Corsair TWINX Platinum Series PC-3200 512MB DDR Memory Review
So you want to start overclocking but you don’t know where to start. Well Corsair has been producing high-performance memory since 1994 and have been sought out by overclockers. Today we are going to take a ride with Corsair’s latest offering. The Corsair TWINX PC-3200 512MB DDR Memory Modules!
About Corsair (Off Corsair’s web site)
“Corsair memory is specifically designed for rock-solid performance in the most demanding of applications. Data lines are specifically designed for noise immunity; clock lines are optimized for minimum skew. All modules use impedance-controlled printed circuit boards, with 30 micro-inches of selectively plated gold to ensure a proper interface with the DIMM socket.
Corsair has many years of experience in qualifying high-performance memories, and has developed a knowledge base and track record which is among the best in the industry. Corsair also has strict standards for product qualification; any changes in design, bill-of-materials, and/or supplier, must be re-qualified prior to shipment to end customers. These high standards, while somewhat time consuming, have resulted in a very robust product, with extremely few failures, returns, or compatibility problems.
Corsair's Compatibility Lab also tests our memory for compatibility with major system platforms, including motherboards from all the industry leaders. Our web site provides an up-to-date reference on which memory is the best fit for which motherboard. Careful memory qualification is required to help eliminate the uncertainty of the interactions between different components in a given computer system. Corsair has implemented a qualification procedure that is among the most stringent in the industry. While such a strong qualification procedure cannot eliminate risk entirely, it ensures that the parts are as robust as possible, and are suitable for today's mission-critical applications.”
The Corsair TWINX PC3200 modules arrived to us in the usual corrugated UPS shipping box filled with pink Styrofoam bits to protect the memory from any damage. The memory came in a plastic package that was nicely done with review awards on the back. The Corsair TWINX we are taking a look at today are the new PLATINUM series and that is reflected off the memory heat spreaders. The heat spreaders are aluminum, which is used to dissipate heat and keep the ram cool at high FSB. The memory sticks also looked really cool and that is shown if you have a side window.
The Corsair memory has a holographic sticker that tells you the model number and some SPD timings.
Specifications
Part
Number: TWINX512-3200LL
Speed: 400MHz
Size: 512MB
Organization: 2x32Mx64
Package: 2x184 DIMM
CAS Latency: 2-3-2-6 (CAS-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Memory Type: Twin Modules
RAM Type: 32Mx8
Testing
Testing will consist of running the Corsair TWINX modules on the following system setup found on this page. Since we had our CPU unlocked we have elected to show you some images of the process and some results from SisoftSandra MAX 3. Both CPU and Memory benchmarks. All results were at the multiplier of 8 and we had to raise the FSB to 200MHz to run both the ram and CPU in sync mode. The memory timings were of those that of the SPD.
Results
We will be adding the following benchmarks...(in order)
- Sisoft Sandra MAX3 CPU Arithmetic
- Sisoft Sandra MAX3 Memory Bandwith
- 166MHz FSB(all in sync), 171MHz FSB, 177MHz FSB, 183MHz FSB, 188MHz FSB, 193MHz FSB, 200Mhz FSB and 203FSB.
- WCPUID (selected FSB to show)
166MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
166MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
171MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
171MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra Memory Bandwith
177MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
177MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
183MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
183MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
188MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
188MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
193MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
193MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
200MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
200MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
200MHz FSB WCPUID
203MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic
203MHz FSB of Ram and CPU - Memory Bandwith
203MHz FSB WCPUID
As you can see the ram when at 200MHz (400MHz DDR) did not reach 3000 MB/s. It did when at 203MHz FSB. It could be because of the motherboard because when I booted at 200MHz FSB the motherboard read it at 199MHz. Although WCPUID read it correctly at 200MHz. Another possible reason why it did not reach 3000 is because maybe it needs more conditioning. I don't really know yet. When I do I will put it in the forums...see below. The memory is fast anyhow and had no problems.
Conclusion
The Corsair TWINX Platinum Series PC-3200 512MB DDR Memory modules are great ram for overclocking. Throughout tests it was stable and had no problems. If you are looking for some great ram sticks for your Dual Channel nForce 2 motherboard, give these Corsair modules a look!
I rate the Corsair TWINX Platinum Series PC-3200 512MB DDR Memory a…
9/10!
Pros and Cons
+
High Performance
+ Heat spreaders
+ Already pre-tested by Corsair to run on Dual Channel
+ Timings
+ The Corsair name
- Price and faster ram is already out
I will be opening up a Overclocking post with this ram in the forums so be sure to check that out.
I would like to thank Corsair for making this review possible. Visit them at www.corsairmicro.com for more products and information.
