Corsair TWINX memory: opinions?

[bigben2k]

Does anyone have any opinions on this (http://www.corsairmicro.com/main/PR_twinx.html) product?

I like the idea of matched RAM sticks, but is it really worth the premium, or would one be better off taking a chance and buying two sticks from the same batch?

Default values on Corsair TWINX512-3200LL is 6-2-2-2.

[Skulemate]

Well, I'm can run 5-2-2-2 @200MHz with my two 512Mb sticks of unmatched Twinmos PC3200, and they cost a great deal less than the Corsair, that's for sure. If you're quick, there's a guy named WScottCross that's selling this Twinmos memory with the Winbond BH-5 chips right now at AMDMB.com for below retail pricing... it's where I got mine (1Gb of PC3200 for approximately $300CAD, including shipping :eek: :drool: ).

[bigben2k]

Pretty good deal

thread here (http://www.amdforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206235&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)

[Skulemate]

Doesn't seem like there are many reading this... and if the link was for my benefit, thanks, but I already have mine ;)

Seriously though, it is a great deal for some great memory... Scott is a good guy to deal with too.

[Blackeagle]

Corsair is good stuff. I havn't tried the new LL type but have the reguler XMS and like it well. Is rather expensive though.

I've heard some good comments before on the TwinMoss sticks but have not used it.

[jtroutma]

This is how I see things personally. Corsair is taking the memory pieces and testing them together. If those pairs work at FSB higher than their rating while under extreme stress, then they lable them as TwinX units and you pay a preimium for their tests.

I presonally just make sure that I buy (2) identical sticks from the same place at the same time. That way (unless you get a dud stick) those two sticks should be able to work great together. I currently have (2) 256MB Corsair PC3500 sticks running @210FSB with 2-3-2-2 timmings. I have a slight instability that I am expereiencing but I am not sure if it is the CPU or the RAM timmings that are causing it. Still, even if I have to go to 2-4-2-2 timmings, that is some great RAM.

Corsair has provent to me time and again that it is worth the extra money to buy their products.

[bigben2k]

Tempting.

Scott has achieved 2-5-2-2 at 208 MHz.

I'm kinda stirring things up over there:D comparing with GeIl memory (not worth it).

I'm thinking about 2 * 256, but I know that it'll only be good for the next couple of years, so I'm thinking about making the jump to 2 * 512.

He's got PC3200 and PC3700, and knowing that I'll be OC'ing the he** out of an A7N8X dlx, I'm wondering if the PC3700 would be worth it.

Nah, I think I'll stick to plan A: 2 * 256 @ PC3200. If I can get it to 2-5-2-2 @ 208, that's good enough.

[Skulemate]

The two Twinmos sticks I bought are currently outperforming the Corsair sticks I had... and those were a pair of 256MB sticks, whereas these Twinmos are 512MB each. They're doing better timings at a lower voltage and with better stability (thus far anyways)... and they were much cheeper to boot. Don't get me wrong, I like Corsair memory myself... but this Twinmos is even better.

[EDIT] Ben, go with the 512MB sticks... you'll thank yourself later. It's my belief that the larger sticks will hold their value much better in the future.

[bigben2k]

I hate making last minute decisions... I know that I should get the 2 * 512.

What about PC3200 vs 3700?

[Skulemate]

There's no hurry really. As far as I know, Scott has already picked up three or four different batches of memory, with no end in sight.

About the 3200 vs. 3700 question... that's really up to you. I believe Shadco has got his Twinmos 3200 above 210MHz with some good timings. I guess it depends on how much overclock you're aiming for. Since I run this machine 24/7, my regular memory and FSB speeds are lower than the maximum they'll do, but it helps me with overall stability a lot... and SETI doesn't mind that much :p

[airspirit]

Always go with the highest rating/lowest timings you can afford. It ensures that you can push off upgrading down the road. If anything, it guarantees you lower timings, so if the price isn't that much higher it would be foolish to go with slower memory, however burly it may be.

