OCZ 2GB PC2-9200 Reaper HPC Edition

Here, we compare our overclocks of the memory being reviewed alongside other recently evaluated sticks. These graphs include benchmarks with each kit of ram at DDR2-1000 4-4-4-12-13 2.1v along with each kits own top overclock. While the DDR2-1000 results should not vary much, the top end overclocks will, given that each kit will top out differently.

For reference, here are the top overclocks for each kit of ram included:

• OCZ Reaper HPC PC2-9200 – 642MHz 5-5-5-18-19 2.5v (2.88GHz CPU) – (Review)
• Corsair Dominator PC2-9136 – 635MHz 5-5-5-18-16 2.5v (2.85GHz CPU) – (Review)
• OCZ Flex XLC PC2-9200 – 625MHz 5-5-5-18-16 2.5v (2.81GHz CPU) – (Review)
• Kingston HyperX PC2-9200 – 621.5MHz 5-5-5-18-13 2.5v (2.79GHz CPU) – (Review)
• OCZ Ti Alpha VX2 PC2-8000 – 620MHz 5-5-5-18-13 2.5v (2.79GHz CPU) – (Review)
• OCZ DFI Special PC2-9000 – 615MHz 5-5-5-18-13 2.5v (2.76GHz CPU) – (Review)
• OCZ SLI-Ready PC2-7200 – 600MHz 5-5-5-18-13 2.4v (2.70GHz CPU) – (Review)

Since our Reaper kit managed the highest overclock of any previous kits we’ve reviewed, it is not any surprise to see it top all of the charts.

It probably will not come as a surprise to know that I recommend these modules. This kit proved the highest overclock of any other we’ve reviewed in the past. Corsairs DOMINATOR 9136 was at the top for quite a while, but it was dethroned thanks to the Reaper 9200’s extra 7MHz.

From an overclocking standpoint, you cannot go wrong. How about the price, though? Currently, there are only a few retailers who stock this exact kit. Not surprising since it was only announced a few weeks ago. The price I’ve seen on average has been $315, so I took a few minutes to see what else was available for the same or lesser price.

One kit that caught my eye was OCZs own Flex XLC rated for the same speeds, which happens to hover around the same price. If water cooling is in your plans, that might be a good idea.

The only other kits available in the same price bracket worthy of consideration are 4GB kits, (starting off at around $50 more), but the overclocking potential will not likely be a good one. OCZs 9200 Reaper is the fastest kit currently on the market for the price. Every other 9200 kit I stumbled upon cost far more.

If you have $300 to spare, this kit would be very worthy of consideration. For that, I am going to award it an 8 out of 10 and award OCZ our Editors Choice award. The overclocking potential greatly outweighs any extra cost in price, and even as it stands, it’s cheaper than equal competition.

As for the Reaper heatspreader, I could not touch much on the benefits without a digital thermometer, although I am working on getting one in. I’ve always believed that overclocking without a fan was foolish though, and that opinion still stands. Stock speeds for the 9200 kit require 2.3v. While stable, it still gets too hot to touch after benchmarking. So for any overclocking at all, I highly recommend a fan. No passive heatsink available will rid the need for a fan for serious enthusiasts.

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