Comparison and notes
How does this compare to other PC3200 modules ?. I compared the Corsair XMS3500 C2 directly to the memory that it replaced as Corsair's flagship model, the XMS3200 C2, and some of Mushkin's premium PC3200 memory.
The other two modules were 256MB sticks. Corsair's XMS3200 memory uses handpicked 6ns Winbond modules and Mushkin's PC3200 is reputed to use 5ns Winbond modules, much like the PC3500 memory.
The method I chose was to use was to specify 3 sets of timings and see how far each module could go with 2.84v voltage. After all, memory that natively runs at DDR400, or above, is enthusiast-only territory. I ran Memtest for 5 minutes each time to ensure basic stability at each step. The potency of the processor and the 3:4 ratio meant that memory MHz wasn't a problem until 240MHz. (180FSB)
Firstly, I tried super-strict timings of 2-5-2-2 enhanced. No module has ever liked these on my particular motherboard, so I wasn't expected much.
No module can hit DDR400 speeds with these timings applied. Please note that this can be very motherboard specific.
Next I tried my regular timings of 2-7-2-2 enhanced. The Act-to-Precharge delay is vital. 5 clocks is too harsh. 7 clocks is usually meet with greater tolerance.
The 5ns-equipped modules do far better here, and all modules surpass DDR400 speeds with these performance-enhancing timings.
Lastly, 2.5-7-3-3 (enhance off). I don't really see the point of using these extremely weak timings unless you're attempting to maximise the FSB of your processor. It would have to be some processor, too, capable of 180+FSB.
I have a feeling that my ABIT's Northbridge was getting a little bothered at 179FSB, even though the processor seemed fine. All modules comfortably exceed DDR450 speeds with these timings, but real, usable bandwidth is better with DDR430 and 2-7-2-2 enhanced timings. I'm especially pleased that the Corsair XMS3500 can go to 226MHz with 2-7-2-2 timings with excellent stability, albeit with ~ 2.85v.
