2GB Corsair 3200C2PT vs G.Skill vs xxx

Goot

Goot

Goot

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Hi,

Newbie, but a lot of reading later and I'm not sure what to do.
I have 2GB Crucial Ballistix tracer in my games PC, as yet to be overclocked (Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, X2 3800) and running fine at stock. The Ballistix replaces 1GB Corsair XMS3200LL and *so far* very happy with it.

I would like another 2GB dual channel kit for my server-cum-whatever. This is currently running an Asus A8N-VM CSM motherboard, X2 3800). Motherboard overclocking potential is limited so might replace it at some point.

RAM will be running at stock initially so tight timings would be preferred, and I've experienced a difference between Value and Performance RAM, to make me purchase Performance RAM.

I thought I'd narrowed my search down to:-

Corsair 2GB XMS3200 C2PT
G.Skill 2GB 3200 PHU2-2GBZX

1. Which is the better overclocker? Can't seem to find anything on the Corsair stuff.

2. Which would be the better choice? I'd never heard of G.Skill until a few weeks ago - getting mixed reports.

Budget of £170 inc VAT for RAM.

Or would G.Skill 2GB PC4000 USU2-2GBHZ be worthwhile? I'm concerned that a lot of reviewers couldn't get this down to CAS2, and as this will be at stock for a while, it puts me off. The Ballistix went straight to CAS2 no worries, but that costs more.

Your feedback welcome. I'll be purchasing sometime next week.

Goot :)
 
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Welcome! Tough first question. ;)

Which is the better overclocker? Out of those two I would say either! Both would probably overclock a little, and because you have an AMD CPU you can use dividers on the RAM without a performance hit. I would say for what you want, don't get the PC4000 kit(s) as the 3200 give nicer timings at stock and can overclock also (but obviously not crazily high).

I would be leaning personally towards the G.Skill, especially with the price atm. But don't get too hung up on which one, either would be a good choice imo, but I'm slightly biased towards G.Skill.

Cheers!!
 
Well I am now very pleasantly surprised by the G Skill I had problems in the past but hey tell me of a company that produces 0% faulty products and I'm sold.

I have now swapped some Corsair for G Skill because my mate couldn't get it working right, he has little patience and I love playing, the G Skill is quite a bit in front of the Corsair as far as overclocking is concerned but you will need patience to get the best from it, it's not difficult to get it to run but to get the very best from it takes a little time.
 
Just the info I was after. It's hard to get out of the Corsair safety net, as I've always trusted it and never had a problem. But, I'm hearing a lot of fave reviews for G.Skill.

I'm swaying towards the G.Skill but still not sure - PC3200 though
Decisions.. decisions

Many thanks so far, hope to get a few more ppl with their views before I bite the bullet. Keep it coming :)

I have never impulse bought, so I need to make sure it's right for me.

Goot :)
 
^ Hopefully some others will reply. :) My first 1Gb kit was Corsair, never had any problems. Then tried the Crucial Ballistix and it just was not what I was hoping. Finally read about G.Skill and never had any problems with it either! Been running mine for ages now. :D

Hope you get what your after!

Cheers.
 
The time has almost come, ordering at the weekend so I've decided to go for the G.Skill ZX kit if in stock. If not, Corsair C2PT.

You lot have sold it to me - cheers! :)

Goot :)
 
I am in a similar situation.

I'm making a new build for myself with a MSI Neo2 Platinum, and have ordered my Athlon 64 3700+ and am looking to get 2GB of ram.

The Corsair 2GB kit looks nice, but the G.Skill is slightly cheaper, which is the best one for me?

Thanks for any tips.
 
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At the moment it's probably a wise move to steer clear of crucial altogether. They've had a nightmare recently with their premium overclocking ram and there is no sign of them getting their act together yet (though at least they've stopped making the faulty model).

G.Skill make good ram. They will always do what they are supposed to do and they occassionaly punch right out of their weight. If you get sniff of a good batch of G Skill it's really worth getting hold of. Corsair probably doesn't have as many legendary batches, but they make great ram at every level.
 
man_from_uncle said:
At the moment it's probably a wise move to steer clear of crucial altogether. They've had a nightmare recently with their premium overclocking ram and there is no sign of them getting their act together yet (though at least they've stopped making the faulty model).

G.Skill make good ram. They will always do what they are supposed to do and they occassionaly punch right out of their weight. If you get sniff of a good batch of G Skill it's really worth getting hold of. Corsair probably doesn't have as many legendary batches, but they make great ram at every level.
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Saved me writing it absolutely agree. :D
 
Unless there were reports about the particular G.Skill batch doing wonders, i'd go for the Corsair assuming they were the same price. I just haven't heard of Corsair modules ever being anything other than good and my current ones are just amazing.

But at that PC3200 CAS2 level there wouldn't be a lot in it, so if the G Skills were cheaper i'd be tempted to go for them instead.
 
At the time of writing this is what the prices are:

Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX
2-3-3-6
£164.44

G.Skill 2GB DDR ZX PC3200
2-3-2-5
£158.57

What do the numbers actually mean?
I only know the first is the CAS Latency.

And will either of these models work well with a 64bit 3700+ San Diego and a MSI Neo2 Platinum board?
 
With those figures i'd go with the G Skill hands down. You'll probably be able to get them to 210-220 with the same timings that the Corsair gets a 200.

It's worth finding out if you can if either are known to get over 250 and if so at what timings, but at first glance those G skill should stomp on those Corsair.
 
I just bought GSkill 2GB ZX and it was very unstable and would only run (badly) at 166mhz. I returned it to OcUK who refunded it within 7 days. I then ordered Corsair 3200C2 from OcUK which runs like a dream and does what it says on the tin. A bit like Ronseal but less sticky.
 
SwedishChef said:
I just bought GSkill 2GB ZX and it was very unstable and would only run (badly) at 166mhz. I returned it to OcUK who refunded it within 7 days. I then ordered Corsair 3200C2 from OcUK which runs like a dream and does what it says on the tin. A bit like Ronseal but less sticky.
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Probably just a bad set. Mine is running 2-3-2-5 1T @ 208Mhz. 7 complete passes of memtest (5.5 hours) followed by 240 passes of test 5 (8.25 hours). So that's stock volts and timings running 8mhz over stock frequency.
And the Corsair uses looser timings than the G.skill as well as being more expensive.
 
They'll be no problem with your board norbie and if you do have any problems then do as SwedishChef did and send them back. I've not heard any other reports of this batch being faulty so i wouldn't be put off by Swedishchef's experiance. Just like any product there will always be few bad apples in any barrel.

On paper those G.Skill look like the best value for money of any of the premium 2 gig sets.

Out of interest smids, what other timings:speed ratios can those G.Skill do?
 
man_from_uncle said:
They'll be no problem with your board norbie and if you do have any problems then do as SwedishChef did and send them back. I've not heard any other reports of this batch being faulty so i wouldn't be put off by Swedishchef's experiance. Just like any product there will always be few bad apples in any barrel.

On paper those G.Skill look like the best value for money of any of the premium 2 gig sets.

Out of interest smids, what other timings:speed ratios can those G.Skill do?
Click to expand...
Only had them a day and was out in London all of yesterday so no chance to check yet I'm afraid. I'll post back when I have some more info :).
 
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