GeIL Black Dragon DDR2 800 MHz CL4

[Darksaber]

[page=Introduction]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/geil-logo.jpg
G.e.I.L gained fame with their release of the Golden Dragon series, which was actually one of the first set to utilize a themed PCB and looks. The kits were sold in a different package and also featured better speeds than standard variants. After years, G.e.I.L is raising the dragon again in form of the Black Dragon series. This time the PCB black with red LEDs for the dragon's eyes.

Specifications

2GB 800MHz CAS4 (1GBX2-SKU#GB22GB6400C4DC)
2GB 800MHz CAS5 (1GBX2-SKU#GB22GB6400C5DC)
4GB 800MHz CAS5 (2GBX2-SKU#GB24GB6400C5DC)
64Mx8 or 128Mx8 DDR2 FBGA Chips
240pin, Non-ECC, Un-buffered DIMM
8 Layers Custom Black Dragon PCB with LED
Retail Package
Working Voltage: 800C5-1.8V/800C4- 2.0V
Lifetime Warranty

Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/packrear.jpg)
Geil ships the memory in a compact, black package. The front has a few small cut outs to give you some idea what the memory looks like, while the back only has one opening to view the sticker with a serial number. A list of speeds and ratings is also printed on the rear. GeIL uses blue stickers to let potential buyers know what is inside the package.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/innerbox_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/innerbox.jpg)
The inner package is made of clear plastic. Here the Black Dragon as well as the sticker showing the rating can be seen.

[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/memorynew_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/memorynew.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/memsides_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/memsides.jpg)
Taking a closer look at the memory, the first thing you notice is the golden dragon head. This is the successor of the Golden Dragon series. These used to be golden with a dragon printed on them as well. Both sides of the dual channel 2 GB kit look identical, but the one side lacks the same dragon symbol found on the front. it would have been nice to see such an inprint on both sides.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/rating_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/rating.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/chip_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/chip.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/geilpcb_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/geilpcb.jpg)
The holographic sticker lists all needed information to get up and running. As you can see it is a DDR2 800 MHz CL4-4-4-12 kit with an operating voltage of 2.0V. GeIL has placed their own logo on the memory chips so there is no way to tell who manufactured them. The PCB also features the company logo on the edge.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/leds_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/leds.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/upandrunning_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/upandrunning.jpg)
The dragon head is formed by placing two dragons next to each other. GeIL has also placed two red LEDs for eyes, which looks stunning on the mainboard. The combination of a black PCB, golden print and these LEDs makes for some beautiful memory.

[page=Performance & Overclocking]
Test Setup
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="systable">
<tr><th colspan="2" style="font-size:larger;text-align:center">Test System</th></tr>
<tr>
<th width="100">CPU:</th>
<td>Intel E6300 Conroe<br />1.8 GHz, 2 MB Cache</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>Motherboard:</th>
<td>ASUS P5B Deluxe BIOS 1004 <br>
Intel P965 C1 </td>
</tr><tr>
<th>Video Card:</th>
<td>PowerColor X800XL Pro 16 PCI-E</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>Harddisk:</th>
<td>Samsung P80 80 GB</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>Power Supply:</th>
<td>Ultra V-Power 450W</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>Software:</th>
<td>Windows XP SP2, Catalyst 7.6</td>
</tr>
</table>

Performance & Overclocking
The first thing done, when testing this memory is simply running it at the rated speed. GeIL states an operational voltage of 2.0V at the the rated speed of 800 MHz. The modules also do not have EPP, which means that you will need to set the speeds yourself. Nonetheless, it worked flawlessly right away at this speed and setting intended.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/cpuz_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/cpuz.jpg)
Taking a look at CPU-Z, it becomes apparent that not only do you need to set the SPD timings yourself, but the memory only lists JEDEC timings of CL5 at 800 MHz.

