OCZ Technology unveiled its first DDR2 SDRAM modules with 800MHz speed, following Corsair Memory, who announced similar product two weeks ago. Additionally, OCZ unleashed its a series of DDR2 modules targeted specifically at gamers and offered at more or less affordable price, according to the company.

OCZ’s newly unveiled DDR2 PC2-6400 Gold Series modules are able to operate at 800MHz clock-speed with CL5 5-5-8 latencies with 1.8V voltage – more aggressive latency settings and lower voltage compared to Corsair’s products rated for the same frequency. The 800MHz memory modules from OCZ are available in 512MB and 1GB sticks and in 1GB and 2GB matched dual-channel optimized pairs. Pricing of DDR2 PC2-6400 Gold Series memory products is unclear.

It remains to be seen how CL5 timings affect performance in real-world applications; DDR2 memory at 533MHz used to demonstrate performance similar to that provided by DDR SDRAM at 400MHz due to far more aggressive latency settings of the latter in spite of tangibly increased clock-speed of the former. DDR2 SDRAM modules at about 667MHz with shrunk latencies may end up as serious competitors to 800MHz devices with increased timings.

“OCZ’s new lineup of gold DDR2 modules are specifically designed to address the demanding environments of serious gamers. Gamers will experience superior performance when playing all the latest games, unprecedented data bandwidths, and enhanced thermal performance with our superior copper heatspreaders. These Gold modules truly represent the optimal balance of high-end gaming performance and value,” said Alex Mei, VP of Marketing, OCZ Technology, Inc.

Apart from DDR2 PC2-6400, the new DDR2 Gold Series offers 533MHz (OCZ DDR2 PC2-4200 Gold) and 667MHz (OCZ DDR2 PC2-5400 Gold) memory modules with CL3 3-3-8 and CL4 4-4-8 timings. The modules operate at 1.8V, but feature OCZ’s Extended Voltage Protection that allows to boost module’s voltage setting up to 2.2V without losing the lifetime warranty.

Just like Corsair’s XMS2 6400 products, OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Gold Series are intended strictly for overclocking, as even NVIDIA’s nForce4 SLI Intel Edition core-logic officially supports only dual-channel 667MHz DDR2 memory. Furthermore, as another memory maker indicated, few mainboards powered by Intel’s current premier 925X and 925XE chipsets can function stably with 750MHz memory. Corsair said it could reach 800MHz DDR2 memory speed even on NVIDIA’s reference nForce4 SLI Intel Edition mainboard, which may be an pointer that the company’s latest chipset suits well for enthusiasts, who push their computers to the limits by overclocking processors, memory sub-systems and graphics cards.

Later this quarter Intel Corp. is projected to release its 955X and 945P/G chipsets that officially support dual-channel 667MHz memory, up from dual-channel 533MHz DDR2 supported by current i925X and i925XE core-logic sets, which may add some options to overclockers seeking for Intel Pentium-based platforms.

Exact pricing of OCZ’s DDR2 Gold Series may vary depending on the retailer.