Corsair XMS2 1GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory Module

Good for overclocking

Strengths: High quality standard head spreader allows overclocking without overheating. Overclocks well (this varies by piece typically though, your mileage may vary). LEDs tell you it's working. Bling! factor.

Weakness: It's physically tall, make sure you have free space above where the chips install.

I've installed this with an Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 (2.4 ghz 1066 mhz FSB standard) into an ASUS P5WDG2-WS Pro motherboard, which supports all sorts of overclocking options. The memory runs great at it's standard speed 666mhz (it's officially marketted as a 675 mhz chip, but the motherboard's standard DDR2 support is for 533, 666 and 800). It also runs fine at 800 mhz! But don't take my word for...
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I've installed this with an Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 (2.4 ghz 1066 mhz FSB standard) into an ASUS P5WDG2-WS Pro motherboard, which supports all sorts of overclocking options.

The memory runs great at it's standard speed 666mhz (it's officially marketted as a 675 mhz chip, but the motherboard's standard DDR2 support is for 533, 666 and 800). It also runs fine at 800 mhz! But don't take my word for this, as speed can vary from chip to chip. But you can count on 666/675 at least (probably more).

The following combinations of Front Side Bus (FSB) speed (standard for 1066 mhz Intel bus is 266*4), and memory speed worked (memory is normally 2*FSB speed, but a ratio of FSB to memory speed is possible), again, this will vary by piece for each individual memory stick and the capablities of your motherboard.

The following were with 2 sets of this memory (4 sticks total or 2 gig):

FSB Memory Mem/FSB Ratio Bus Speed CPU Speed e6800

266 533 (2*266) 1:1 1066 2.40 ghz
266 667 (2*266) 5:4 1066 2.40 ghz
266 800 (2*266) 3:2 1066 2.40 ghz
300 800 (2*300) 4:3 1200 2.70 ghz
333 666 (2*333) 1:1 1333 3.00 ghz
360 720 (2*360) 1:1 1440 3.24 ghz

The motherboard did not run at FSB/Mem 320/800, 333/800 or 360/800, but I didn't try real hard (I can play with memory voltages and such, but don't want to bother). Also, those timings give a non one-to-one FSB/Mem timing which (in my benchmarks) isn't as efficient as 1:1.

I'm running stably with the last timings you see above. I tried pushing this up to 370 and 380, but it wasn't stable. Again, I could play with various voltages to try to get this stable, but it isn't worth it to me. It would be nice to get to a 400 mhz FSB speed, which would give Mem timings of 400*2 = 800 mhz memory with a 1:1 ratio, but it won't work stably above about 360 mhz FSB speed.

By the way, I don't know why, but all the bay area (SF/San Jose) area Fry's Electronics have this product for $129 (only in store, not at Frys.com). The cheapest I can find on the web is about $189 (as of 2006/11/16).

By anonymous; - Nov 16, 2006

Memory Corsair PC 5400 DDR2 DIMM 675MHZ

Strengths: Good memory, more performance, excellent brand name

Weakness: Maybe down price for manufacturer

Extremely fast with the lowest possible latency, Good design with leds multiples colors, it improves the yield from 667 to 675 MHZ, better performance; In the future I hope to have a processor with a 1066 FSB and clock up from there.

By mauhor - Sep 12, 2005