Power Memory International is a new brand of high-end memory for AnandTech, but PMI has been producing memory modules and IC components since 1990. Where the primary focus in the past has been OEM parts, PMI is now attempting to break into the memory module market with their own brands. The company shows a product line that includes desktop DDR and SDRAM memory, notebook memory, CTML-certified server memory, and their newest "Turbo Memory" for the computer enthusiast. The PMI line also shows memory module sizes up to 1GB.

One of the problems with new brands is getting attention from the computer press. PMI has been trying very hard to garner that attention by producing some of the fastest rated memory modules that you can buy. PMI calls this their "Turbo Memory" series.

DDR 566 PC-4500 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4500-512DG 512MB 3-4-4-8 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4500-512DP 512MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum

DDR 550 PC-4400 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4400-1024DG 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Gold PMI4400-512DG 512MB 3-4-4-8 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4400-1024DP 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum PMI4400-512DP 512MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum

DDR 533 PC-4200 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4200-1024DG 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Gold PMI4200-512DG 512MB 3-4-4-8 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4200-1024DP 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum PMI4200-512DP 512MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum

DDR 500 PC-4000 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4000-1024DG 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Gold PMI4000-512DG 512MB 3-4-4-8 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI4000-1024DP 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum PMI4000-512DP 512MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum

DDR 466 PC-3700 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3700-1024DG 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Gold PMI3700-512DG 512MB 3-4-4-8 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3700-1024DP 1024MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum PMI3700-512DP 512MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum

DDR 433 PC-3500 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3500-1024DG 1024MB 2-3-3-7 Gold PMI3500-512DG 512MB 2-3-3-7 Gold PMI3500-1024DGH 1024MB 2.5-3-3-7 Gold PMI3500-512DGH 512MB 2.5-3-3-7 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3500-1024DP 1024MB 2-3-3-7 Platinum PMI3500-512DP 512MB 2-3-3-7 Platinum PMI3500-1024DPH 1024MB 2.5-3-3-7 Platinum PMI3500-512DPH 512MB 2.5-3-3-7 Platinum

DDR 400 PC-3200 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3200-2048DGR 2048MB 3-3-3-8 Gold PMI3200-2048DG 2048MB 3-4-4-8 Gold PMI3200-1024DGL 1024MB 2-3-2-6 Gold PMI3200-1024DG 1024MB 2-3-3-6 Gold PMI3200-1024DGH 1024MB 2.5-3-3-7 Gold PMI3200-512DGL 512MB 2-3-2-6 Gold PMI3200-512DG 512MB 2-3-3-6 Gold PMI3200-512DGH 512MB 2.5-3-3-7 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI3200-2048DPR 2048MB 3-3-3-8 Platinum PMI3200-2048DP 2048MB 3-4-4-8 Platinum PMI3200-1024DPL 1024MB 2-3-2-6 Platinum PMI3200-1024DP 1024MB 2-3-3-6 Platinum PMI3200-1024DPH 1024MB 2.5-3-3-7 Platinum PMI3200-512DPL 512MB 2-3-2-6 Platinum PMI3200-512DP 512MB 2-3-3-6 Platinum PMI3200-512DPH 512MB 2.5-3-3-7 Platinum

DDR 333 PC-2700 Dual Channel Series
Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI2700-1024DGL 1024MB 2-2-2-5 Gold PMI2700-512DGL 512MB 2-2-2-5 Gold	Part Number  Size Latency Heat Spreader PMI2700-1024DPL 1024MB 2-2-2-5 Platinum PMI2700-512DPL 512MB 2-2-2-5 Platinum

The Turbo line includes memory from DDR333 to the DDR533 that we are testing here. However, with Corsair and OCZ producing DDR550 for bragging rights, PMI has just introduced DDR566 at CeBIT, which is the fastest rated memory that we have seen.

PMI4200 Gold

PMI provides the Turbo Memory in both Dual-Channel kits and as single-modules. They also provide each speed in Gold and Platinum ratings, much as OCZ uses for their memory modules.

The memory that we are testing is PMI4200-1024DG, or a Dual-Channel Gold kit rated at 3-4-4-8 timings. There is no doubt that PMI has done their homework, providing a very attractive and catchy heatspreader design in either gold or platinum with a raised PMI logo. That attention to detail also shows in the PMI website where product lines and compatibility charts are particularly easy to navigate. PMI is also getting their product into some well-known resellers like Atacom and New Egg to make it easier to find.

All of these things make it easier for buyers to find PMI memory, but in the end, any memory that targets the computer enthusiast is all about performance. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at PMI DDR533.

