Corsair XMS3000 or Kingmax DDR400???

I'm finally upgrading my 8KHA+ and Kingmax PC2700 to a 8K3A+. However, I've been reading about the performance of high end ram sticks and have narrowed it down to two. Corsair XMS3000 or Kingmax DDR400.

I know Kingmax makes great ram that is extremely overclockable (that is key to me). I have never had any experience with Corsair modules.

My current Kingmax PC2700 will hit 183 at CAS2, and over 200 at CAS2.5. However I want to run at 200 and CAS2, preferably 2-2-2.

Does anyone have any experience with either of the above modules or any comments that could help me decide? Anything would be appreciated. TIA.

Pick between the 2, I will choose Corsair 3000.

If I may suggest, I would suggest you to try Samsung "original" PC2700. You can take a look at a review from VR-Zone ==> http://www.vr-zone.com/reviews/Memory/HighPerfDDR/.

Bellow is my experience on overclocking with 2 RAMs on my 8k3a+: (I have tried both KingMax PC2700 and Samsung PC2700)

* Kingmax ==> the best I could get was 180x10 (I was using 1900XP at that time) if I want timing set at 2-2-2-5-1. Which is set to "turbo" and also set the time commend from "auto" to 1T.

My result was exactly same as the review of 180Mhz. I did raised the Vcore to 2.1V and Ram core to 3.1V on my 8k3a+. In addition, I have modified my case quite a bit for good cooling.

* Samsung ==> I have placed order and still waiting for my order of Samsung "original" PC2700.

Meanwhile, I am lucky enough to work right next to a memory company (ATP). They are a small company focusing on high end RAM. So, I borrowed their Samsung chip based (using ATP own designed PCB) PC2700 RAM (512MB).

Test result ==> In VR-Zone's review, their Samsung original RAM (which is based on Samsung design PCB) reached 209Mhz @ turbo setting. My result was 201 Mhz x 8.5 (I used 2000XP in this test) but I used turbo plus forcing time command at 1T instead of Auto.

I am not sure the result difference was cuased by setting slightly different or maybe ATP designed PCB isnt up to the standard of Samsung original? Another possisbility is that the chip itself may just slight different on speed tolorence.

I will do a comparasion once my Samsung original RAM arrive. And see if I can have closer result compared to that review.

Even though the ATP's Samsung PC2700 is little slower. However, 201Mhz at turbo setting is still very respectalbe. I think I will make the purchase of the RAM they lend me.

The price for a 256MB Samsung is around $80 and Corsair PC3000 would cost about $120. And I highly suspect Corsair is using Samsung memory chip for PC3000 (they were using Nanya for PC2400 and PC2700). In my opinon, go for Samsung PC2700 makes more sense.




Epox 8k3a+ (rev. 1.2)
Kingmax PC2700
TwinMos PC2700 (Windbond chip)
Samsung PC2700
CoolerMaster ATC210 modified with 8 fans
Thermalright AX-7 with Delta 80CFM
PC mods rheobus 4 channel fan controller (17W per channel)
digiDoc5 for temp hardware monitoring
2 x IBM ATA 100 HD
Toshiba 16x DVD and Pelixter CD-ROM

MV99

I really like my PC3000 Mushkin. In my P4 system I can run ram faster than FSB so at 145 FSB and 3:5 divisor I get 220 MHz ram speed. I cant try any higher because I lose the 3:5 divisor option over 133 FSB. At the default 2.5v I can run the Mushkin at 220 MHz 2.5,3,3 timing. I highly reccomend the PC3000 mushkin for $89 or the PC3200 Mushkin for $119 at www.Mushkin.com. Both include heat spreaders and are manufactured on a black 6 layer PCB.

Corsiar,mushkin,ocz all are using the samsung chips now.
I have a 512mb stick of original samsung that will run 220mhz stable on my epox 4sda as well Bender.
I have to run my cpu at a low speed for 220mhz because the locked cpu only does 136fsb.

