OCZ DDR2 memory group test

OCZ DDR2 PC2-9200 FlexXLC Edition

Manufacturer: OCZ
UK Price (as reviewed): £147.58 (inc. VAT)
US Price (as reviewed): $235.99 (ex. Tax)

We previously looked at the PC2-6400 FlexXLC modules back in February, which were clocked at exactly the same speeds and timings as the SLI Edition memory featured here. Now we have some faster PC2-9200 modules which feature some of the same "Xtreme Liquid Convention" heatsinks with that are watercooling capable, but underneath they now contain performance Micron D9 memory chips instead.

Kit: 2 x 240-pin DDR2 Double Sided DIMM
Module Size: 2GB Dual Channel Kit (2 x 1GB)
Module Code: OCZ2FX11502GK
Rated Speed: 1150MHz DDR2
Rated Timings: 5-5-5-18
Rated Voltage: 2.3V and up to 2.35V Extended Voltage Protection
Memory Chips: Micron D9GMH (B6-3)
EPP: Yes.


The modules are rated for 1150MHz, although due to the constraints of memory dividers on the nForce 6-series the EPP rating will clock them at 1142MHz, the same as the Corsair PC2-9136. At PC2-9200 they offer a little more performance than the Corsair PC2-9136 Dominator modules and OCZ also offers PC2-9600 FlexXLC to match Kingston's flagship memory, but it hasn't got an answer to Corsair's PC2-10,000 Dominator memory yet. We have seen faster memory from OCZ back at CeBIT but nothing actually running let alone close to retail.


At 1150MHz these sticks should offer oodles of performance and overclocking headroom, as well as the option of integration with current watercooling setups. However, most enthusiasts who do watercool often like to keep their loop a single bore size if possible, so we still maintain just supplying a threaded socket for a barb or perhaps a whole kit including CPU cooler might be a better alternative for OCZ.

In addition there is no turbulence within the actual water channel, so heat transfer isn't maximised. OCZ maintains you lose all of a couple of percent performance from not using water, which is fair enough, but without watercooling it means you're left with a large tube of insulating air right down the middle of your heatsink. The FlexXLC is attempting to accommodate both worlds and not really winning in either in our opinion, even though the option of both is a great initiative.


The actual heatsink is really very heavy for a memory module, although not too much that it puts strain on the socket or you can't put two modules side by side. One of the sides has the OCZ branding along with a the same rippled effect that increases the surface area, but in contrast the back side is just a plain piece of aluminium. The two pieces are again just screwed together and there's no PCB cooling employed either. They certainly look great though and there's no denying that four stacked together in adjacent memory slots does look fantastic. Don't get us wrong: the extra metal provides a far better solution than the very basic heatspreaders that Kingston employs for its performance modules and we also prefer it to the Reapers but the cooling needs to be more even.

The 2.35V EVP is great for a bit of extra performance by either dropping the timings a touch or overclocking just a bit more. We managed a generous 1210MHz, which is a fraction over the 1200MHz the Corsair PC2-9136 did. Some people have claimed up to 1280MHz out of these modules although we now suspect the very best memory chips will now be used on the PC2-9600 FlexXLC, and of course your own mileage will vary. The Kingston PC2-9600 only managed a bit more at 1232MHz, so in all a good result for the OCZ.