PMI4200 Gold Specifications

PMI4200 Gold Memory Specifications
Number of DIMMs & Banks	2 DS
DIMM Size Total Memory	512 Mb 1 GB
Rated Timings	3-4-4-8 at DDR533
Rated Voltage	2.7V

PMI provides compatibility testing with many motherboards and provides that information at their website. They also use CTML memory certification testing, at least in their server memory series.

Performance Test Configuration

The Memory testbed for evaluating PMI4200 Gold is the same used in our earlier reviews of DDR500 and other High-Speed Memory.

Samsung PC3700: DDR466 Memory for the Masses
Kingmax Hardcore Memory: Tiny BGA Reaches For Top Speed
New Memory Highs: Corsair and OCZ Introduce DDR550
OCZ PC3700 Gold Rev. 2: The Universal Soldier
OCZ 4200EL: Tops in Memory Performance
Mushkin PC4000 High Performance: DDR500 PLUS
Corsair TwinX1024-4000 PRO: Improving DDR500 Performance
Mushkin & Adata: 2 for the Fast-Timings Lane
Searching for the Memory Holy Grail - Part 2

All test conditions were as close as possible to those used in our earlier memory reviews.

INTEL 875P Performance Test Configuration
Processor(s):	Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz (800MHz FSB)
RAM:	2 x 512MB PMI4200 Gold (DDR533 DS) 4 x 256MB Samsung PC3700 (DDR466 SS) 2 x 512MB Kingmax DDR500 Hardcore Series (DS) 2 x 512MB Kingmax DDR466 Hardcore Series (DS) 2 x 512MB Corsair XMS4400v1.1 TwinX (DS) 2 x 512MB OCZ PC4400 DC Kit (DS) 2 x 512MB OCZ PC3700 Gold Rev. 2 (DS) 2 x 512MB OCZ 4200EL(DS) 2 x 512MB Mushkin PC4000 High Performance (DS) 2 x 512MB Corsair TwinX4000 PRO (DS) 2 x 512MB Mushkin Level II PC3500 (DS) 2 x 256MB Adata DDR450 (SS) 2 x 512MB Adata PC4000 (DS) 2 x 512MB Corsair PC4000 (DS) 2 x 512MB Geil PC4000 (DS) 4 x 256MB Kingston PC4000 (SS) 2 x 256MB Kingston PC4000 (SS) 2 x 512MB OCZ PC4000 (DS) 4 x 256MB OCZ PC3700 GOLD (DS)
Hard Drives	2 Western Digital Raptor Serial ATA 36.7GB 10,000 rpm drives in an Intel ICH5R RAID configuration
PCI/AGP Speed	Fixed at 33/66
Bus Master Drivers:	875P Intel INF Update v5.00.1012, SATA RAID drivers installed, but IAA not installed
Video Card(s):	ATI 9800 PRO 128MB, 128MB aperture, 1024x768x32
Video Drivers:	ATI Catalyst 4.1
Power Supply:	Vantec Stealth 470Watt Aluminum
Operating System(s):	Windows XP Professional SP1
Motherboards:	Asus P4C800-E (875) with 1015 Release BIOS

Since PMI rates the memory at DDR533, this memory is clearly aimed at the Intel user. Therefore, we only tested performance on our Intel test bed. We did verify that the PMI DIMMs would run on an Athlon 64 platform and had no problem running 2 DIMMs on the Athlon 64 platform at DDR400. However, we did have to lower CAS to 2.5 from 2.0 for best stability on the A64 platform. While this DDR533 memory will certainly run on A64, it is not a memory that we would choose for an Athlon 64 platform. DDR400 to DDR500 with faster memory timings would be a better choice for an Athlon 64 system.

Test Settings

The following settings were tested with PMI DDR533:

1. 800FSB/DDR400 - the highest stock speed supported on 875/865 and K8T800/nF3/SiS755 motherboards.
2. 1000FSB/DDR500 - the maximum speed that many current Intel 865/875 boards can achieve.
3. 1066FSB/DDR533 - the specified rating of the DDR533 memory modules.
4. Highest Stable Overclock - the highest settings we could achieve with this memory and other memory that we have tested.

These are the same general settings used in benchmarking other memory in the above list of memory tests. DDR400, DDR500, and Highest Memory Speed have been used for all benchmarking. DDR533 has only been tested in the past for modules with this speed rating.

Test Results

To test overclocked stability, we used the very demanding Gun Metal 2 - Benchmark 2, which pushes systems with its DX9 routines. To be considered stable for test purposes, Gun Metal, our Quake3 benchmark, UT2003 Demo, and Super PI had to complete without incident. Any of these 4, and in particular Super PI and Gun Metal, will crash a less-than stable memory configuration.

