Corsair's TWINX 1024-3200XL v1.2 & TWINX 1024-4400C25PT Memory kits

To get this next batch of results, we kept the latencies of each memory kit set at 2-2-2-5, and slowly raised their clock speeds until our test system was no longer stable. Even though the 4400C25PT modules were rated for 2.5-4-4-8 operation, they were able to run with 2-2-2-5 timings at DDR446 speeds without a problem. Interestingly, considering the differing timings and speed specifications, we arrived at the same exact clock speed for stable overclocking while at a 1:1 ratio for the CPU-to-RAM.  While we are able to boot into Windows as high as 230MHz FSB, we found that we only achieved a completely stable environment at 223MHz for both sets of modules.

Performance Comparison with SiSoft SANDRA 2005 Raw Bandwidth at tight timings

Corsair TWIN2X1024-3200XL 223MHz FSB (DDR446)

Corsair TWIN2X1024-4400C25PT 223MHz FSB (DDR446)

Even though we had both kits running at the same timings (2-2-2-5) and at the same speed (DDR446) we saw a bit of a difference in the overall memory bandwidth between the two.  Even without any obvious advantage, the 3200XL kit posted scores that were roughly 50MB/s faster than the 4400C25PT.  Once again, we point out that this difference only amounts to a 1% increase in performance.  It is most likely due to the fact that the 3200XL modules are geared for low latency, while the 4400C25PT modules have a tweaked PCB designed to hit higher clock speeds...

Performance Comparison with PCMark04 How's Your Memory?

We also ran the PCMark04 memory performance module with these memory kits clocked at DDR446, with 2-2-2-5 timings.  As we saw with SANDRA, the 3200XL modules were able to pull ahead of the 4400C25PT modules by 17 points.  Raising the speed of the Front Side Bus to 223MHz, while keeping the CPU/RAM ratio at 1:1, gained us about 70 points for each kit. 

In-Game Performance Comparisons With Wolf: ET Can we increase our Framerates?  Yes, We Can!

When we re-ran the Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory test, we saw performance gains once again with each set of memory modules.  As with PCMark04, the gains were almost equal for both kits, around 10 frames over their original benchmark.  This comes out to about an 8% increase in performance, which is actually less than the difference in the memory speed of 12% (446 MHz over 400 MHz).