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LOSTCIRCUITS	SHORTCUTS: Top Page Mobile Specs The DFI 855GME-MGF Test Configurations Memory Performance WorldBench5 Sysmark2004 3ds max Amporphium3, Lightwork, Cinebench Cinebench2003 Realtime Gaming Performance Final Words Your Comments Can Help Us Improve Our Reviews
DFI 855GME-MGF and Intel Pentium M 735 Along came a Dothan
(Review by MS, Jan 2, 2005)

Compatibility

Because of the low memory supply voltage, not all DIMMs would work with the 855 GME-MGF. At 1:1, there were hardly any problems, however, keep in mind that the PSB can handle 3200 MB/s (at 400 MHz) which is badly starved by the single memory channel delivering no more than 1600 MB/s in synchronous mode. Increasing the memory ratio to 5:3 (DDR333) partially solves the problem, however, the higher ratio limits overclocking to whatever frequency the memory is capable of doing. Keep in mind that at 133/533 MHz PSB, the memory frequency is already at 221 MHz in a 5:3 mode. We targeted that frequency since the 533 MHz bus is officially used in a number of notebooks and the goal of the benchmarks in the following was to provide performance numbers that are within - at least theoretical - specs.

The zero-delay Inphi clock buffer warrants precision timing, even at low voltage.

Of all modules we tested, some older Mushkin Level II DIMMs (BH5, 256 MB density) POSTed at 221 MHz but even those would not get past the initial boot screen. The only modules that worked without any issues were OCZ ZB DIMMs (Samsung TCCD components, 512 MB module density) which allowed to run with 1 GB system memory total at 221 MHz. Because of the 2.5V supply voltage, it was necessary to relax the timings a bit to 2:3:3:6 - most applications would run at 2:3:2:5 but some decompression (3DMark05 install file) gave CRC errors at tRP=2). DIMMs with known high power demands, especially those with parasitic LEDs would not POST at that frequency.

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