PMI4200 Gold - 2 x 512MB Double-Bank
Speed	Memory Timings & Voltage	Quake3 fps	Sandra UNBuffered	Sandra Standard Buffered	Super PI 2M places (time in sec)
400DDR 800FSB	2-3-3-6 2.75V	319.3	INT 2678 FLT 2742	INT 4463 FLT 4426	132
500DDR 1000FSB	2.5-3-4-7 2.75V	388.3	INT 3287 FLT 3292	INT 5543 FLT5467	107
535DDR 1066FSB	3-4-4-8 2.75V	410.6	INT 3413 FLT 3413	INT 5859 FLT 5841	101
543DDR 1086FSB	3-3-4-8 2.85V	416.2	INT 3716 FLT 3741	INT 5935 FLT 5933	99

The most important benchmark with any memory is that it is honestly rated and meets its specifications; PMI4200 Gold is certainly honestly rated at DDR533 at 3-4-4-8. However, for enthusiast memory, we usually find performance even better than the rated specification. Unlike most of the competition, PMI could not run any faster than its rated specs at DDR533. We were also able to reach DDR543 with a little more voltage, which shows some headroom with DDR533. However, this is, again, a small margin compared to comparable enthusiast memory from Corsair, OCZ, and Mushkin.

Performance Comparisons

Performance of the PMI DDR533 Gold was compared to all of the memory recently tested in:

Samsung PC3700: DDR466 Memory for the Masses
Kingmax Hardcore Memory: Tiny BGA Reaches For Top Speed
New Memory Highs: Corsair and OCZ Introduce DDR550
OCZ PC3700 Gold Rev. 2: The Universal Soldier
OCZ 4200EL: Tops in Memory Performance
Mushkin PC4000 High Performance: DDR500 PLUS
Corsair TwinX1024-4000 PRO: Improving DDR500 Performance
Mushkin & Adata: 2 for the Fast-Timings Lane
Searching for the Memory Holy Grail - - Part 2

Memory performance was compared at DDR400, DDR500 and the highest stable overclock we could achieve that would run Gun Metal 2 Benchmark 2, Quake 3, UT2003, and Super PI to 2MM places. Where the data was available, comparisons were also made at DDR53.

Results are compared for Quake 3, Sandra UNBufferred Memory Test, and Super PI. SiSoft Sandra 2004 reports 2 results for each memory test - an Integer value and a Float value. Results reported in our charts are the result of averaging the INT and FLOAT scores, which are normally close in value. In other words, INT and FLOAT scores were added and divided by 2 for our reported score.

DDR400 Performance

DDR500 Performance

DDR533 Performance

Highest Memory Speed Performance

Final Words

It is very clear that PMI has borrowed from the competition with their DDR533 Gold. PMI4200 Gold appears in almost every way to be a copy of OCZ memory. This applies to packaging, memory names, and even little things like the package insert and lifetime warranty wording. A close look at the PCB's indicates PMI is also likely using the same PCB OCZ is using for DDR533 memory. If copying is the sincerest form of flattery, as the old saying goes, then OCZ should be very flattered. For a new high-end memory company, however, copying a high-end memory supplier like Corsair, OCZ, or Mushkin is not necessarily a bad thing. Buyers are familiar with things that are already working, and PMI is showing a willingness to chart new territory with their introduction of DDR566, which is currently the fastest memory that we have seen.

PMI4200 Gold is honestly rated and performs with complete stability at its rated speed and timings. It also performs very well at DDR400 with 2-3-3-6 timings at 2.7V. This is not faint praise for a new name in performance memory. If performance of the PMI DDR533 that we tested is typical of the PMI memory line, then you should have no problem achieving the rated performance of PMI memory modules.

However, any memory that calls itself Turbo with the computer enthusiast as the target must be compared to the best available. Compared to similar memory from OCZ, Corsair, and Mushkin, we found that PMI does not have quite the headroom or timing margin flexibility exhibited by the best of the competition. This could be nothing more than how PMI chooses to rate their memory, since PMI's ratings are a little more aggressive than the competition. In this case, PMI533 performs like many of the very best DDR500 modules that we have tested.

Another way to say the same thing is that PMI binning, or speed grading during chip testing, is not quite up to the standards of the best of the competition. PMI is definitely on the right track and the memory is a solid performer, but most enthusiasts would prefer a little more headroom.

PMI memory proved solid and reliable in all our benchmarks, and certainly PMI has entered the high-end memory market with a bang. While it is not quite the equal in performance timings or headroom with the best from Mushkin, OCZ, and Corsair, it is a very competitive product in the high-end memory market. The early pricing that we have seen also indicates PMI plans to price their "Turbo Memory" aggressively. A great price could turn average high-end performance into an outstanding value.