The Return of Mushkin–Review on the Tuner XP Redline Series

Price for DRAM has gone up a lot recently. However, this does not affect the
High Performance Memory such as the 1000MHz and 1066MHz memory


I have a pair of 2GB Mushkin Tuner XP Redline with manufacturer default
specification: DDRII1000 CL4-5-4-11


I remembered the first time I encountered Mushkin REDLINE was about a year
ago in overseas review websites and online stores. It reviewed the flagship
product – REDLINE DDR500 CL2-2-2-5 which used Winbond IC


In the review, outstanding and excellent performance from the Mushkin
REDLINE stayed ahead in the competition and out-performed the rest which
has similar specification from Winbond DDR500 CL2 IC. Majority of the
reviewers and users able to reach DDR530~560 @ CL2-2-2-5 performance
with the Mushkin REDLINE DDR500 CL2-2-2-5 module.


With DDRII already the mainstream nowadays, Mushkin’s Tuner XP REDLINE
DDRII Series significantly be spotlight for any review, let’s find out here:


The first thing changed is the packaging. White background with company
logo “<m” makes it simple yet unique





The wide surface of Mushkin FrostByte Heat Spreader is distinctive too





The REDLINE Logo is printed at the back of the FrostByte Heat Spreader





The special clip-designed on the top of the FrostByte is to prevent IC from
damage. This is due to the DDRII IC Packaging is different from last
generation DDR IC Packaging





I have chosen a motherboard which has better overclocking in DRAM for the
testing:
First of all, the Intel Platform
Gigabyte has good performance in FSB
However, I have chosen DFI due to its higher overclockability in DRAM





Test platform
CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme X6800
MB: DFI INFINITY 975X/G
DRAM:Mushkin Tuner XP Redline
VGA:ELSA GLADIAC 790GS 256B3 2DT
HD:Seagate 7200.7 80GB
POWER:Corsair HX620W Modular Power Supply
Cooler:Sonic Tower


At DDRII 800 CL3 3-3-9, Voltage: 2.15V





At DDRII 1101 CL4 4-3-9, Voltage: 2.6V and a 8cm fan for heat dissipation

Now, the AMD Platform




Test platform
CPU:AMD AM2 Althon64 X2 4800+
MB: LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R
DRAM:Mushkin Tuner XP Redline
VGA:ELSA GLADIAC 790GS 256B3 2DT
HD:Seagate 7200.7 80GB
POWER:Corsair HX620W Modular Power Supply
Cooler:Tower112

At DDRII 805 CL3 3-3-9 1T BIOS=>2.13V; OS=>2.08V





At DDRII 1068 CL4 4-4-9 2T BIOS=>2.20V; OS=>2.11V and a 8cm fan for
heat dissipation





At DDRII 1179 CL4 4-4-9 2T BIOS=>2.47V; OS=>2.39V and a 8cm fan for heat dissipation





I faced an optimum point when it reached 2.95GHz with this AMD X2 4800+,
and it able to reach DRII 1205 CL4-4-4-9 2T stable





I did not provide any benchmark for this test; however, you could easily get
any information for DRAM benchmark from my previous testing. The theme of
today testing is on the stability in overclocking and voltage. Personally, I
hope it provides enough information on this testing


Back to the topic, Mushkin tag line: Get More, is to offer users to pay less to
Get More performance / overclockability


This is an advantage to majority and mainstream users; however, it might not
be good to extreme users.


The Mushkin Tuner XP Redline default speed at DDRII 1000 CL4 5-4-11 and
its characteristic follows the “Get More” tag line too. With considering its
overclocking potential, this RAM can easily compete with other DDRII 1066
memory.


With it outstanding and excellent performance, Mushkin unique logo and tag
line, we can easily remember it’s legendary name in performance. It is no
doubt great news to the Asia users with great choice in performance
memory. However, with its new introductory into the Asia market, it is not
easily available in this market.


What will be the next review from windwithme?
8800GTX? Or the Conroe-L? Or even latest and up-to-date products?

... May I have your old stuff?

^^^^^
What He said....

Nice review WWM. Your photos are always awesome.