Hazarding guesses about the future of computer technology is a precarious business, but we've already seen 2006 bearing out some of our earlier predictions. For example, we know AMD will move to DDR2 in a few short months -- since it's too late for them to gracefully back out of that commitment. Plans like these made it easier to foresee the expanded availability of DDR2-800 CAS4. Sure enough, with its finger on the pulse of enthusiasts, OCZ Technology has stepped up to satisfy growing, near-term demand with its PC2-6400 Enhanced Latency modules. These are, of course, already supported by the latest Pentium 4 chipsets.

Sporting CAS4 latencies at an impressive 800MHz data rate, can this 1GB kit offer the performance punch needed to please power users … while still delivering value on the high-end?

OCZ's XTC modules employ a unique heatspreader designed to increase convectional airflow and surface area for improved heat dissipation. For those of the opinion that heatspreaders are meant purely for beautification, a platinum-plated honeycomb pattern indeed offers substantial "bling factor".

This Enhanced Latency version of OCZ'a PC2-6400 offers timings of 4-5-4-15 at 2.1v, a voltage level that reaches into overclocking territory. OCZ's warranty supports the use of up to 2.2v, but that doesn't seem much range for modules that require 2.1v from the outset.