mushkin lvl 1 vs. lvl 2

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wmbjr

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Is there a true performance difference between Mushkin's level 1 and level 2 memory that makes the level 2 almost twice as much. I am interested in getting 1GB of memory to be used in a pentium 4 2.6 system with a slight overclock (probably overclocked to 3.0 and no more). Will the level 1 be sufficient or will I really get a significant increase for video editing and gamaing?
 
I've never had their Level-2 stuff, but I have some of the PC3200 Level 1 that I got from Newegg. It performs solidly at its rated speed at 2-3-2. They recently dropped the price on 1GB of this stuff to $180, which is a steal IMO.
 
Originally posted by jamezzz122
You get what you pay for...That is why it is more expensive...
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Well, I guess I will be more specific. I know the timings of the level one are 2-3-3 and those of the level two are 2-2-2. I am wondering if anyone can point me to a review that shows how much difference there is in the performance of 2-3-3 versus 2-2-2. Also, is there any real difference when it comes to the ability to overclock if you are not planning on trying to get every last drop out of the processor and memory. Thanks.
 
for a pentium 4 system i would just use level one, the extra price IMO isnt worth it. but if u were using an AMD system i would definately go for the level 2.
 
hmm im seeing all these timing things 2-3-2 and stuff... what does all this mean? and what does cas mean? can someone give me a explenation of all this? thanks
 
No one can provide a link or some real world information and comparison between the level one and level two memory? :(
 
I can't think of any reviews off hand that pit the lvl 1 vs lvl 2 but the lvl 2 is definately better. The timings isn't what make it better so much. lvl 1 uses CH-5 chips while lvl 2 uses BH-5 chips. Bh-5 chips will overclock much further and run much tigher timings at those overclocks then CH-5 can. CH-5 cannot run tighter then 2-3-2-5 because it has a problem with the RAS->CAS timing going lower then 3. If your not really into overclocking i would just go with the level 1. People complain about prices of more expensive RAM but Overclocking is an expensive business usually if you want the best. Overclocking isn't for everyone and their mom just cause you can.

Heres a few articles on timings.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=873
http://www.devhardware.com/c/Hardware/Memory/Memory_Bandwidth_And_Timings/

Also check out the sticky at the top of the forum.
 
Originally posted by jamestime88
for a pentium 4 system i would just use level one, the extra price IMO isnt worth it. but if u were using an AMD system i would definately go for the level 2.
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For a P4 I'd get the lvl 2. Especially with the 865/875 systems' issues with CH-5 chips.
 
Originally posted by jamestime88
for a pentium 4 system i would just use level one, the extra price IMO isnt worth it. but if u were using an AMD system i would definately go for the level 2.
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If you were overclocking the lvl 2 would be alot better no matter what system your using. BH-5 is the overclockers love. CH-5 is just what we get stuck with now that Winbond decided to stop manufactering it last year. The lvl 2 stuff is going way up in price now so i would get it now if you want any. Most of the other manufacters are running out and Mushkin's 1GB kits are up to $300 now from $283.
 
BH-5 Chips are what overclockers dream about. You pump enough voltage into them, and they're amazing. CH-5 is the junk that replaced them :(
LVL2 is ALWAYS BH-5 Chips, so get them while you still can.
 
Have there been any reviews on the performance between lvl 1 AND lvl2 memory? I tried looking but I found seperate reviews on each of them.
 
Originally posted by tiraides
Have there been any reviews on the performance between lvl 1 AND lvl2 memory? I tried looking but I found seperate reviews on each of them.
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The performance difference between lvl 1 and lvl 2 is going to be close to the same as what it is for lvl 2 vs anything else with CH-5 chips. The different PCB's does result in different performance results but the main factor in the performance of the DIMMS is the memory chips.
 
Originally posted by burningrave101
The performance difference between lvl 1 and lvl 2 is going to be close to the same as what it is for lvl 2 vs anything else with CH-5 chips.
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Can you give me an idea of what other brands use the CH-5 chips? Is that what the corsair XMS uses or is there another brand that I should look for compairisons with. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by wmbjr
Can you give me an idea of what other brands use the CH-5 chips? Is that what the corsair XMS uses or is there another brand that I should look for compairisons with. Thanks.
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None. No one else uses CH-5 at the moment, since it isn't produced any more. Some older (as in: Spring LAST year) XMS used them, as did a few others, but good luck finding any. Mushkin is the only one using them now.
 
Originally posted by lopoetve
None. No one else uses CH-5 at the moment, since it isn't produced any more.
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I thought it was the BH-5 that were not produced and in high demand and that they were replaced by the CH-5. I could be wrong. Anyone else help here?
 
Originally posted by wmbjr
I thought it was the BH-5 that were not produced and in high demand and that they were replaced by the CH-5. I could be wrong. Anyone else help here?
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Bah. too early in the morning ;) You're right.
 
Mushkin level II is "sold out indefinately" according to their website. Probably means that that is it for the BH-5 chips, newegg still has level II in stock however, just ordered some last night :D

i bet you can consider it an investment to go to newegg and buy as many as you can. in a month when all the resellers are out of them, i bet they will sell pretty well on ebay if you advertise them in overclocking forums. :cool:
 
because Winbond stopped making BH-5 a while ago, and it looks like Mushkin has run out of their stockpiles of bh-5. i have no idea why winbond stopped production, likely their production costs were too high for a product that only enthusiasts can appreciate. CH-5 is fine for the soccer mom's word processing.
 
Originally posted by hi_its_ryan
because Winbond stopped making BH-5 a while ago, and it looks like Mushkin has run out of their stockpiles of bh-5. i have no idea why winbond stopped production, likely their production costs were too high for a product that only enthusiasts can appreciate. CH-5 is fine for the soccer mom's word processing.
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Yes thats what i believe happened. It probably costs more money to make BH-5 chips and only about the 1% of overclockers that would actually know what they were doing would be worried about getting BH-5 chips. Although it seems like they have been selling pretty good lately and its too bad they can't continue production. Its going to be a sad day when even Mushkin no longer has any left.
 
Ok. Mushkin Level 2 is just too darn expensive for me to buy. What would be everyone's second choice? Level 1, corsair, kingston, etc? I am looking for PC3500 memory so I can do a slight overclock of a 2.6 (probably just to get it to 3.0). Thanks for any recommendations.
 
KHX3000 (kingston hyperX) comes in either BH-5 or BH-6 and is quite cheap. It will perform just about the same as Level 2, if given enough voltage.

PC3200 and PC3500 hyperX, now all have CH-5 chips. Older ones had BH-5. To distinguish them, look at the model #'s. KHX3x00K2 is BH-5. KHX3x00AK2 is CH-5.

Another good, Level II subsitute is Corsair XMS PC3500C2..
 
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