Corsair DDR2 XMS2 PC2 8500 Memory Kit Review :: Overclocking

For those of you salivating about just how high and fast these sticks could go, cool it. Trying to push memory modules past 1066MHz at this point in time is pretty much like trying to shift up when you're in the top gear on a Ferrari - it's just not going to happen. With that being said, the PR materials that come with these sticks even report such ideas to be true - hell, if Corsair manages to top them out at 1,072 MHz using an Extreme Edition processor, then what will our luck be with a Swiftech Chilled 530J, running 1GHz past what it's made for. While I'm sure the advent of AM2 will help alleviate this testing blockade (or remove it entirely with the inclusion of support to drop the multiplier), we're going to press onward, then downward, to see just what these overclocking friendly, voltage loving modules can do.

We'll start the party at a speed of 667MHz, or what is officially the maximum sanctioned speed by Intel today. With a little bit of luck, we managed to crank latencies all the way down to a nice 3-3-2-5. Such bloody low latencies would lead you to believe that it's DDR1 we're playing with here, but alas, tis not the case. After a short bit of stability testing, we found a sadly low maximum for these incredible timings - a paltry 700Mhz. Of course, Corsair had an Ace in the Hole, like always.

Corsair XMS2-8500 Stock C-667-3325

By loosening the RAS Precharge timing from 2 to 3, we found ourselves suddenly able to peg DDR2-800 with ease. Now, I don't know about you, but this is something which is more or less a feat - I've never been able to pull off such latencies with such speeds, even with my Fatbody D9 based CMX6400 (though, this doesn't mean I won't be spending hours perfecting this sort of thing after). Confidence re-sewn, we began an upward thrust, seeing just how far this low latency train could go before an inevitable stop. Again, this prolific stop was met with a grinding of the gears though - the memory just had to be difficult about such low latency operation. Action had to be taken, and timings had to be loosened, if progress was to be made.

Corsair XMS2-8500 Stock C-800-3335

By backing off the CAS and RAS to CAS latencies, we found ourselves able to stabilize the modules at a speed of DDR2-1000 with latencies of just 4-3-4-5. While not as impressive as a sprint across the 3s, this does prove to be the fastest we've seen ANY DDR2 modules go out this way. The only way you're going to go faster than this is with some sensational luck or some custom made modules. Bearing that in mind, we decided to, once again, in potential folly press on further.

Corsair XMS2-8500 3750-1000-4435

Pushing a little harder yielded a top speed of 1,020 MHz at these latencies. Unfortunately, we found luck prevailing against us, forcing us to raise the latencies all the way back up to the rated ones in order to actually hit the 1066MHz - harsh. Still, with so many great points along the way, we'll sure you'll find something to love.

Corsair XMS2-8500 3830-1020-4435

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