With the emergence of the VIA Apollo KT333 chipset and other DDR333 chipsets 2700 DDR has taken off. Corsair was kind enough to send over a 512MB module of their XMS2700 DDR. XMS, or eXtreme Memory Speed, is the process that Corsair uses to take ICs rated at one speed and verify/guarantee their operation at another speed. Since specifications have not been generated to accurately specify operating parameters, Corsair gives these parts an XMS rating. For example, since PC2400 does not exist according to any valid standards institution, Corsair parts are called XMS2400.
Features
- 256 Megabytes of memory
- Implemented using 32M x 8 DDR SDRAMs with 6 nanosecond access time
- 100% tested at 185MHz in high performance motherboards
- Integrated aluminum heat spreader for improved thermal performance
- Benchmarked over multiple chipsets, processors and motherboards
- Legendary Corsair reliability and service
- Lifetime warranty
Test Specifications
- Each module is tested in either Epox EP-8K3A and/or ASUS P4S333 at 185MHz
- Tested at CAS latency of two cycles (2-3-3) with a command rate of 1T
- SPD programmed at proposed JEDEC values for PC2700 (PC3000 not defined by JEDEC)
All XMS2700 modules are tested before they are shipped out to guarantee that they are able to run at advertised speeds. Testing parameters for XMS2700 are as follows:
Motherboard make and model: Epox 8KHA+ and Asus P4S333
DRAM Clock: 166 MHz
RAS Precharge: 3
RAS-to-CAS Delay: 3
CAS Latency: 2
Command Rate: 1T
Memory Voltage:Â Motherboard default
The stick comes in a plastic container which would be good for display purposes, it is also more protected than if it was just in an anti static bag.
The Corsair XMS2700 comes with black heatspreaders which sport the Corsair logo, XMS technology, and website. As you can see this module is model #CMX512-2700C2. I really like that this RAM comes with heatspreaders, when you are overclocking add pump up the VDIMM it will help to dissipate heat and help you overclock higher.This particular module is double sided because its 512MB it would be a bad idea to have it single sided. Corsair does make single sided 256MB modules which have been seen to overclock a little better than double sided.
I will be testing this module on an EPoX 8K3A+ because it is the best KT333 motherboard that I have and I don’t have any Intel setups. I will be using SiSoft Sandra Professional to test this RAM.
Test Bed:
- EPoX 8K3A+
- 1.2Ghz Thunderbird
- Corsair 512MB XMS2700
- 3DPower Geforce 3
All of the benchmarks were done with all of the settings at the most aggressive, 2-2-2 1CMD and 4-way bank interleave and the DRAM clock was set at 166. At 133FSB the scores are not bad and I can tell that this RAM really wants to be overclocked.
I went ahead and bumped the FSB up to 166 and left the voltage at its default of 2.5v, I then booted up and everything went fine, even with all of the timings at the most aggressive and the voltage at default.
I then went for the highest FSB possible while keeping the overall CPU clock speed above stock. After trying different FSB with different voltages I finally got to what was the most stable and best. I was able to hit a FSB of 185 with a VDIMM of 2.9v all of the settings were still at the most aggressive.
After testing this RAM at the slowest settings I was only able to get a few more MHz out of it while keeping it stable so I decided not to benchmark because anyone who is serious about overclocking is not going to slow down the settings for a few more MHz and in the process loosing a lot of performance.
Conclusion
Corsair has really put a lot of work into making a product which is overclockable and that will perform like it says that it will. The EPoX 8K3A+ is known to have low memory scores and at a FSB of 200 the AGP tears, so with another motherboard I am sure that I would be able to get a lot better results. This module is able to run a lot faster and more aggressively than it is tested at and I am very impressed with how high this RAM would go.
If you are looking for some very good 2700 DDR I would really recommend this to you because of how well it performs. The only cons to this product is that it is a little expensive and that Corsair and other companies have already come out with 3000 and 32000 DDR which is able to overclock better than this 2700. Overall I am going to give this product a 9.5/10 and award it the OCmodshop Seal of Approval. I would really like to thank Robert from Corsair for sending me this module for review.
Pros
- Awesome overclocker
- Can handle high voltage
- Heatspreaders
- Able to perform better than specifications
Cons
- Kind of expensive
- XMS3000 and XSM3200 available