Corsair PC3200 TwinX vs PC3500 - Difference?

[gramboh]

Hi there,

I am looking at building a new system and am trying to choose between:

TWINX512-3200LL 512MB TwinX PC3200 Low Latency Dual Channel Kit (2 x 256MB)

or

2 x CMX256A-3500C2 256MB XMS PC3500 CAS 2 DDR w/ Heatspreader

For some strange reason they both work out to the same price (actually the 2 sticks of 3500 are $0.05 cheaper lol). I've searched around but can't find any information on what exactly makes the TwinX Low Latency good. Does Low Latency mean you can achieve faster timing settings at higher memory clocks? Would I be better off with the 3500? I am planning on getting either a Barton 2500+ or a P4C 2.4 in a few weeks (depends if the price comes down on the P4C800 mainboard) and running at 200+ FSB so I want good RAM. I like the idea that the TwinX are perfectly paired, but on the other hand the 3500 should handle higher speeds.

Any tips? Thanks and sorry if this has been discussed, I can't find it.

 

[RyanVM]

IIRC, both are actually the same sticks of RAM. The 3200LL sticks are just XMS3500 sticks clocked to 200Mhz and programmed with more agressive settings.

So do whatever you feel like doing

 

[gramboh]

Ahh ok, looking at their website the 3500 is 2-3-3-7 and the 3200LL is 2-2-2-6. So the 3500 can probably run 2-2-2-6 at 400MHz but only 2-3-3-7 at 434? And vice versa with the TwinX? Interesting, maybe I will save 5 cents, haha.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: gramboh
So the 3500 can probably run 2-2-2-6 at 400MHz

Do NOT make that assumption.

 

[gramboh]

Hmm alright, so the 3200LL that is rated for 2-2-2-6 (anyone know if this works with 2 x 256? The rating is for one DIMM it seems?) at 400MHz, it's probably a better bet for running in the 380-420MHz range (at fastest possible timings)?

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Hmm alright, so the 3200LL that is rated for 2-2-2-6 (anyone know if this works with 2 x 256? The rating is for one DIMM it seems?) at 400MHz, it's probably a better bet for running in the 380-420MHz range (at fastest possible timings)?

Not really. The 3500 will probably give you more speed, but the 3200LL will give you lower latency. That's the choice you're looking at.

 

[p0b0ye]

The XMS are faster, the TwinX's are guarenteed to work in tandem with dual channel motherboards.

 

[gramboh]

Ahh ok,

Anyone know if the 3500 XMS will run at 2-2-2-6 at 400MHz (the 2-3-3-7 is for 3500 speed I am assuming) especially with 2 x 256?

Thanks again guys.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Ahh ok,

Anyone know if the 3500 XMS will run at 2-2-2-6 at 400MHz (the 2-3-3-7 is for 3500 speed I am assuming) especially with 2 x 256?

Thanks again guys.

Most of it does but Corsair will only warranty it at the 2-3-3-7 timings,
if the sticks that you get don't get there.