Packaging and ModulesFirst off we have a look at how OCZ ships the FlexXLC Edition memory modules. The 2GB kit of two matched pairs of 1GB modules arrived in a protective plastic blister package that doesn’t take the world and then some to open, thankfully.
The packaging explains how OCZ’s new cooling system works to keep the modules cool when running such high speeds.
The modules themselves are quite impressive. They are by far the largest DDR-2 memory modules on the market thanks to the XLC liquid cooling system that they use - that’s right, these modules are water cooled. The diagram below from OCZ explains how the cooling concept actually works:
They not only operate with water cooling, but if you don’t want to use water, that’s fine, these modules can be cooled conventionally without water just by plugging them into your motherboard. The large heatsinks on the top keep the modules cool without the aid of water.
OCZ has put these modules out from the factory designed to run at PC2-9200 mode - 1150MHz DDR or 575MHz. The modules come with 5-5-5-18 timing ratings and support up to 2.4v with OCZ’s Extended Voltage Protection (EVP) program without voiding the warranty. In fact, you need to use around this higher than usual voltage to operate the RAM at 1150MHz DDR. Our testings even showed that it will even operate stable at 2.5v without any problems at all when using the water cooling. To keep the electrical interference down, OCZ has gone to the largest PCB they have ever used, and 8 layer design, which will aid in added stability when overclocking to extremes.
From the top of the modules we get a better look at the heatsink that OCZ has used for when you run the modules with passive cooling. This is an all alloy heatsink that connects to the copper base of the water cooling system. The barbs used for the water cooling system are quarter inch (or 6mm) diameter tubing. Our Gigabyte 3D Galaxy II water cooling system has these ports on their splitter systems ready to go, which we found quite helpful.
