Mushkin 2GB Redline XP4000
Mushkin is a very well-known brand of Enthusiast memory. Most computer hobbyists know Mushkin for their web-based direct memory sales, based in Denver, CO. Direct sales have always been a large part of Mushkin's business, but today, you can buy Mushkin memory at Newegg and other web e-tailers as well.
Several months ago, Mushkin introduced their new Redline heatspreader. With large slots in the top of the heatspreader, it was designed to better dissipate heat than the older closed heatspreaders, which often caused higher temperatures than no heatspreader at all.
There's no mistaking that this is REDline memory; the fire engine red heatspreaders announce this loudly. Under the heatspreaders, you will find Infineon memory chips again, just like almost all the other memories in this roundup. Rated at DDR500, the memory chips used in the Mushkin Redline 2GB kit are Infineon C die, which has a wider overclocking range than B die.
Specifications
Mushkin rates their DDR500 2GB Redline kit at 3-3-2 timings at DDR500. Those are exactly the timings that we would expect with Infineon C die memory.
Voltage is rated at standard 2.6V, so you will not need a board with super high vCore to get the most from these memory chips.
Test Results
To be considered stable for test purposes, Quake3 benchmark, UT2003 Demo, Super PI, Aquamark 3, and Comanche 4 had to complete without incident. Any of these, and in particular Super PI, will crash a less-than stable memory configuration.
The performance of the Mushkin Redline was typically Infineon C, except it was always at the better end of expected C die performance. Mushkin managed DDR436 at CAS2, where some other Infineon chip memory requires CAS2.5. Even at the very top, the Redline ran with complete stability at 3-3-2 timings and never required more than 2.8V for best performance.
The highest overclock with Mushkin Redline was an outstanding DDR586 - the highest overclock of any Infineon based 2GB kit in this review. In fact, only the impossible to buy Crucial Ballistix could reach further. All-in-all, Mushkin Redline was a top performer, achieving the kind of performance and overclocking that will likely satisfy even the most jaded new user of 1 GB DIMMs. Mushkin, like OCZ in Part 1 of the 2GB kit roundup, makes the most of the memory chips used in their memory kits. Effective binning and good quality assurance pay off in a consistent, high-performing 2GB memory kit.
Mushkin is a very well-known brand of Enthusiast memory. Most computer hobbyists know Mushkin for their web-based direct memory sales, based in Denver, CO. Direct sales have always been a large part of Mushkin's business, but today, you can buy Mushkin memory at Newegg and other web e-tailers as well.
Several months ago, Mushkin introduced their new Redline heatspreader. With large slots in the top of the heatspreader, it was designed to better dissipate heat than the older closed heatspreaders, which often caused higher temperatures than no heatspreader at all.
There's no mistaking that this is REDline memory; the fire engine red heatspreaders announce this loudly. Under the heatspreaders, you will find Infineon memory chips again, just like almost all the other memories in this roundup. Rated at DDR500, the memory chips used in the Mushkin Redline 2GB kit are Infineon C die, which has a wider overclocking range than B die.
Specifications
Mushkin rates their DDR500 2GB Redline kit at 3-3-2 timings at DDR500. Those are exactly the timings that we would expect with Infineon C die memory.
Mushkin 2GB Redline XP4000 Memory Specifications | |
Number of DIMMs & Banks | 2 DS |
DIMM Size Total Memory |
1GB 2GB |
Rated Timings | 3-3-2-8 at DDR500 |
Rated Voltage | Standard (2.6V) Voltage |
SPD | 3-3-2-8 |
Voltage is rated at standard 2.6V, so you will not need a board with super high vCore to get the most from these memory chips.
Test Results
Mushkin 2GB Redline XP4000 (DDR500) - 2x1GB Double-Bank | |||||||
CPU Ratio at 2.4GHz | Memory Speed |
Memory Timings & Voltage |
Quake3 fps |
Sandra UNBuffered | Sandra Standard Buffered |
Super PI 2M places (time in sec) |
Wolfenstein - Radar - Enemy Territory fps |
12x200 | 400DDR | 2-3-2-7 2.5V |
538.5 | INT 2516 FLT 2658 |
INT 6027 FLT 6027 |
82 | 117.5 |
11x218 | 436DDR | 2-3-2-7 2.7V |
545.0 | INT 2687 FLT 2831 |
INT 6448 FLT 6375 |
81 | 118.5 |
10x240 | 480DDR | 2.5-3-2-7 2.6V |
549.0 | INT 2852 FLT 3017 |
INT 6721 FLT 6651 |
80 | 119.6 |
9x267 | 533DDR | 3-3-2-7 2.7V |
557.3 | INT 3090 FLT 3165 |
INT 7005 FLT 6923 |
80 | 120.8 |
9x293 (2.64GHz) |
Highest Mem Speed DDR 586 |
3-3-2-7 2.8V |
593.0 | INT 3299 FLT 3536 |
INT 7658 FLT 7548 |
73 | 129.6 |
The performance of the Mushkin Redline was typically Infineon C, except it was always at the better end of expected C die performance. Mushkin managed DDR436 at CAS2, where some other Infineon chip memory requires CAS2.5. Even at the very top, the Redline ran with complete stability at 3-3-2 timings and never required more than 2.8V for best performance.
The highest overclock with Mushkin Redline was an outstanding DDR586 - the highest overclock of any Infineon based 2GB kit in this review. In fact, only the impossible to buy Crucial Ballistix could reach further. All-in-all, Mushkin Redline was a top performer, achieving the kind of performance and overclocking that will likely satisfy even the most jaded new user of 1 GB DIMMs. Mushkin, like OCZ in Part 1 of the 2GB kit roundup, makes the most of the memory chips used in their memory kits. Effective binning and good quality assurance pay off in a consistent, high-performing 2GB memory kit.
51 Comments
View All Comments
WouT - Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - link
I can confirm:It would be a good idea to mention this in the article as readers should be informed that this memory is not in production and cannot be replaced by the same part anymore.
------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have been connected to an agent.
Hello, my name is Patrick . How may I help you?
Ewoud Venmans: I am looking for the fastest available 2GB kit for my ASUS A8R-MVP motherboard
Patrick : One moment, please, while I review your inquiry.
The agent is sending you to http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=A...">http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=A....
Patrick : The link provided will take you to a list of memory upgrades that are guaranteed to be compatible, or your money back (shipping not included).
Is there anything else I can help you with?
Ewoud Venmans: Ok, but the speeds are only up to PC3200. I am looking for PC4000.
Ewoud Venmans: Newegg does sell them, but I cannot find these on your site.
Ewoud Venmans: They should work as well, won't they?
Patrick : The parts at the top of the list are PC4000.
Ewoud Venmans: Sorry I only see PC3200 and PC2700 in the list?
Patrick : Yes, you are right. We don't have the PC400 anymore.
Ewoud Venmans: And if I click on performance memory I can only see PC4000 1Gb kits, not the 2Gb kits.
Ewoud Venmans: Ahhh, so if I order those at newegg, I will still have your lifetime guarantee?
Patrick : If you order that product at New Egg, after 30 days you will not be able to get that product, however we will replace with a product like PC3200 or give you a In Store Credit.
Ewoud Venmans: Hmm, so you stopped producing these and won't introduce PC4000 1GB modules anymore?
Patrick : Not in DDR. We will in DDR2.
Ewoud Venmans: Ok, thank you Patrick! You have answered all what I wanted to know.
Patrick : You're welcome. Thank you for visiting Crucial.com, and have a great day.