Corsair TwinX1024-4000 PRO: Improving DDR500 Performance
by Wesley Fink on September 15, 2003 10:36 PM EST- Posted in
- Memory
Test Results
To test overclocked stability, we used the very demanding Gun Metal 2 — Benchmark 2, which pushes systems with its DX9 routines. To be considered stable for test purposes, Gun Metal, our Quake3 benchmark, UT2003 Demo, and Super PI had to complete without incident. Any of these 4, and in particular Super PI and Gun Metal, will crash a less-than stable memory configuration.| Corsair TwinX1024-4000PRO — 2 x 512Mb Double-Bank | |||||
| Speed | Memory Timings & Voltage |
Quake3 fps |
Sandra UNBuffered | Sandra Standard Buffered |
Super PI 2M places (time in sec) |
| 400DDR 800FSB |
2-3-3-5 2.65v |
322.33 | INT 2847 FLT 2832 |
INT 4847 FLT 4806 |
130 |
| 500DDR 1000FSB |
2.5-3-4-6 2.75v |
395.9 | INT 3282 FLT 3312 |
INT 5920 FLT 5973 |
105 |
| 539DDR 1078FSB |
3-3-4-7 2.85v |
422.00 | INT 3559 FLT 3543 |
INT 6311 FLT 6313 |
99 |
The new Corsair 4000 PRO performed significantly better than its rated 3-4-4-8 specification. In fact, at DDR400, it allowed the fastest timings we have seen with DDR500 memory, which is a remarkable accomplishment.
According to information provided by Corsair, the SPD on the XMS4000PRO modules sets the best timings for the memory speed settings. While the Corsair SPD settings at DDR500 and 539 provided performance that was similar to our tests, the Corsair timings for DDR400 were far too relaxed. For best performance at DDR400 to DDR450 range, you should manually set memory timings.
We do not know whose memory modules Corsair is using in these new 4000 PRO modules. The new cast aluminum heatsink is glued to the memory modules using thermal adhesive. There is also the added complexity of the top LED’s, which makes it very difficult to look at the memory chips without destroying the module. Corsair has not told us the chips used, and it appears they do not want end-users snooping at what many in the memory industry regard as trade secrets.
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Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
Witness the only two paragraphs that have the word univeral: I got excited thinking they may work in the place of DDR2.However, if you want it all — great timings at DDR400, top performance at DDR500, and a reasonable compromise on the top overclock you can achieve above DDR500 — then Corsair TwinX1024-4000PRO should be your choice. The Corsair CMX512-4000PRO modules and the matched modules in the TwinX kit are the only DDR500 that we have tested that come close to Universal High-Speed memory for the 865/875 platform. They even make sense for Athlon fans who want decent DDR400 performance now and a hedge for that future Socket 939 that will handle regular unbuffered memory.
We have heard that Corsair 4000 PRO is the first of many “Universal” modules that will soon appear from other manufacturers and that is certainly great news. But for now, Corsair 4000 PRO is the only Universal high-speed memory.
Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
if you guis can get an ocz pc4000 gold i believe it will support CAS2 i ddr400 and will outperform corsair xms4000pro in ddr400. at the same, time it will most probably overclock better than the corsair. And btw, i will be very glad to see Geil pc-4200 ddr533 in this coparison.Wesley Fink - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
Corsair has just emailed AnandTech with additional information:"All our 4000 modules use the same Hynix die, which are the fastest die available currently. Our 3200C2 ProSeries modules use 5ns rev.C Winbond chips."
We have been told by other sources that Hynix has a new high-speed chip, and it appears Corsair is the first to use it in production memory.
Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
In my humble opinion these memory types are getting a little bit too much attention. Nobody really needs them at about three times the regular price level. Granted, many will still be excited about these thing regardless of their actual needs. No offense intended. :)Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
When do you think you will be able to get a sample of OCZ PC4000 Gold for review?Wesley Fink - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
Why it is "Universal" High-Speed memory is explained in the review. The Corsair 4000PRO is the first memory rated DDR500 that can also run CAS 2 at DDR400, and compete with the fastest DDR400 memory available.We supply several price-check links on the Anand-Tech page. We also do periodic updates of BEST prices and memory is now included in those updates. Since launch prices are often higher and prices fluctuate over time, we rarely mention a specific price in a review.
Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
Ummm, wesley, what makes the memory "universal" ?Currently, Spartan technologies lists these on pricewatch as $217 for a 512mb stick and $427 for a twinx of 2*512mb. I am always suspicious of reviews where the price is never mentioned .