Corsair TWINX512-3200LL DDR Memory Kit

As the popularity of dual channel memory configurations continues to increase, so does the demand for matched pairs of DDR DIMMs. Corsair was the first company I noticed offering tested and packaged pairs of RAM with their TWINX line, which was introduced back in January of this year. The main idea behind this is to eliminate the guess work and luck involved when consumers go out to buy two sticks of RAM for their new dual channel DDR motherboards. Some people found when they bought two of the same brand, size and speed of unmatched RAM that one stick would significantly outperform the other, which can be a real bummer. Corsair decided to simplify this process and eliminate the headache by rigorously testing pairs of the popular XMS line and then packaging and selling the pairs that passed the tests as TWINX memory kits. TWINX -- as a twin, I'd have to say that's a brilliant name. ;-)

Corsair takes the TWINX line very seriously and makes sure every set passes numerous tests before shipping them out. The XMS line also goes through very stringent testing, but the TWINX line goes several steps beyond that to ensure that the buyer will get top notch dual channel DDR performance. Today, I'll be testing out the TWINX512-3200LL kit, which is a matched pair of CMX256A-3200LL (PC3200 or DDR400 low latency) memory DIMMs. Read on to see how the TWINX kit compares to Corsair's own XMS3500 and Kingston's HyperX KHX3500.

Specifications & Features

Corsair TWINX512-3200LL

What Corsair has to say about TWINX:

"The TWINX(TM) memory kits are composed of two low latency memory modules that have been tested as a pair in an Asus A7N8X dual channel motherboard. The matched pair of modules are then physically packaged together, guaranteeing that the customer receives a product that has been verified in the dual channel environment."

TWINX512-3200LL Specifications:

• Part Number: TWINX512-3200LL
• Speed: 400 MHz (PC3200)
• Size: 512MB (2 x 256MB)
• Organization: 2x32Mx64
• Package: 2x184 DIMM
• Latency: 2-2-2-6-T1
• 32M x 8 DDR SDRAMs with 5.0 nanosecond access time

TWINX Kit Features:

• 512 Megabytes of memory -- Two matched CMX256A-3200LL memory DIMMs
• Dual channel testing environment -- 200MHz nForce2-based test setup
• Tested and packaged in pairs
  • Modules tested together in Asus A7N8X-based test setup
  • Packaged together immediately following system test
• Benchmarked using both nForce2 and Intel "Granite Bay" chip sets
• Plug-n-Frag(TM) Auto-Configuration -- Boots automatically using low latency values
• Tested at ultra-low latency settings (2-2-2-6), command rate of 1T
• Legendary Corsair reliability and service
• Integrated black aluminum heat spreader for improved thermal performance
• Lifetime warranty

Corsair TWINX512-3200LL (click thumbnail for bigger pic)

In the pics above, you can see the cool black aluminum heat spreaders. These are supposed to help keep the memory chips cooler, but I'm not sure how much they really help. They do look damn cool though! Much better than seeing some plain old ugly green PCB. The packaging in the above picture is actually going away. You can see the new packaging here (looks a little nicer, eh?).

TWINX is available in several different flavors. Currently, it can be found as 512MB and 1GB kits in either PC2700 or PC3200 speed, so you can choose from TWINX512-2700LL, TWINX512-3200LL, TWINX1024-2700LL and TWINX1024-3200LL.