G.Skill F2-8800 Pi Series CL5 4GB Kit Review 17

G.Skill F2-8800 Pi Series CL5 4GB Kit Review

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Value and Conclusion

  • The 4 GB kit of G.Skill Pi Series DDR2 1100 MHz CL5-5-5-15 can be had for around $149 US Dollars
  • Impressive performance for a high density kit
  • Incredible performance at default voltage
  • Manages 1200 MHz at 2.0V
  • 1173 MHz with CL5 at 1.8V (default DDR2 voltage!)
  • Manages to boot and function at CL3 up to 730 MHz
  • 8 Layer PCB
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Large heatsinks
  • Pricey compared to other kits
  • Don't expect to get a lot out of these with extra voltage
  • Not every P35 board will manage the rated settings
  • Won't do 800 MHz at CL3
  • A bit boring packaging
The G.Skill Pi Series DDR2 memory will immediately turn some heads, once you look at the required voltage to run the kit at 1066 MHz and beyond. There is no other kit out there that is being advertised with such an attribute at this speed, but you have to exercise some caution. Make sure you get a board with great memory compatibility, as not every board with the listed chip set will work. Maybe, try to avoid combo chip sets, which can handle both DDR2 and DDR3, as the ASUS P5KC did not manage to run the Pi Series kit properly.
Besides this, the memory is truly unique. Some may be a bit disappointed by the fact, that they won't manage to squeeze a lot more out of these with higher voltage, but G.Skill has chosen to sell these at the highest possible setting with a low voltage, instead of going for tightest CL with high voltage. The attributes of the Pi Series kit are only possible if the memory is independent of any change in voltage. While we have the PC2-8800 kit here, G.Skill has already announced the PC2-9600, which requires 2.1V to run. This coincides with our result of this kit, which manages the same setting at 2.0V.
No matter which G.Skill Pi Series kit you go for, you can be certain to get some great performing memory, with that magical 4 GB capacity, giving you the best of both worlds. G.Skill was lacking a true "Series" of memory with which it could identify itself, having a lot of different offerings simply defined by model numbers and different color heat spreaders, but the Pi Series changes all that and does a great job.
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Nov 22nd, 2024 16:59 EST change timezone

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