Corsair XMS

[tgxiii]

What can you guys say about Corsair XMS memory? I plan to buy a set of PC3200 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=TWINX512%2D3200C2) for my Abit IS7 (865PE chipset).

This one has 2-3-3-6-1T timings as opposed to the better ones with 2-3-2-6-1T.

[Someone Stupid]

The tighter the timings the better, but not by much, especially with Intel, they don't need as tight of timings due to architecture. I use Corsair XMS 3200PT2 and I can get the 3200LL timings with a slight vdimm raise.

Exellent RAM either way you go.

[tgxiii]

Glad to hear. I'm on a tight budget and really can't afford to go for the LL, even though it's only an extra $25 or so.

[Someone Stupid]

I have a couple sticks which will run 2-2-2-5 at 2.65 (2.5 is stock) in my main rig, they are running at stock mhz though, If I used three sticks total, I would always wind up needing 2.77 to 2.9 to keep 2-2-2-5 timings at 422 no matter the sticks used (AMD system obviously) - and did so for a couple months before backing it down due to northbridge problems. 2.77 was fine for all but overnight memory loops, 2.9 was needed for stability in that, so that's what it ran at for quite awhile. The 3200PT is durable, and that was when 3200 was somewhat new, not brand new though. 3200PT2 is classified as cas 2.5 ram actually, but can run at 3200 at Cas 2 stable, just the autodetect will set it for looser timings at 2.5, well at least with my sticks (IIRC 2.5-4-4-8). I'm assuming the newer sticks (within the past 6 months at least) are Cas 2 default, but I can't say with any certainty. Either way, it's just a simple bios adjustment, but it does tell you that you'll have some limited overhead before you start having to loosen timings or loosen the cas to 2.5 to 3 if your really pushing it.

[causticVapor]

I have some XMS3200 with winbond BH-6 chips. The ability of most modules is determined primarily by the chip stepping, and to a lesser (but still important) extent the PCB's ability to reduce noise and motherboard signal quality. With corsair and the IS7, I don't think the latter two problems will be an issue.

I'm able to run 2-3-3-8 at 2.9v, 220MHz with BH-6, on my nForce2 platform. While scores are not much higher than those at 200MHz, there still exists a small boost in performance necessary for encoding tasks and such..:)

[tantone]

I have the TWINX1024-3200C2PT and it's running at 2-3-3-6. Excellent stuff!!!!

[tgxiii]

I just noticed that there's a TWINX1024-3200C2 PRO, but I couldn't find the PRO one at Corsair's website. What's the difference between that and the non-PRO or the LL?

[Someone Stupid]

Sounds like a renaming deal that is all. I imagine the Pro ram is just the LL's, though that is purely speculation.