Corsair sent me a dual channel memory kit of their PC3200, specifically the TWINX1024-3200LL. This memory kit consists of two CMX512-3200LL 400MHz ultra-low-latency memory modules that have been tested together on an Nforce2-based dual-channel motherboard. Extra low latency settings maximize overall system performance when operating synchronously with the front side bus. Corsair has always been the best memory on the market when it comes to overclocking in my opinion. I got these modules a while back so don’t think that Corsair is behind the times. They actually just released some TWINX1024-4400 which is much faster than the modules I have. Below is a comparison chart of what the different speeds of RAM are.
| PC3200 | DDR400 | 200MHz |
| PC3500 | DDR433 | 216MHz |
| PC3700 | DDR467 | 223MHz |
| PC4000 | DDR500 | 250MHz |
| PC4400 | DDR550 | 275MHz |
Features
- Two CMX512-3200LL memory DIMMs
- Dual channel testing environment, 200MHz NForce2-based test setup
- Modules tested together in Asus A7N8X-based test setup
- Benchmarked using both Nforce2 and Intel “Granite Bay” chip sets
- Integrated aluminum heat spreader for improved thermal performance
- Legendary Corsair reliability and service
- Lifetime warranty
The memory I got came in plain brown box with the part number on the outside along with the Corsair XMS logo. When I opened up the box I found the matching pair of modules in the usual Corsair plastic containers.
As you can see both modules come with black aluminum heat spreaders to help dissipate the heat. Each module is a CMX512-3200LL making up the TWINX 1024MB set. The quality of this RAM is exceptional and I cant wait to see how it performs.
I will be testing this module on an Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 because it is the best socket A motherboard on the market right now in my opinion and supports dual channel memory. Benchmarking will be done using SiSoft Sandra 2004 Professional, 3DMark2001SE, Quake 3, Jedi Knight II, and Unreal Tournament 2003. All of the timings on the RAM will be set to 2-2-2 1T making it the fastest possible.
Test Bed:
- Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0
- 1800+ Thoroughbred
- 60GB Seagate Barracuda IV HDD
- 1024MB PC3200 Corsair TwinX
- XFX GeForceFX 5600 Ultra
- Koolcase’s Panther
- Plextor 40x12x40 CDRW
- Plextor PX-504A DVD+RW
- SilenX 400w PSU (review to come)
- AOpen AC7L2 heatsink (review to come)
SiSoft is one of the most used benchmarks to see what kind of memory bandwidth your system is outputting. All of the speeds were set to the fastest in the BIOS which were 2-2-2-5 1T so that I would get the best performance possible. At 133FSB the Int Buffered score was 2039 and the Float Buffered score was 1922. After kicking the FSB to 166 you can see a huge boost in the score. The Int buffered was 2546 and the float buffered was 2361. I was able to get the RAM to 215 FSB which gave me a result of 2988/2699, as you can see the scores are almost off the charts. I am really impressed with this RAM and if I were to lower the speed of the RAM I would be able to get the FSB even higher I’m sure.
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133FSB
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166FSB
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200FSb
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215FSB
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I also ran the CPU benchmark which will output the MIPS and MFLOPS for your CPU. Below is a screen shot from each FSB speed, even though some of the FSB are higher the scores are lower. This is because the total CPU speed is lower on some due to the fact that when overclocking a lot changes. If the total CPU speed and FSB were higher each time the score would increase each time.
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133FSB
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166FSB
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200FSb
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215FSB
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Sandra can also benchmark the multimedia ability of your system. This benchmark will output the Integer aEMMX/aSSE and Floating-Point results from your system. Again the same situation holds true where the results vary between the FSB because of the CPUs overall speed. There is a definite improvement though with each one from the stock 133FSB.
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133FSB
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166FSB
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200FSb
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215FSB
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With 3DMark2001SE you can see a huge improvement in performance when going from 133 FSB to 166 FSB. From 166 to 200 there is 437 point increase then another 58 points gained when going to 215FSB. The score difference between 133 and 166 FSB is really impressive. After getting to 200 and 215 FSB the overall score is really good however there was less of a noticeable change.
There is the same kind of large increase in performance with Jedi Knight II when going from 133 FSB to 166 FSB. Above 166FSB there is really no difference in frame rate, and would not be noticeable at all. You can truly see the difference while overclocking though.
With Quake 3 the increase is much less impressive when compared to 3DMark2001SE and Jedi Knight II. You can see the larger increase in frames per second when going from 133 to 166 FSB however it is not as good. After 166FSB the increase is not very evident like the testing with Jedi Knight II.
Unreal Tournament 2003 does a flyby and botmatch test when the benchmark runs, I used the benchmarking tool provided with the game. Once again the improvement between 133 and 166 FSB is large like with the other testing. Above 166 FSB the increase in frame rate is very low and would be unnoticeable if actually playing the game.
The way I always overclock is to get the highest possible FSB while keeping my system stable and increasing the overall speed of my CPU in MHz. With Abit’s 5-bit FID Override technology I was able to change the multiplier of my CPU without physically unlocking it. I finally maxed out my system at 1616MHz with a FSB of 215 and a multiplier of 7.5. The RAM was also set to the most aggressive timings which were 2-2-2-5 1T. This is the highest FSB that I have ever reached even with other systems being volt modded and watercooled.
Conclusion
If you know anything about overclocking I’m sure that you know Corsair is just about the best memory you can get. This review has once again proven this to be true with the exceptional results achieved. I was able to reach an exceptional 215 FSB which is the highest I have ever gotten this particular motherboard. Not only is the overclockability of this RAM extremely good but it was able to handle high voltages and comes with heatspreaders stock. There is nothing that I can really say that is negative about this RAM so I have no choice but to give it a 10/10 and award it the OCmodshop Seal of Approval. I would like to thank Corsair for sending this module over for review. Check out their website because they now have much faster modules available for you to get the highest overclock possible.
Pros
- Awesome overclocker
- Able to handle high VDIMM voltages
- Heatspreaders come stock
- Works great for dual channel applications
- Ran faster than the specified speeds
Cons
- None