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, October 14, 2003 - link
I wonder at which Performance Mode you have run the OC conditions (500 and 539 FSB)?PAT disabled, Fast or Turbo?
Anonymous User - Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - link
dakost - Sunday, October 5, 2003 - link
These reviews should include the Twinmos Twister PC4000. This is reported to be able to do 2-2-3-6 at ddr400 at 2.75V and 2.5-3-3-6 (the only memory i have seen at 3-3 as ddr500) at ddr500 at 2.85V with the highest oc's at ddr530 at 2.5-3-3-8 at 2.85V.Anonymous User - Friday, September 19, 2003 - link
BH-5's are EOL this month...DragonReborn - Thursday, September 18, 2003 - link
I'm a little on the fence here. I have a watercooled setup with an IS7/2.4c combo and I was wondering what the best 2x 512 sticks of ram would be without killing the bank. I want to do some OC'ing so I was thinking of getting the Geil 4000 plat or Buffalo 3700 (BH-5 chips). Any reason to get another kind or not to get one of the ones I mentioned?? Thanks!Anonymous User - Thursday, September 18, 2003 - link
Man....all these comments seems pretty self promoting from ocz and geil... let the readers decide and choose.
Anonymous User - Thursday, September 18, 2003 - link
yes, but it is Geil platinium used in the test, that doesn't use WLCSP. and still the Golden Dragon series is good althernative for reducing the heat inside the case. And don't forget that Geil's Golden series last the first ddr500 modules back in March http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/memory/display/200303... though they didn't get available recently.Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - link
But Geil's memory OCed pretty nicely here - at least the sample Wes had did.Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - link
WLCSP is intended as a thermal solution and to date hasn't shown much promise in the enthusiast sector as it doesn't OC as well as TSOP's.Elite9 - Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - link
Why is nobody but Geil using WLCSP packaging on their DIMMS? I've seen it in notebooks, but it seems to be a great option for high-speed DRAM.