PC3200 DDR Memory Shootout - PC3200 DDR Memory Shootout

PC3200 DDR Memory Shootout

Products:

• Corsair XMS3200v1.1 C2 256MB DDR-RAM

• GeIL PC3200 512MB DDR-RAM

• Xtreme DDR PC3200 256MB DDR-RAM

Written by: Chad (Memphist0)
Reviewed:  October, 2002
Edited by: Mack (SPeeD)

More Test Setup Stuff
None of the memory could hit 400MHz with the most aggresive CAS settings.  Normally, I would have only shown what could have been achieved at those settings but as I noticed during my *cough* research there is much difference between CAS 2-5-2-2 and CAS 2-6-3-3 as you can see below.  The first image is at CAS 2-5-2-2 and the second at CAS 2-6-3-3.

Sandra shows hardly a difference between the two, just over 1%.  For the sake of you all that want the absolute best CAS settings and the others that want the highest memory bus speeds both results have been shown with the product description.

The Contestants

Corsair XMS3200 v1.1 (CMX256 A-3200 C2)

"The CMX256A-3200C2 is a 256 MByte, single bank, ultra-performace DDR SDRAM DIMM screened specifically for gaming applications.  This part has been selected by our Compatibility Lab for its outstanding performance in motherboards commonly used in gaming rigs.  This memory has been verified to operate at 200 MHz (2-3-3, 1T command rate) and 166 MHz (2-2-2, 1T comand rate).  Side-by-side comaprison indicates that this is one of the fastest DDR moduleas available in the world."

• 256 Megabytes of memory

• Implemented using 32M x 8 DDR SDRAMs with 6.0 nanosecond access time

• 100% tested at 200 MHz in high performance motherboards

• Integrated aluminum heat spreader for improved thermal performance

• Benchmarked over multiple chip sets, processors and motherboards

• Legendary Corsair reliability and service

• Lifetime Warranty

• Each module is tested in either Epox EP-8K3A and/or Asus P4S333 at 185 MHz

• Tested at CAS latency of two cycles (2-3-3), command rate of 1T

• SPD programmed at proposed JEDEC values for PC2700 (PC3200 not defined by JEDEC

Corsair is one of those long time, relatively speaking, memory manufacturers in the overclocking community.  They are known to make a high performing stable product.  The heat spreaders they use however are a little cheap looking.  In fact they appear to be identical to the after market ones you can buy from Thermaltake.  The package the RAM arrived in is you typical cheap thin plastic blister pack.  Not one of my favorites knowing how UPS handles packages.  Well lets see how she performs.

CAS 2-5-2-2 "enhanced"

2.5v - 173MHz (346MHz DDR)

2.8v - 173MHz (346MHz DDR)

CAS 2-6-3-3 "enhanced"

2.5v - 220MHz (440MHz DDR)

2.7v - 220MHz (440MHz DDR)

Next: PC3200 DDR Memory Shootout >>
 

More Memory Articles
More By Memphist0