Corsair TWIN2X1024-8500 Review - PAGE 1

Corsair has been producing high speed DDR2 modules for quite a while; and they recently shipped us their TWIN2X1024-8500 dual channel memory kit for review. The kit consists of a matched pair of CM2X512-8500 modules that are tested at 1066MHz with 5-5-5-15 2T timing at 2.2V to qualify for the PC2-8500 rating.

Now that AMD is about to release socket AM2 and its related DDR2 memory interface processors, we are finally seeing the beginning of the end for DDR. The future will belong to DDR2 and newer memory technologies.

The Corsair site tells us that these modules are:

• 512 MB standard 240 pin DDR2 DIMM
• uses eight 64Mx8 DDR2 memory chips
• SPD programmed for 5-5-5-15 at DDR2-800
• 100% tested at 1000MHz in high performance DDR2 motherboards
• Lifetime warranty

The benchmark guide also suggested some other timings that the modules work at:

• 3-3-3-9-2T at PC6100
• 3-4-4-9-2T at PC6400
• 4-4-4-12-2T at PC8100
• 5-5-5-15-2T at PC8600

Now we will test to see if the modules perform as specified... and can we beat the specifications?