Corsair XMS2 8500 DDR2 Memory Review

Overclocking and Conclusions

To give a better sense of how the XMS2 8500 modules perform under overclocked conditions, we experiment with three different Socket 775 systems to give you the best picture.

Overclocking Settings

To test the RAM, I used the following settings in the BIOS, note that each system is configured differently and will give different overclocking results.

* The RAM voltage is not adjustable on the GA-G1975X. Attempting to do so will cause the system to not POST.

Overclocking on Asus P5WD2

By far the best experience of the three motherboards in terms of overclocking the XMS2 8500. It was able to reach a maximum of 1000MHz memory frequency at 5-5-5-15 before the started to hit its maximum overclock. At 3-3-3-6, the XMS2 8500 managed 726 MHz which is good for DDR2 memory. With 3-2-2-6 however, the system refused to even POST.

At tighter timings I found that there was less forgiveness in overclocking – either the system was stable or it wasn’t.

Overclocking is limited, obviously, to the fact that I am not using an 955 Extreme Edition CPU which is typical of most users. We hope to have some EE numbers in the near future.

Overclocking on the GA-G1975X

Without a usable memory voltage option, the GA-G1975X suffers in overclocking performance and hence the XM2 8500’s potential is held back. At 5-5-5-15 we managed only 890 MHz, and startling is the paltry 686 MHz at 3-3-3-6. I haven’t had much luck with the GA-G1975X since I reviewed it a few months back, but many NewEgg customers have had good experiences with it.

Overclocking on the EPoX EP-5NVA+

The issue here is the limitation of the memory bus on the NVIDIA C19 chipset – anything higher than 800 MHz will cause the system to not boot. In our case 675 MHz was the highest possible memory bus speed we were able to address and using a tool like ClockGen to manually set a frequency higher would cause a lock-up.

Conclusions

In comparing the XMS2 8500 to the XMS2 8000UL we reviewed not long ago, the XMS2 8500 beats the XMS2 8000UL slightly in overclocking. At 5-5-5-15, the 8000UL maxed at 997 MHz whereas the 8500 managed 1000 MHz. At 3-3-3-9, the XMS2 8500 beat the XMS2 8000UL by a 5 MHz sliver by posting a 795 MHz overclock. While the XMS2 8500 isn’t a massive step forward in terms of overclocking, it is an improvement nonetheless.

To repeat our testing limitation, the Intel P4 560 CPU we are using is causing a bottleneck by stopping the RAM from being overclocked higher than 1000 MHz. I realize vendors always want to show off their product’s potential using the latest and best hardware, but the reality is that most users don’t have that kind of equipment so even tests with an old P4 560E is very informative.

Assuming your motherboard is up to the task, the latest DDR2 kit from Corsair will prove to be a great overclocking companion. Let’s not forget the lifetime warranty and the great support that comes with each module.

There is also a 2GB package (with EPP) as well as a 1GB reviewed here. To find them both, check out PriceGrabber to find all the retailers and competing products.