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Corsair TwinX 1024MB XMS3700
Review Date: October 25, 2003
Reviewed by: Dwayne Sessom
Sponsored by: Corsair
When it comes to gaming, there are really three PC components that are vital to rendering your games at their maximum potential. The video card, CPU and system memory, pretty much in that order. However, some of the more recent games like Battlefield 1942 use very large textures. On a system with 256 and even 512 megabytes of system memory, the map load times can be unbearably looooong. So in my opinion, memory and CPU have traded places recently in order of importance.
This is where having 1 gigabye or more of fast RAM can really make a difference. There are several variables concerning memory that will have an impact on your overall system performance;
- Total amount of memory
- Single/Dual channel operation.
- RAM timings
With the introduction of the i875 and i865 chipsets for Intel Pentium4 processors (Canterwood and Springdale), we finally witnessed the real potential of Dual channel memory because the Pentium4 is, by design, a memory bandwidth hungry CPU.
The graph below show exactly what I am talking about. The AMD system is a 1700+ JUIHB running at 200FSB, and the Intel system is a P4 3.0C running at 200FSB, so the FSB is exactly equal:
Not to worry AMD fans, the new Athlon64 and AthlonFX do take full advantage of Dual channel memory and perform just as well if not a little better than the Pentium4 Northwood.
Now with that in mind, lets see what Corsair's TwinX1024 3700 can do...
About Corsair:
Since 1994, Corsair has earned a reputation of consistently being first to market with quality leading-edge products that support new computing platforms and technologies. Each stick of Corsair memory is specifically designed for rock-solid performance in the most demanding of applications. Corsair has a long history of cooperation, qualification and collaborative testing with the major motherboard and systems manufacturers, and are often first to market with reliable memory for the latest systems.
Click for larger view.
Features:
- Two 512MB Matched XMS modules for optimal Dual channel operation.
- Rated 466Mhz at 3-4-4-8 timings.
- Platinum color heat spreader for better heat dissipation.
- Tested and packaged in pairs.
- Lifetime warranty.
Unlike most memory that comes in minimal packaging or no packaging at all, Corsair TwinX memory comes in a very nice and easy to open package. They list the memory specs, as well as other valuable info like quotes and URLs from reviews like this one right on the package so there is no doubt about what you are buying. From a consumer standpoint, this is a very nice product feature in itself!
Click for larger view.
After opening the package, the quality of this memory very apparent. XMS memory comes with black or platinum colored (aluminum) heat spreaders. This allows the memory to run at higher speeds than memory without heat spreaders, by dissipating heat generated by the memory chips on the PCB. The heat speaders are held on very firmly by metal clips. So much so that I changed my mind when I tried to remove them to look at the actual memory chips.
Click for larger view.
A closer examination of the modules shows the XMS label which lists the exact memory specs; XMS3700 - 512MB - 466MHz, and each pair of TwinX modules have a printed matching batch number on them. This pair is labled 00327740.
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