| Corsair TwinX 1024 PC3200XL Memory - Page 2 of 2 |
Benchmarking:
For comparison, the Corsair memory was tested against the Kingston HyperX already installed in the system. To make things fair, both memory modules were tested at the same FSB and timings. Because the Corsair memory had better timings we expected it to win in the majority of the tests. It was surprising to see the Kingston at 200x10 with the aggressive Corsair 2-2-2-5 timings actually outperform or tie the Corsair in our benchmarks. Although the Kingston did well at 200MHz, I didn't have luck getting it up to 220MHz regardless of the timings. Therefore, most of the benchmarks include only the Corsair results.
The fastest timings of the Corsair were used for both memory modules. 200Mhz (DDR400): 2-2-2-5, 220MHz (DDR440): 2.5-3-3-6, and 240MHz (DDR480): 2.5-3-3-6
The following benchmarks tools were used in testing:
• SiSoft Sandra Pro 2004 Memory Benchmark (Integer)
• SiSoft Sandra Pro 2004 Memory Benchmark (Float)
• CPUID's PC Wizard Ram Benchmark
• Futuremark's PC Mark 2002 Memory Benchmark
• Futuremark's 3d Mark 2003 Video Benchmark
SiSoft Sandra is often used to compare your system components against other components already benchmarked in the program's database. The results are represented in MB/s and are obtained by calculating the speed at which the memory can read and write large chunks of data. The "Integer" results of the benchmark are displayed below.
Here are the "Float" results obtained from SiSoft Sandra. It's interesting to note the Corsair and Kingston tie at 200x10 with 2-2-2-5 timings.
Next, we used CPUID's PC Wizard Ram Benchmark (also measured in MB/s). Once again note that at 200x10 the Corsair and Kingston tie. But the Kingston can't even handle a FSB of 220, which the Corsair handles with ease. Even more impressive is the 240 FSB the Corsair attains. Note the ~20% performance gain in memory performance the Corsair yields when going from a FSB of 200 to 240.
Next we used Futuremark's PC Mark 2002 to test the Corsair TwinX. The results are represented by "Marks," with more being better. A 16% improvement is achieved from 200 to 240MHz FSB. Usually, memory tested at BigBruin is also benchmarked using PC Mark 2004. This was attempted but with Windows Media Player 10 (WMP10) installed and the software requiring WMP9, the associated video tests could not be completed. Without these tests the software would not provide any useful results.
Another Futuremark Benchmark tool common in the industry is 3D Mark 2003. This tool is commonly used to gauge the overall performance of a computer. Tests consider overall processor speed, memory bandwidth, and video card performance. Surprisingly, in this benchmark the 200MHz Kingston beat the 200MHz Corsair by just under 100 Marks. Please note the 4% performance increase as the FSB is increased from 200 to 240.
Conclusion:
The Corsair TwinX 1024-3200XL Memory performs great at its advertised speeds, with a front-side-bus of 200MHz and aggressive (2-2-2-5) timings. Using the (2-2-2-5) timings and changing nothing else this memory operated error free up to 214MHz. A modest RAM voltage of 2.8V allows this memory to fly. Even at a FSB of 240MHz it still maintains respectable (2.5-3-3-6) timings.
A search of Pricegrabber shows you can find this memory for roughly $260 from online retailers such as: ZipZoomFly, mWave, Newegg, Spartan, and I Squared Inc. Considering our test results, and the current price of comparable Crucial Ballistix and Kingston HyperX low latency DDR, the price seems very fair. As mentioned earlier, you do get what you pay for!
Final Rating (5 out of 5 stars): 
Pros:
• Runs perfect at advertised 200FSB and aggressive 2-2-2-5 timings
• Stable (no errors) at 240FSB with 2.5-3-3-6
• It even looks good with reflective tape and black headspreaders
Cons:
• None
Special thanks to Corsair Memory for supplying the TwinX 1024 PC3200XL Memory to BigBruin.Com for review!
Please drop by the BigBruin.Com forum and feel free to discuss this review.
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