I have XMS2700 I've pushed over 215FSB. XMS is worth the money because you KNOW that you're going to get better than advertised performance. Besides, you can get latest revision sticks of PC3200 for $60 (256MB), so why go generic?

[Skulemate]

Originally posted by airspirit
XMS is worth the money because you KNOW that you're going to get better than advertised performance.

I don't agree with that airspirit. In my experience I've found that the XMS memory does what they claim it will, but not a whole lot more. Their cas 2 timings are 2-5-3-3 as far as I can remember, and I had difficulty getting it stable at settings better than that when running at its stock speed (200MHz). Sure, relaxed timings will let you crank up your FSB a little, but I bet that most of their ram that does significantly better than PC3200 gets thrown in the 3500 bin. Also, what's with having to use a VDIMM of 2.8 to get the memory to run at its stock settings? I don't care if they guarantee to that voltage or not... it should be PC3200 at the default 2.6V.

[airspirit]

I have some PC2700 running at 186 FSB 2-2-2-3 at the moment with no issues. I built a box for a buddy with PC3200 that is running 220 2-2-2-4. Of course, all those are at 2.9V, but IMHO, 2.9 or lower is all the same to me. I don't care if it's running 2.5 or 2.9, as long as I don't have to modify the board and the RAM isn't getting too hot. I mean really: does it matter as long as it is doing the job well?

[airspirit]

I should mention that I'm running those timings on the PC2700 under Linux, which really doesn't like you fscking with the bus/timing speeds. That stuff is as stable as a rock.

[bigben2k]

All fine and dandy, but I'm on a budget, so I ordered 2 * 512 sticks of PC3200.

Now all I have to do, is get a mobo, CPU, VC, HDD...:D

[jtroutma]

BigBen:

You should not be disapointed.

I currently have (2) XMS PC3500 256MB running 210FSB w/ CAS 2-3-2-2 settings. I am even stress testing them at 215FSB w/ CAS 2-3-2-2 settings right now with great luck.

The resaons why I went with the 256MB vs 512MB is two fold.
1) The larger memroy sticks require more current (not necessarily voltage) in order to run them properly. Since I am already pulling a very large load on my 5V line, I didnt want to tempt fate. :)

2) Sometimes larger sticks dont tend to allways hit the highest FSB settings or RAM timmings. However there have been several people who have done just fine, so this point is negotiable.

Enjoy!!

[bigben2k]

Originally posted by jtroutma
The resaons why I went with the 256MB vs 512MB is two fold.
1) The larger memroy sticks require more current (not necessarily voltage) in order to run them properly. Since I am already pulling a very large load on my 5V line, I didnt want to tempt fate. :)
Enjoy!!
If I can get my PSU array up and running, power will not be an issue:D :D :D

[Blackeagle]

Do Twinmoss RAM sticks of PC 3200 or PC 3700 come with heat spreaders on them, or bare allowing you to install your own choice for cooling?

[bigben2k]

They're bare.

[Blackeagle]

Thanks Ben,

Glad to hear that, I don't care for the idea of paying for the heat spreaders. Those things are put on with pads and don't help all that much. I'd rather buy the RAM bare & add some small finned heat sinks with thermal epoxy if I decide I want it cooled.

By the way, I found a slightly better price of $138.00 per 512 stick of PC 3700 on the Twinmoss RAM @

http://store.yahoo.com/memx/twinmos.html

Hope that link is of help to anyone else looking for some good prices on ram. I think I'd rather have the Twinmoss 3700 myself compared to the Corsair just for the speed differance although the price differance doesn't hurt.

[bigben2k]

I prefer adding them myself too!

BTW that link... you have to add 9$ (minimum) for shipping, making that 512 pc3700 stick $147, where Scott sells it for $145, s&h included.

It's still a better deal, but I might use that link if I want to boost my old machine, which needs EDO ram:rolleyes: