Corsair XMS, and Corsair LLXMS what's the difference?

[deadken]

I already own this memory. It is 2x256mb Corsair 2,3,2,6.

I just bought this memory. I had thought that they were the same (other then the pricing difference). I didn't even notice that they were two different ones. I thought that since I bought mine over a year ago, the price had dropped.

I assume that for a $20 price difference, there must be a performance difference. But with the stated latencies, I don't see it. What other specs could justify the $20 over the other set? I doubt that the heat spreader color makes a $20 difference...

Thanks for your help.

Also: I was planning on using one of these 'new' sticks to put in with the pair of my 'old' sticks. I have a 2500+ @ 3200+ in a Abit NF7 (NON-S). Someone was telling me that I will lose my dual channel, even though I had read that I wouldn't lose it, just by using all three of my memory slots.

Will I suffer a Latency Penalty? How would I find out if I have double sided, or single sided (short of pulling the heat spreaders off)? How would double/single sided memory matter to me?

Thanks again for your time and help.

 

[Viper96720]

Same thing just different colored heatspreaders. Memory prices have been going up. Both are LL
TWINX512-3200LLPT
TWINX512-3200LL

 

[deadken]

Thanks, I really had thought that they were the same (except heat spreader color), but have you ever gotten that twinge of panic when you see somthing that shows that you might have just bought the wrong item?!? That's what hit me....

Anyone else?

Anyone have a comment about using three DIMM sockets on an Abit NF7 (NON-S)??

Any comments on double sided/single sided memory?

 

[Fern]

Anyone have a comment about using three DIMM sockets on an Abit NF7 (NON-S)??

Here's a link onit, and yes you can run DC with 3 sticks of ram LINK

Fern

 

[deadken]

OK, the first paragraph in the link (the first post), says:
"It's also possible to use three modules, but remember that the dual-channel access can be set only for the memory size equal to the double size of the first module (which is installed into the slot of the lowest number), and if the size of the first module does not exceed the sum of the sizes of the second and third modules. Obviously, there are two most optimal cases: equal memory modules inserted into the first and second slots, or three modules, with the first one being equal to the sum of the other two modules."

1) So when I read "dual-channel access can be set only for the memory size equal to the double size of the first module", I believe that having 3x256mb might not be so good. I am reading that the dual channel access will only be for 512mb (the same I have with 2 sticks). What will happen to the 'last' 256mb? I am rationalizng that it will operate in single channel and only when memory requirements exceed 512mb's.

2) It seems that I should have bought a 512mb stick of ram to put in the first slot. That would have allowed me 1GB (2x512mb) of Dual Channel access. The way I am seeing it is that I will only have 512mb (2x256mb) of Dual Channel access on a system that has 768mb's of memory.

3) Thanks for the answer, but I just am not sure what to do at this point. I do not even know if I will see a difference going form 512mb to 768mb's. People are hard pressed to tell you what difference there is with 1GB of memory after having 512mb's of memory. I am not considering the kids who say "I have 1gb and my system FLIES!!!", because they are NOT comparing it to the same system with 512mb.

4) Hmmm.... As I sit here alone, banging my head against the wall, I am figuring that the easiest way out of this is to use the 2x256mb PC3200 that I just ordered in my "Family" computer, and buy yet one more stick of 512mb PC3200 to use in my computer. The family computer should see some sort of performance jump in going from 512mb's of 333mhz to 512mb's of 400mhz (I am currently running it "out-of-sync"). OR I could just run with this 768mb's in my machine, and even if it is only single channel, I probably wouldn't even notice a %4 drop in performance (depending on what I am using of course). Boy, isn't this a GREAT hobby?

 

[Fern]

I'm guessing you can't return the recently purchased ram and get a single stick of 512MB?

I don't know much about the performance you may see by going to either a gig of ram or 768MB. I can't see where the increase would help in the apps I use at work (all my work pc's use win98se, which itself doesn't take up much ram either, c/b different if they were using XP).

As for my gaming rig, the only game that I keep hearing can benefit from more than 512MB is Far Cry. So, ATM, I'm interested in getting a 512MB stick to work in DC with my 2 X 256MB sticks. But I'm in no hurry, unless it turns out that HL2 needs more than 512MB to play smoothly.

Fern

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: Fern
I'm guessing you can't return the recently purchased ram and get a single stick of 512MB?
.....
Fern

No can do. It is in transit to me already. Bought it from a guy in forums. I wouldn't back out now.

I can still upgrade the other computers in my house with it. I promise that it won't go to waste!

 

[deadken]

Well, the memory passed the Memtest, and payment has been made. I am now running 768MB in my main (gaming) rig and the 768MB in the family rig. I don't know how much if any difference I will see, but I assume that with a gazillion windows open and 400 apps running, I will be running smoother 😉.

I also assume that the newer more detailed games might take advantage of all the memory you have. I can't say for sure, but I believe that stuff like Doom3 and HL2 will probably use whatever resources they can get their 'hands' onto.

 

[deadken]

I just figured that I would leave an update to say what is up...

I have received/tested/bought the other memory. I now am running 3X256MB in 2 computers. One is a AMD 2400+ on a Shuttle AN35N Ultra board, and the other is a AMD 2500+ on a Abit NF7 board (non-s version). I have run CPU-Z on both computers and it shows both of them running in Dual Channel. I also have read both of the manuals and neither one says anything about only getting 2X the memory in slot #1.

I don't really notice the extra memory in either machine. Honestly, I don't use the 2400+ much (just Folds all day...). I haven't gotten to game since I added the memory though. I hpe that my BF1942 will load maps smoother or something. When HL2 comes out, I hope that the extra memory will make some sort of difference in that game.