dual Pack. Apparently these chips not only performs well at DDR-500 but is able to run at low latencies as well, provided you step down to DDR-400. Most DDR500 modules that we have seen sacrifice low latency, even at lower clock speeds. Can the Mushkin modules deliver both low latencies and high clock frequencies? Let's put them through the wringer to find out.
Test Setup
| Hardware |
| Chaintech 9CJS Zenith P4 i875P Canterwood |
| Intel P4 2.4C 800mhz SL6WF Malaysia |
| Chaintech FX71 5600Ultra 128mb |
| Corsair TWINX XMS4000 DDR500 1Gb Kit |
| Software |
| Windows XP Professional SP1 |
| Detonator 45.23 |
| Direct X 9.0a |
| Benchmark |
| SiSoft Sandra Pro 2004 from Sisoft |
| 3DMark 2001 SE Build 330 |
| Quake 3 |
| Cpu-Z v1.20 |
| Memtest86 |