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!

Maximum Overclocked Speeds - PCstats Results
Maximum Speed w/ Low Latency	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
OCZ PC2-7200 Platinum SLI	4-4-3-15	1024MB	1096 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1040 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C4	4-4-4-12	1024MB	1016 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-8500C5	4-4-4-12	1024MB	952 MHz
Corsair Twin2X1024-8500	4-4-4-12	512MB	920 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3	3-4-3-9	1024MB	872 MHz
SyncMAX PC2-5300 Express	4-4-4-10	512MB	840 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC2-5300	3-3-3-12	1024MB	790 MHz
Maximum Speed	Timings	Capacity	Max Speed	Ranking
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C4	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1104 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-8500C5	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1104 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1104 MHz
OCZ PC2-7200 Platinum SLI	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1104 MHz
Corsair Twin2X1024-8500	5-5-5-15	512MB	1104 MHz
Corsair Twin2X2048-6400C3	5-5-5-15	1024MB	1056 MHz
Crucial Ballistix PC2-5300	5-5-5-15	512MB	1056 MHz
SyncMAX PC2-5300 Express	5-5-5-15	1024MB	904 MHz

The 1GB Corsair Twin2X1024-8500 does pretty well in the overclocking charts wouldn't you say? ;-) The Twin2X1024-8500 C5 is not designed for low latencies, and this may explain why it only hits 920 MHz with tighter CAS Latency timings of 4-4-4-12.

Does Corsair Redefine High Speed DDR-2?

It doesn't matter if you're a fan of DDR-2 memory or staunchly holding onto those trust DDR sticks, it's the memory standard that will be with us for the next few years and there is no changing that. Multi-core processors require more bandwidth than conventional memory standards provide, thus DDR2 is a necessity.

The debate between low latency and memory bandwidth has been raging almost since the dawn of computing, and the arguments are alive and well with DDR2. There is no best memory, it really depends on what you want to do with your computer.

With dual core processors like the Intel Pentium D or Core 2 Duo, high speed DDR-2 memory allows you to overclock much higher without the fear of bandwidth starving the processor. With the Socket AM2 AMD Athlon64's wonky memory controller, high speed memory is also easier to overclock. However, an Athlon64 core is still an Athlon64 core, and it will always react positively to lower latency memory than naught.

Corsair's 1GB Twin2X1024-8500 C5 DDR-2 memory kit is squarely designed for the enthusiast at heart. With the ability to run at 1066 MHz by default, the Twin2X1024-8500 memory is the definition of fast. To reach this speed though, Corsair recommends a voltage of 2.2V which is pretty high, better to have good case cooling 'cause this memory generates a fair amount of heat.

Even with the lax CAS latency timings of 5-5-5-15, the performance of the Corsair Twin2X1024-8500 memory kit at DDR2-800 speeds was decent, and it did not trail the low latency memory by much. The Twin2X1024-8500 memory was able to run at 276 MHz without any problems, yet I have the feeling it could have gone much higher if the nForce 590 based motherboard had not maxed out first.

When we consider the benchmark and bandwidth figures for the Corsair Twin2X1024-8500 memory running on a socket AM2 AMD Athlon64 FX-62 platform, at 276 MHz, it really underscores what good enthusiast grade memory is capable of. Low latency timings of 4-4-4-12 limited the memory to just 230 MHz however.

The Corsair Twin2X1024-8500 is highly specialized memory and if you're looking for something that can reach insane clock speeds, look no further. Hardcore overclocking is an expensive hobby and with a retail price of $264 CDN ($239 US, £125) for 2GB of DDR-2 it is priced at a premium, but it's about the best you can get.

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...
- 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
- Crucial Ballistix PC2-5300 DDR2-667 2GB Memory Kit Review
- SyncMAX PC2-5300 DDR2-667 Express Memory Review