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 Posted: February 17, 2004
Author: Jason Kohrs
Manufacturer: Corsair
Source: Corsair
Corsair produces some of the most highly regarded, award winning system memory available to the performance computing enthusiast. Since their inception in 1994, their “focus has always been on supporting the special demands of mission-critical servers and high-end workstations, as well as the performance demands of extreme gamers.” The specifications on the Corsair TwinX1024-4000PRO matched memory pair sent to BigBruin.Com for this review suggest that they are no exception to this statement...
Specifications (as taken from the Corsair site):
Part Number: TwinX1024-4000PRO
Speed: XMS4000
Size: 1024MB
Latency: 3-4-4-8
Package: 2x184 DIMM
Heat Spreader: Black XMS Pro Series
The kit consists of two ‘matched’ sticks of CMX512-4000PRO memory from the XMS (Xtreme Memory Speed) line that feature a series of LED activity lights, definitely a feature you won’t find elsewhere. According to Corsair, the CMX512-4000PRO has been tested on an Intel 875P dual channel motherboard and confirmed to perform at DDR500 (250 MHz). Each stick boasts 512 Megabytes of memory, for a total of 1024 MB (1 GB) of high speed DDR ready to pump up your system’s performance. Despite this high performance memory being rated far beyond JEDEC standards (where DDR400 is the official maximum speed), Corsair is a member of JEDEC and follows their guidelines while testing these modules.
The TwinX1024-4000PRO kit is sold in the packaging shown below. Just a basic clear plastic case with each stick contained in its own ‘blister’. What struck me as odd is that there doesn’t seem to be any anti-static measures taken to protect the memory, as you just have each stick loose in a plastic shell (which is only snapped shut). In addition to the two sticks of memory, the package also contains a sheet of paper which features generic installation instructions and a list of awards and quotes attributed to various Corsair memory products.
Removed from the packaging, a quick physical inspection of the memory was conducted. The black heatspreader is attractive, featuring the XMS logo embossed into the metal, and it appears to be permanently attached. There is no sign of screws or clips, and I did not pursue removing the heatspreader as I was sure I would damage the function of the LED activity lights.
Each stick in the TwinX1024-4000PRO kit has two stickers identifying it with the Corsair logo in addition to providing the information captured below. The below left image simply shows the Corsair Pro Series information, but the below right image shows the portion of the sticker that details all of the key technical specifications. Model number, size, speed, and latency information is all available in a quick glance, as well as what may be a serial number.
 
As soon as I removed the Corsair modules from the packaging, I realized they were taller than your typical DDR, and the below image confirms this. As pictured, the one Corsair module is significantly taller than the stick of GeiL DDR400 underneath it. The LED activity lights contribute to this increased size, and I would suggest that owners of SFF (small form factor) or Mini-ITX systems interested in these modules make sure that they have clearance. A few cases recently reviewed at BigBruin.Com, such as the Morex Cubid 3688 and the Maxtop CSX-001, could pose issues with interference.
For this review, size wasn’t a factor, as they were installed in a full sized system detailed on the next page of this review.
Please read on to page two for more on the Corsair TwinX1024-4000PRO Memory... Next
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