Did you see the pc3000 or 3200 thread?
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81977

There is someone with a 1.6a cpu on the 4SDA with the memory (ocz) at 220mhz getting over 3200mbs in sandra but his cpu is at 145fsb.

I can only set the memory to 204mhz with 136fsb and get 2900 in sandra with 2.5-2-2-6 1T

I also tried a 256mb stick of kingmag ddr400 from Kommax.
It would not run stable for me over 205mhz.
It might just not like the board thou.

The main reason Corsair is more expensive for the XMS memory is they test each and every module at the rated speed on an actual motherboard. Obviously, this is time-consuming and the cost gets passed on. I don't know about Mushkin, OCZ, etc, but I suspect for their 'PC3000+' they test (if they even test at all) samples from a batch and then sell the whole batch at different ratings, so I bet you'd see more variability from them than from Corsair who tests each module. (<rant mode> I really wish RAM manufacturers would stop abusing the 'PC' rating, since without the dash it does not have to comply to a standard. It irks me, but thena gain I am anal about things like that. Corsait calls theirs XMS**** for a reason.</rant mode>) ANYWAY hope I don't sound like a Corsair commercial! lol...If I was buying RAM right now I'd go with some Samsung manufactured PC2700...good price and OC's like crazy

i'm running my XMS3000 at cas2, 201FSB with 2.8V(max on my mobo)...i think if used on your Epox board you can run it on higher FSB, with 2.9V or 3V on memory....

Couldnt wait for my Samsung original PC2700 to arrive. I went ahead and picked up a Corsair PC3000 at Fry's.

I reached 214.7Mhz with setting at normal. I tried to attach the WCPUID but dont know how to attach the image.



Epox 8k3a+ (rev. 1.2)
LeadTek AD250 Ultra Ti4600
Corsair PC3000
Kingmax PC2700
TwinMos PC2700 (Windbond chip)
Samsung PC2700
CoolerMaster ATC210 modified with 8 fans
Thermalright AX-7 with Delta 80CFM
PC mods rheobus 4 channel fan controller (17W per channel)
digiDoc5 for temp hardware monitoring
2 x IBM ATA 100 HD
Toshiba 16x DVD and Pelixter CD-ROM

MV99

MV99 said:

Couldnt wait for my Samsung original PC2700 to arrive. I went ahead and picked up a Corsair PC3000 at Fry's.

I reached 214.7Mhz with setting at normal. I tried to attach the WCPUID but dont know how to attach the image.



Epox 8k3a+ (rev. 1.2)
LeadTek AD250 Ultra Ti4600
Corsair PC3000
Kingmax PC2700
TwinMos PC2700 (Windbond chip)
Samsung PC2700
CoolerMaster ATC210 modified with 8 fans
Thermalright AX-7 with Delta 80CFM
PC mods rheobus 4 channel fan controller (17W per channel)
digiDoc5 for temp hardware monitoring
2 x IBM ATA 100 HD
Toshiba 16x DVD and Pelixter CD-ROM

MV99

Click to expand...

How much was the xms3000 at FRY'S? At my local Fry's, it was $109.

I highly recommend that you read this article. It may be of really good use to you.

http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=177&PageID=1

Silver said:

I highly recommend that you read this article. It may be of really good use to you.

http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=177&PageID=1

Click to expand...

I read a similiar comparison, and thats why I bought the Mushkinpc3000....It was $85 at the time......now $89

Silversinksam said:

I read a similiar comparison, and thats why I bought the Mushkinpc3000....It was $85 at the time......now $89

Click to expand...

Now this is the SilverSink I know. BTW, there is someone else using your avatar and name in another thread. Better get over there. I think they are looking at making you into some kind of fish food or something.

Heads will roll if this is true

zck250 said:

How much was the xms3000 at FRY'S? At my local Fry's, it was $109.

Click to expand...

$109 was a promotion price. They were out of stock when I asked about 10 days ago. When I checked it again Wed, the price was $139 and they told me the promotion is over.

MV99

crucial is selling pc2700 on there site...

wow, thanks for that awesome comparison. that'll help me get me next stick!