The next step meant setting the memory to 667 MHz and default voltage to see what timings the memory was capable of. Oddly it did not boot at CL3-3-3-10 with 1.8V. Once this was raised to 1.9V everything worked out. The next restriction is the fact that the memory does not like high voltage. It routinely becomes unstable or unbootable at anything above 2.2V. This really constricts the playing field to a voltage between 1.9V and 2.2V, even with direct air cooling of the modules. Traversing through the speeds of 3-3-3-10, 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-15, it becomes apparent that the memory only makes large speed bumps possible at higher CL ratings. It manages to surpass 1066 MHz at CL5, by going a few MHz above that to 1040 MHz. At the intended setting and highest possible voltage, our DIMM kit hit 477 MHz which translates into 954 MHz, a great deal above the intended rating. If the memory would take higher voltages up to 2.4V without problems, one could possibly break the 1000 MHz barrier, but this was not the case with our kit.

<table width="640" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable">
<tr>
<th colspan="9" ><strong>GeIL Black Dragon DDR2 800 MHz CL4 2 GB Kit</strong></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th nowrap="nowrap">CPU Clock &amp;<br />Memory Ratio</th>
<th>Memory<br/>Speed</th>
<th>Memory<br/>Timings</th>
<th>Everest<br/>Read</th>
<th>Everest<br/>Write</th>
<th>Everest<br/>Latency</th>
<th>Quake 3<br/>Timedemo</th>
<th>3DMark<br/>2001SE</th>
<th>SuperPi<br/>Mod 1M</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 290 2:3</th>
<td>436 MHz </td>
<td>5-5-5-15 2.45V </td>
<td>7138 MB/s </td>
<td>5294 MB/s </td>
<td>68.3 ns </td>
<td>396.2 fps </td>
<td>25692</td>
<td>26.64 s </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 320 3:5</th>
<td>533 MHz</td>
<td>5-5-5-15 1.8V </td>
<td>8050 MB/s </td>
<td>5828 MB/s </td>
<td>57.6 ns </td>
<td>437.8 fps </td>
<td>27342</td>
<td>24.06 s </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 324 3:5 </th>
<td>540 MHz </td>
<td>5-5-5-15 2.4V </td>
<td>8156 MB/s </td>
<td>5902 MB/s </td>
<td>56.8 ns </td>
<td>441.5 fps </td>
<td>27730</td>
<td>23.78 s </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 266 2:3 </th>
<td>400 MHz </td>
<td>4-4-4-12 1.8V </td>
<td>6131 MB/s </td>
<td>4698 MB/s </td>
<td>74.0 ns </td>
<td>302.5 fps </td>
<td>20044</td>
<td>30.95 s </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 292 2:3 </th>
<td>438 MHz </td>
<td>4-4-4-12 1-8V </td>
<td>6747 MB/s </td>
<td> 5176 MB/s </td>
<td>67.3 ns </td>
<td>323.1 fps </td>
<td>20828</td>
<td>28.31 s</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 318 2:3 </th>
<td>477 MHz </td>
<td>4-4-4-8 1.8V </td>
<td>7819 MB/s </td>
<td>5780 MB/s </td>
<td>60.9 ns </td>
<td>431.1 fps </td>
<td>27038</td>
<td>24.25 s </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 266 4:5 </th>
<td>333 MHz </td>
<td>3-3-3-10 1.8V </td>
<td>6091 MB/s </td>
<td>4823 MB/s </td>
<td>82.0 ns </td>
<td>357.6 fps </td>
<td>23712</td>
<td>29.64 s</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>7 x 277 4:5 </th>
<td>346 MHz</td>
<td>3-3-3-10 1.8V</td>
<td>6310 MB/s </td>
<td>4984 MB/s </td>
<td>79.1 ns </td>
<td>366.0 fps </td>
<td>23999</td>
<td>28.62 s</td>
</tr>
</table>

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph1.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph2.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph3.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph4.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph5.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/graph6.gif

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/voltage.jpg
Due to the restrictive voltage spectrum, the GeIL Black Dragon scales well with CL settings. If you raise the timings, you will gain more speed with these DIMMs. Remember, the results above represent our review sample, not every part may perform the same. Please keep this in mind.

