cvearl
04-07-03, 02:58 PM
I need to ask the hardcore guys a question.
Recently, I was able to exchange my 4 month old Crucial(Micron) PC2700 CAS 2.5 DDR memory (2x256MB modules) for Corsair XMS PC2700 CAS 2.0 DDR (2x256 Modules). I did so only because I have a friend that runs a high performance computer store and he helped me out. I only had to pay $15 in the exchange. He's a nice guy. I took them home and removed them from the beutifull packaging. They are the coolest looking RAM modules I have ever seen. Heatsink and all.
Anyway, the other reason I even went through the trouble was because it was supposedly a lower latency product than the Micron as is supposed to be the "Fastest in the World" for it's class of memory anyway. Now I know that you normally only need Corsair stuff if you are an overclocker but I thought that even with the lower latency stuff I would get a tiny boost even when at stock clocks for my motherboard but using the recommended CAS settings for the Corsair.
Here's what floored me...
The Micron (labeled Crucial) is faster across the board! In testing with this P4PE motherboard, I tested both with the DRAM timings set to "SPD" mode. In which case the motherboard goes by the internal register of the RAM which by JEDEC standards is CAS settings of 2.5-3-3-7. Both sets of memory say this in the BIOS when left in the "set by SPD" mode. At this setting, I get the following results...
in 3DMARK2001SE...
Micron PC2700 2 x 256MB modules - 13,651
Corsair XMS PC2700 2 x 256MB modules - 13,540 (lower by 111 pts)
In Sisoft Sandra memory test...
Micron - 2568
Corsair - 2538 (lower by 30 pts)
So ok, I say to myself. Sure but what about when I set these babies to the recommeded latancy timings! Which are 2-3-3-6.
3DMARK2001SE - 13,589
Sisoft Sandra memory test - 2556
Both results are still lower than the Micron at stock settings. Even if I set my motherboard to TURBO mode, I still cannot reach the 3dMARK or Sandra scores!
Moral of the story? Don't be sucked in by brand names or false claims of performance. I do know that the Corsair would allow me to push my FSB farther than the Micron stuff but I am not an overclocker so that is not much of a selling feature to me. So what did I gain getting these Corsair units? Brand recognition and as a result Resale value I guess.
Anyone else see this sort of thing before?
Charles.
Recently, I was able to exchange my 4 month old Crucial(Micron) PC2700 CAS 2.5 DDR memory (2x256MB modules) for Corsair XMS PC2700 CAS 2.0 DDR (2x256 Modules). I did so only because I have a friend that runs a high performance computer store and he helped me out. I only had to pay $15 in the exchange. He's a nice guy. I took them home and removed them from the beutifull packaging. They are the coolest looking RAM modules I have ever seen. Heatsink and all.
Anyway, the other reason I even went through the trouble was because it was supposedly a lower latency product than the Micron as is supposed to be the "Fastest in the World" for it's class of memory anyway. Now I know that you normally only need Corsair stuff if you are an overclocker but I thought that even with the lower latency stuff I would get a tiny boost even when at stock clocks for my motherboard but using the recommended CAS settings for the Corsair.
Here's what floored me...
The Micron (labeled Crucial) is faster across the board! In testing with this P4PE motherboard, I tested both with the DRAM timings set to "SPD" mode. In which case the motherboard goes by the internal register of the RAM which by JEDEC standards is CAS settings of 2.5-3-3-7. Both sets of memory say this in the BIOS when left in the "set by SPD" mode. At this setting, I get the following results...
in 3DMARK2001SE...
Micron PC2700 2 x 256MB modules - 13,651
Corsair XMS PC2700 2 x 256MB modules - 13,540 (lower by 111 pts)
In Sisoft Sandra memory test...
Micron - 2568
Corsair - 2538 (lower by 30 pts)
So ok, I say to myself. Sure but what about when I set these babies to the recommeded latancy timings! Which are 2-3-3-6.
3DMARK2001SE - 13,589
Sisoft Sandra memory test - 2556
Both results are still lower than the Micron at stock settings. Even if I set my motherboard to TURBO mode, I still cannot reach the 3dMARK or Sandra scores!
Moral of the story? Don't be sucked in by brand names or false claims of performance. I do know that the Corsair would allow me to push my FSB farther than the Micron stuff but I am not an overclocker so that is not much of a selling feature to me. So what did I gain getting these Corsair units? Brand recognition and as a result Resale value I guess.
Anyone else see this sort of thing before?
Charles.