Test Setup

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.


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.





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.