2GB PC3200 ram - moving to Corsair Value Select?

caff · 30 Jan 2006 at 01:01

Hi,

I've currently got 4 sticks of 512mb TwinMOS PC3200 ram - but its never worked properly with all 4 sticks in the mobo (I get a lot of graphical glitches + random reboots). It's happened on 2 different mobo's, yet testing each stick of RAM has proved they are all fine. I think perhaps the RAM can't handle dual channel with 4 sticks at once. I've currently got 3 our of 4 sticks in, running in single channel mode, and all is stable.

I found this in the FAQ:

Q. My older OCZ PC 3200 / Corsair XMS 3200 / Twinmos 3200 is not working well with my nforce/ canterwood/springdale board in dual channel mode.

A: No, this is a known issue and it is very difficult to optimise SPD timings for both single and dual channel operation. Use Corsair Twin X or OCZ Dual-channel optimised matching pair kits.

Sounds like others have had similar problems?

So... I want to replace this with a proper dual-channel 2GB kit. Being a skinflint, I'm looking at the 2GB Corsair Value Select:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Corsair_Value_Select.html

Would this be ok with my mobo (Asus P4C800 with 3.2Ghz intel P4) - and is it comparable quality to the TwinX as recommended in the FAQ?

Thanks

ajgoodfellow · 30 Jan 2006 at 11:16

Hi

I havent heard of any problems with that memory and that board so it should work fine

VeNT · 30 Jan 2006 at 21:11

hmm, I've always thought you get what you pay for with ram tbh

I'd spend the little extra (its only like £60) for some good, low CL ram

caff · 30 Jan 2006 at 22:36

Ok, what benefits does a lower CAS give, e.g. where would I notice it?

I'm looking at:
Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS2 (MY-079-CS)
2-3-3-6

And for £20 cheaper
Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS3 (MY-039-CS)
3-3-3-8.

Is the difference worth the money?

ajgoodfellow · 31 Jan 2006 at 01:55

For £20 probably

Generally lower latency ram doesn't make a huge difference to the performance of your PC, save a few percent on memory benchmarks!

£20 isn't a huge amount though so I'd get the CAS2 over the CAS3 for that small amount extra

smids · 31 Jan 2006 at 09:34

G.Skill 2GB DDR ZX PC3200 £158inc VAT - cheaper and better timings. 2-3-2-5 instead of 2-3-3-6. Only £6 more than the Corsair Value.

Dutch Guy · 31 Jan 2006 at 09:35

caff said:
Ok, what benefits does a lower CAS give, e.g. where would I notice it?

I'm looking at:
Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200C2PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS2 (MY-079-CS)
2-3-3-6

And for £20 cheaper
Corsair 2GB DDR XMS3200PT TwinX (2x1GB) CAS3 (MY-039-CS)
3-3-3-8.

Is the difference worth the money?

For me the difference would be worth it, the C2 memory allows you faster timings at default and gives you the ption to overclock it slightly by using 3-3-3-8 timings at say 220Mhz

[edit]I thought the XMS3200C2PT had 2-3-2-6 timings :confused:

[/edit]

caff · 31 Jan 2006 at 09:45

Thanks, interesting replies...

Hmm, well after some careful consideration from reading quite a few benchmark reviews comparing generic against low latency memory, I've decided to go for the Value Select.

A 1% increase in performance just doesn't seem worth the large markup in price.

(The G. Skill is £158 inc VAT, but the Corsair Value Select is only £117)

smids · 31 Jan 2006 at 09:48

caff said:
Thanks, interesting replies...

Hmm, well after some careful consideration from reading quite a few benchmark reviews comparing generic against low latency memory, I've decided to go for the Value Select.

A 1% increase in performance just doesn't seem worth the large markup in price.

(The G. Skill is £158 inc VAT, but the Corsair Value Select is only £117)

Ooops - looked at the wrong set

. My bad

TBH, the fact it is 2GB offsets the timings in many cases as the system should feel smoother in any event.