New Rig: Corsair XMS3 PC3-12800C7 vs Corsair Dominator PC3-12800C8

Chopper · 1 Apr 2010 at 01:21

In a nutshell what would you recommend?

Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (TR3X6G1600C7) - £204.99.
1600MHz RAM Speed, CAS 7-7-7-20 Timings, 1.6-1.65v VDIMM, Lifetime Warranty with Corsair.

OR

Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (TR3X6G1600C8D) - £186.99.
1600MHz RAM Speed, CAS 8-8-8-24 Timings, 1.6-1.65v VDIMM, Lifetime Warranty with Corsair.

Only £20 in it, just not sure if the Dominator is better ram for OC'ing with a i7 930 up to 4GHz or the XMS3 with more aggressive timings, seems close?

Sharpedge · 2 Apr 2010 at 21:07

I'm in the same boat but leaning towards the XMS. If things get a little tight in the OC you could always loosen the timings a little.

Chopper · 2 Apr 2010 at 21:59

Same here, it seems a little strange, I would expect the timings and the prices to be the other way around?

gurusan · 2 Apr 2010 at 22:02

200 on ram? seriously?

Azza · 2 Apr 2010 at 22:08

gurusan said:
200 on ram? seriously?

This and....why are you getting the i7 930?!? When you are aiming for 4Ghz... :confused:

rpg · 2 Apr 2010 at 22:15

Corsair also actually make PC3-12800 Dominator at C7 (TR3X6G1600C7D) and PC3-12800 XMS3 at C8 (TR3X6G1600C8). But OcUK aren't currently selling these variants.

You can safely assume that the Dominator modules would cost slightly more in comparison to the XMS3 with the same timings. What do you pay extra for in the Dominator modules? The heatsinks - at high MHz the Dominator modules may run slightly cooler than the XMS3, that's it.

sammie377 · 3 Apr 2010 at 07:19

I had the dominator you are looking at it was great, but the XMS would or should be a slightly better choice for the reasond you give about loosening if needed.

Chopper · 3 Apr 2010 at 20:01

Hi, yeah I found the Dominator at the faster timings on a rival site and think I will plonk for that as the price is still give or take £200. Thanks for the info.

Lt Goody · 3 Apr 2010 at 20:12

I have the dominator cas7 and its very good memory, got mine running at 1720mhz@7-7-7-20 with no problems.

coupe69 · 5 Apr 2010 at 13:39

gurusan said:
200 on ram? seriously?

This

Higadeb · 5 Apr 2010 at 14:00

Either RAM is overkill!
I have an i7 920 @4.2GHz and the RAM nattily runs at 1600MHz at the clock. There is no need for a 2000MHz kit unless you're going for a massive OC!

cainer · 5 Apr 2010 at 20:04

Higadeb said:
Either RAM is overkill!
I have an i7 920 @4.2GHz and the RAM nattily runs at 1600MHz at the clock. There is no need for a 2000MHz kit unless you're going for a massive OC!

erm, he didnt say he wanted 2000mhz ram

Higadeb · 5 Apr 2010 at 20:19

cainer said:
erm, he didnt say he wanted 2000mhz ram

Whoops, mu bad. Must be getting confused between threads!
In that case I'd got for the dominator over the XMS3. Just make sure that it'll fit under the heatsink if you're planning to OC