It's
great to see how individual memory stacks up against the competition under stock
configurations, but we're also going to show how it compares when overclocked.
With performance in mind, we're going to compare the maximum overclocked results
of the various DDR-2 memory modules PCSTATS has tested in the past which are
listed below. Remember, just because memory is clocked fast doesn't mean it's
the best thing for a computer. Timings are also important, and getting the right
ratio of both is the real key to performance based overclocking!
* - denotes tested on ECS PN2
SLI2+ platform
The
Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF was retested on the new Asus P5N32-SLI
Plus motherboard to see how it handles overclocking only and you can see quite a
bit of a difference here. It's the fastest in low latency and loose latency
testing by quite a bit and is the only memory that can hit 1300 MHz! Damn that's
pretty darn fast wouldn't you say?
Are you extreme
enough?
The enthusiast game
of overclocking computer hardware has become a very mainstream affair.
Manufacturers use high end computer hardware to impress us, to dazzle us with
fast numbers, jaw dropping features, and luxury options that grab everyone's
attention.
DDR-2 has been the watermark for how far memory can go,
not just a commodity anymore, Corsair has introduced DDR2 parts that are worth
coveting in their own right. So it takes a special kind of computer enthusiast
to recognize that one must look past the flash, the verb-ladden names, and stare
right into the heart of high speed low latency memory. The latter is quite
important, and quite difficult to achieve. The 2GB Corsair DOMINATOR
Twin2X2048-8888C4DF kit is the companies current flagship DDR-2 memory part.
The PC2-8888
DOMINATOR memory is capable of running at DDR2-1111 speeds with tight 4-4-4-12
CAS Latency memory timings. Of course with a retail price of $717 CDN ($610 US,
£313 GBP) for this 2GB set of DDR-2... well, it's darn expensive. It's not lost
on PCSTATS that high end memory of this calibre costs as much as a mainstream
PC.
The Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF memory is
obviously fast and with a stock recommended voltage of 2.4V, gets pretty hot. To
combat the extra heat Corsair has totally redesigned the memory heatspreader for
greater efficiency. It has also bundled in a unique DIMM fan that clips onto the
memory slots for additional cooling.
Rest assured, if your PC system is equipped with
Corsair's DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF memory, you're not going to be running
it stock. At its DDR2-1111 rated speed with 4-4-4-12 timings, the memory is
smoking fast, and really built with nForce 680i based motherboards in mind.
You'll also need a quick processor, and a good videocard to get the most out of
your system - but as long as this flag ship memory is paired with flag ship
computer parts, it should be smooth sailing.
With tight 4-4-4-12 memory timings, the Corsair DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF memory was able
to hit an amazing 1244 MHz in PCSTATS'
overclocking session. Lowering the memory timings did not yield a higher speed,
though perhaps it was the ECS PN2 SLI2+ that was tapped out... We really can't
say.
Traditionally overclocking only the memory does not
garner much of a performance boost, but that was not the case with the Corsair
DOMINATOR Twin2X2048-8888C4DF. Running at 1244 MHz with 4-4-4-12 timings gave a
nice boost to gaming framerates. Now, just imagine what could result when
running this memory in conjunction with a fast system overclock!?
There's little doubt that the Corsair DOMINATOR
Twin2X2048-8888C4DF is fast (and it is), but its high premium puts it out of
range of everyone except the most dedicated computer enthusiasts. If you can
afford the DOMINATOR PC2-8888 C4 modules you'll be happy. If you can't, well,
you'll just have to make due.
Update:
Since PCSTATS moved the memory test platform over to the
Asus P5N32 SLI-Plus motherboard, we retested the Corsair DOMINATOR
Twin2X2048-8888C4DF memory and it's even better than we thought. On the new
motheboard the Corsair memory with tight 4-4-4-12 timings was able to reach 1260
MHz! Loosening up the timings to 5-5-5-15 allowed the memory to reach the 1300
MHz mark which is a pretty big milestone for DDR2 memory!
Find out about this and many other reviews by joining
the Weekly PCstats.com Newsletter today! Catch all of PCSTATS
latest reviews right here.
Related Articles
Here are a few other articles that you might enjoy as
well...
- Corsair Twin2X1024-8500 C5 PC2-8500 DDR-2 Memory
Review
- SyncMAX Express PC2-6400 DDR2 800 Memory Review
- OCZ DDR2 PC2-7200 Platinum XTC SLI-Ready 2GB Memory Kit
Review
- Crucial PC2-6400 Ballistix 2GB DDR-2 Memory Kit
Review
- Corsair Twin2X2048-8500C5 2GB PC2-8500 Memory Kit
Review
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