Mushkin is an active leader in the memory market today with their release of blazing fast low latency PC3200 memory and DDR2 memory in mid-2004. When I took a look at Mushkin's DDR2-533 CL4 memory a few weeks ago, I was quite amazed with the performance it offered, but I was also disappointed by the lack of performance increase when I overclocked those modules. Today, I will be taking a look at Mushkin's DDR2-533 CL3 memory which offer an all-time low 3-2-2-8 DDR2 memory timings at 1.8v! I am hoping to find that these modules will offer greater performance than the CL4 modules; let's take a look!

Technical Specifications of Mushkin's PC2-4200 CL3 Modules

• Module Size: 2 x 512MB
• Feature: DDR2 PC2-4200
• Chip Configuration: 64 x 8
• DIMM Type: Unbuffered
• Error Checking: Non-ECC
• Speed: DDR2-533
• Voltage: 1.8v
• Memory Timings: 3-2-2-8
• Chip Manufacturer: Enhanced Memories

Taking a closer look at the modules
Mushkin has finally taken to heart some of the suggestions I have made in previous reviews.

While these aren't flashy modules, I like the silver aluminum heat spreaders that are employed. They do have a plain green PCB which doesn't go well with the silver heat spreaders and I think that a nice black PCB would make all the difference in the appearance of these modules. Another noticeable point is that the heat spreaders on these modules have a lower profile than the PC2-4200 CL4 modules. Unfortunately, the IC's (Integrated Circuits) are slightly larger than those on the CL4 modules and the heat transfer tape doesn't cover the entire surface of the IC.

Finally, I have found a Mushkin memory module that has a label with information. The module timings and speed are listed right on the label along with the words “dual pack?and the module sizes of dual pack (2x 512MB). This can be fairly useful information when using the modules and overclocking them. This way, there is a hard record of what the default memory speed and timings are. Way to go, Mushkin!

Key Feature Comparison
This comparison will take a look at key features of the Mushkin modules in comparison to those of Mushkin's CL4 offering.

Mushkin PC2-4200 CL3 Mushkin PC2-4200 CL4 Rated Speed 533MHz 533MHz Memory Size 1GB (2x 512MB) 1GB (2x 512MB) Latency 3-2-2-8 4-4-4-12 Voltage 1.8v 1.8v Heat Spreaders Silver Aluminum Black Aluminum