With Windows Vista becoming more main stream across the enthusiast market, users are finding out that the old standard of running 2GBs of memory just isn't enough. We are going to be taking a look at OCZ's Reaper HPC DDR2 PC2-8500 4GB Edition. We previously took a look at the Reaper modules back in Sept of 07. With the 4GB edition, we will be doing our testing on Vista 64 and also seeing how well it works with our E8400 test rig. We know that OCZ has shown to offer some outstanding memory in the past and hope to see the 4GB kit hold up.
First Impression:
The OCZ Reaper HPC DDR2 PC2-8500 modules come packed in the standard blister packaging. From the front of the package you can see how large the heatsinks are on the cooler. With the Reapers being a little taller than the standard memory module, you will want to make sure your CPU cooler selection offers appropriate space. Some of the larger CPU coolers might not work with the OCZ Reapers. You can also see the stickers on the modules that state part number, and optimal speed, timing and voltage settings.
On the rear of the package, you will find a paragraph and diagram discussing the heatpipe cooling used on the OCZ Reaper HPC memory modules.
"The Reaper HPC series uses heat pipe technology to rapidly remove heat from the main body of the memory modules and conduct the thermal load to the extended radiator fin array. The addition of the extended fin array nearly doubles the total surface area available for heat dissipation while the heat pipes warrant near isothermicity throughout the entire design. The result is a doubling in effective heat dissipation at equal delta t or, in real systems, a significantly lower operating temperature of the memory modules."
