With AMD moving to DDR2 we finally have the majority of new PC platforms on the same page for memory.  Performance memory manufacturers like Crucial have responded with a dramatic increase in the availability and speed of their high end DDR2 product lines.  Today we will be looking at the current king of the Crucial memory world; the Crucial Ballistix PC2-8000 2 x 1GB kit.  Let's find out if these sticks have a place in your next build.

     Ordering direct from Crucial is a highly satisfying experience.  Simply enter your system or motherboard information and in three steps you are looking at a list of memory guaranteed to work in your system.  If you are not sure what you have, the system scan utility will scan your PC and come back with correct memory information.  The end result is this little brown box with the blue label arriving at your door.  Ours arrived the next day and the shipping was free!

     Our Crucial PC2-8000 arrived individually packaged with a simple users guide and a coupon for iolo's System Mechanic 6 for just $9.95.  A 30 day trial is also available for those who wonder what they may be missing.  The software is a pleasant surprise and a good deal for those who don't already have a PC tune-up software solution in place.  Crucial's limited lifetime warranty is also included and is one of the great reasons to go with Crucial memory.

     Once we get the package open, you can see the Ballistix modules are finished in an attractive gold heatsink.   Crucial also offers the PC2-1000 memory in the popular Tracer series with both an attractive black heatsink and accent lighting.

     Crucial has kept the labeling to a minimum and that really lets the memory shine.  The white label shows the memory is lead free and supports e/EPP.  The only other markings are the model information seen here on the left.

     This new heat sink design is a marked improvement on the design we saw earlier in the year with sticks of 512MB PC2-8000.  The new style really brings out the gold color instead of washing out to the more orange color of the older DDR2.  The new look also brings on the bling factor you want to see when you spend over $550 on some of the best memory money can buy!

Specifications:

• Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
• Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR2 PC2-8000
• Configuration: 128Meg x 64
• DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
• Error Checking: NON-ECC
• Speed: DDR2-1000
• Voltage: 2.2V
• Memory Timings: 5-5-5-15

What is Ballistix memory?

"The Ballistix line is specifically built for performance enthusiasts who want to push the performance envelope without worrying about data loss or corruption, mysterious intermittent errors and display problems, or worse — the dreaded BSOD! The Ballistix line of high-performance memory modules features advanced speed grades, low latencies, and integrated aluminum heat spreaders." -Crucial.com

The Install:

     One of the first things you learn about PC2-8000 or or DDR2-1000 is that is is currently pretty hard to find a motherboard that will run that fast out of the box; if at all.  I started with my beloved ABIT AW8D build and quickly discovered that the AW8D and Intel P940 combination just won't clock past DDR2-800.  A quick stop by the local Computer Central and I am up and running on a new ASUS P5W DH Deluxe Motherboard and a shiny new Intel Core 2 Duo 6300 processor.  During this transition time, you really need to do your homework on motherboard compatibility and go with a manufacturer you can depend on to support these emerging technologies.

     The shiny gold color of these modules really accents the new ASUS black and gold nicely.  To get the latest memory support I also updated the ASUS motherboard to the latest BIOS (Version 1407.)

     Here is the motherboard installed.  Now if only I had a shiny gold heatsink for my Connect3D X1900 XTX I would be set!  The rest of the build includes an Intel Pentium Core Duo 2 6300 cooled by an AeroCool GT-1000 cooler, 2 x WD 74 GB Raptors in a RAID0, a Seagate 750 GB storage drive and a Plextor PX-755SA 16x DVD burner.  The system was mounted in the new Antec Nine Hundred case and powered was provided by the Kingwin Mach 1 600 W Power supply.   For the initial testing both the system and video were left at stock speeds.