Mushkin 2GB XP2-5300 3-3-3 Memory Review

Under The Heat Spreader

Our test kit was the Mushkin 2GB XP2-5300 Dual Kit (2x1GB) with the part number of 991512, which comes rated with 3-3-3-10 memory timings at 2.1 Volts for most motherboards. From our expierence testing the 1GB and 512MB modules the power requirements do tend to change between the different capacities. For the 512MB modules (1GB kits included) we found that 2.1V would work fine. On the 1GB modules (2GB kits included) you might have to go up to 2.2V for these modules to operate at 100% stability. For our 2GB test kit 2.1V worked fine and we never once expierenced any lock ups or blue screens of death (BSOD) during our week with the modules. While these voltages are higher than the standard 1.8V that most kits come rated at, don’t be discouraged because even the Intel 975X motherboard has BIOS options allowing up to 2.2V for the memory. If Intel allows their consumers to run 2.2V then it is generally okay for the chipset and processor to handle.

Key Features:

• Memory amount: 2 x 1024MB
• 240-pin Unbuffered DIMM
• IC Brand: Elpida (64Mx8 Configuration)
• 667MHz (PC2-5300) Unbuffered non-ECC DDR2 Modules
• CAS latency: 3 clock cycles
• RAS precharge: 3 cycles
• RAS active to precharge: 10 cycles
• Black heat spreader for thermal diffusion
• Latency: 3-3-3-10
• Power supply：2.10 +/- 0.1V
• Lifetime Warranty

Once the heat spreaders were removed we could read that the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) ID was BP MLL E186014 B62URCE, which is made by Brain Power Co. and is a well known company among enthusiasts around the world. These are the same IC’s that A-DATA is using on their Vitesta DDR2-800 modules that we reviewed in a previous article. Our expierence with Elpida IC’s has not been too good over the past four years, but in recent months we have found them to be the best overclocking DDR2 IC’s on the market.

After looking at the Elpida IC’s we made out the part number E5108AG-6E-E, but after trying to look up these part numbers on Elpida’s site we were unable to find any information on them.