[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The 2 GB kit of GeIL Black Dragon DDR 2 800 MHz CL4-4-4-12 should set you back a mere 50€ or US Dollars. While the 1066 MHz CL5-5-5-15 kit goes for around 90€/US Dollars</td><br>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Even the 800 MHz kit can do 1066 MHz at CL5-5-5-15, a great value!
A maximum OC to 1080 MHz is great!
Great looks
Lifetime warranty
Sticker on DIMM holds all needed information
4 GB or even 8 GB kits available
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Simply does not work with very high voltage or very low voltage
Won't work with CL3-2-2
Large sticker with serial number does not really look good
Own branding, so there is no certainty as to chips used
Dragon head and LEDs only on one side
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>8.8</th>
<td>GeIL has released an interesting memory kit with the Black Dragon Series. While the origin of the memory chips used remains a mystery due to the own brand name on the parts, the results are very good, especially since our sample easily managed 1066 MHz at CL5-5-5-15 at 2.2 - 2.25V. The actual kit which manages that speed out of the box costs almost twice as much. This makes the memory a real value for anyone not wanting to spend a lot on some great looking modules, but still wants nice overclocking results. This is especially true for users with mainboards which lack extensive voltage tables, as our Black Dragon kit really did not like high voltages.
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif http://www.techpowerup.com/images/budget.gif</td></tr>
</table>

[rhythmeister]

My god, GEiL make TASTY ram indeed and it's even cheap as chips (pun intended) over here in the UK as well! I'd be buying this stuff if I didn't have the new HyperX ELL kit :D

[BvB123]

http://i7.techpowerup.com/reviews/Geil/Black_Dragon_PC2_6400/images/voltage.jpg

there is a mistake :toast:

[Darksaber]

lol true, the colors are switched, will fix that asap

[wtf8269]

I was really surprised to see that there were not any heatspreaders on these. I personally consider that a plus though, because there are some very nice aftermarket ones out there now.

[Hawk1]

I was really surprised to see that there were not any heatspreaders on these. I personally consider that a plus though, because there are some very nice aftermarket ones out there now.

Too bad you would lose the led "eyes", if you can even put a spreader on there with the LEDs sticking out of it.

Any eta on when these hit the stores?

[rhythmeister]

These have been for sale for a few weeks in the UK from what I can see! Are they not available stateside?

[Wile E]

Am I the only one that thinks those OCing results are sub-par? These obviously aren't IC's of d9 quality. 2.4V for 1080MHz CAS5 isn't anything to write home about. (If I am, in fact, reading the chart correctly). My Ballistix cost me just about as much (although that's after a MIR), and can do over 1200MHz at 2.4V CAS5.

[mab1376]

Am I the only one that thinks those OCing results are sub-par? These obviously aren't IC's of d9 quality. 2.4V for 1080MHz CAS5 isn't anything to write home about. (If I am, in fact, reading the chart correctly). My Ballistix cost me just about as much (although that's after a MIR), and can do over 1200MHz at 2.4V CAS5.

If you get some Zalman ram sinks matched with a OCZ XTC cooler these should perform awesome.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118220

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202003

[WarEagleAU]

I agree Wile E, obviously not D9 chips. Also, the OC is nothing to write home about. You can get a great set of 2gb 1066 mhz ram for like 70 to 90 bucks. Geil used to be solid, these, Im not too sold on.

[rhythmeister]

I don't think these are really released with overclocking in mind but attractive, affordable, stable gaming performance. The Golden dragon 1GB kit I had in my Epox board was rock solid, never a single ram issue, or board issue for that matter and both are still going strong in the pc I built for my friend around them! Overclockers UK still have a couple of the pc6400 2GB kits left at <£40 which I consider to be tremendous value for an AM2 system for instance :D

[theonetruewill]

I'm getting them for my system as I need to replace my current sticks- as a friend is in need of some RAM this Xmas. I;ll give him mine and take these sticks which seem to be a mere £31 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-066-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813)!

[theonetruewill]

It manages to surpass 1066 MHz at CL5, by going a few MHz above that to 1040 MHz.

Do you mean 1080 MHz?:)
Will delete post when fixed.

[2toneturbo]

I just got a set of these in the UK for more or less £50 for 4GB!
They handle brilliantly with a small overclock, very stable and speed up gametime.