Dominator Qualification and Testing Updated 5-05-2009
Corsair has developed a methodology in-house for developing, qualifying, and testing memory for use in over clocking applications. Some common questions about this process are answered below, and details are given for testing for specific XMS product families.
Q: What does XMS mean, and what is the idea behind it?
A: We have taken to heart a few facts that over clockers have known for years:
1) Many integrated circuits are capable of operating much faster than their specified speed
2) Standards organizations by their very nature have a difficult time keeping up with market changes.
XMS, or eXtreme Memory Speed, is the process that Corsair uses to take ICs rated at one speed and verify/guarantee their operation at another speed. Since specifications have not been generated to accurately specify operating parameters, Corsair gives these parts an XMS rating. For example, since PC2400 does not exist according to any valid standards institution, Corsair parts are called XMS2400.
Q: How do you verify operation at the XMS speed?
A: In a nutshell, through extensive evaluation in our lab. In order to offer an XMS module, a RAM must be found which can run with adequate stability in multiple platforms at the XMS-rated speed. Testing is done using both Corsairs’ stress-testing fixture, as well as by running common benchmarks, applications programs, operating systems, and games. Parts are evaluated over voltage and temperature extremes to monitor stability. No XMS part is released until all criteria are met.
Q: How do you guarantee operation at the XMS speed?
A: XMS parts are a speed screen of Corsair's standard parts. They are 100% tested at the XMS-rated speed; parts that fall out of this test are tested at the standard rated speed. For example, XMS2400 modules are 100% tested at 300 MHz. Parts that do not meet this speed grade are then tested at PC2100. Specific testing parameters for various XMS products are given below.
Q: How do you program the SPD of XMS parts?
A: Programming the SPD of our XMS parts is a bit problematic. The industry-standard specifications for the SPD values of XMS parts are often not yet defined by JEDEC (the appropriate standards organization) when the parts are introduced. In order to maintain compatibility with the multitudes of motherboards and BIOS revisions out there, the SPD values are programmed at the fastest available parameters defined by JEDEC. The SPD values are defined in the matrix below. Note, though, that in ALL CASES the Corsair part number (which contains the XMS speed grade) is programmed into the SPD as well.
DDR2 Dominator
DDR2 XM2S6400C3DF EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR2 XM2S6400C4D EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR2 XM2S8500/C5D EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR2 XM2S8888/C4DF EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR2 XM2S9136C5D EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR2 XM2S10000C5DF EPP + JEDEC Values for PC2-6400C5
DDR3 Dominator & DHX
DDR3 XMS3-1067C7DHX Custom Values for PC3-1067
DDR3 XM3S-1333C9 JEDEC Values SPD set to DDR1066 @1.5 Volts
DDR3 XM3S-1333C9DHX Custom Values for PC3-1333
DDR3 XM3S-1600C10DHX Custom Values for PC3-1600
DDR3 XMS3-1600C7DHX Custom Values for PC3-1600
DDR3 XMS3-1600C9DHX Custom Values for PC3-1600
DDR3 XMS3-1800C7DF Custom Values for PC3-1800
DDR3 XMS3-1800C8DF Custom Values for PC3-1800
DDR3 XMS3-2000C9DF Custom Values for PC3-1800
DDR3 TRI XM3S Dominator & DHX & "GT"
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X3G1333C9 /TR3X6G1333C9
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X3G1600C9/TR3X6G1600C9
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X3G1600C8D/TR3X6G1600C8D
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X3G1866C9DF/TR3X6G1866C9DF
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X6G1866C7GTF
DDR3 XMS3-TR3X3G2000C8GTF/TR3X6G2000C8GTF
Q: My XMS module does not work at the rated speed in my system. Why not?
A: There are many reasons why this can happen. Let me outline a few of them:
1) There are lots of motherboards out there, and we can only realistically evaluate/qualify a handful. You may have a motherboard that simply does not overclock well.
2) There is interaction between specific RAM manufacturers and specific motherboard manufacturers. Thus, for example, while EPoX boards might work best with RAM vendor A, Soyo boards might work better with RAM vendor B. Corsair strives to find the RAM that works most universally.
3) Other system components may not be overclock able. This may include the processor, chip set, PCI bus, IDE channel, etc.
4) The demands of today’s high end graphics cards and GHz processors the quality of your power supply has become increasingly important. Make sure you power supply make and model is approved by your motherboard manufacturer and/or your CPU manufacturer.
There are many sites on the web which can give you more reasons, tell you which boards are best for overclocking. To get an idea, go to your favorite search engine and search for "overclocking guide".
*Important Note* Unless stated otherwise, all testing is done with only one module at a time.
XMS DDR2 Dominator!
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-6400C3DF:
Twin2x2048-6400C3DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model: Asus M2N32-SLI, Premium/Deluxe
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
AI Over Clock Tuner: Manual
CPU External Frequency: Manually set to 200/266MHz
DDR2 SDRAM Clock: Manually set to 800MHz
PCI Express Freq: Auto
PCI Freq: 33.33
Performance Mode: Standard
DRAM Timing Selectable: Manual
SDRAM CAS Latency: 3T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 4T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 3T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 9T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
Command Rate: 2T
DDR2 SDRAM Voltage: 2.4 V
CPU Core Voltage: Auto
FSB Termination V: 1.50 V
MCH Chipset V: 1.65V
ICH Chipset V: 1.20V
M2N32-SLI
ADVANCED Voltage Control:
CPU Vcore offset:-Disabled
DDR2 Termination:-0.5X
CPU to NB HT:_____1.200V
NB to SB HT:______Auto
NB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Standby core:__+1.500V
All other settings are motherboard defaults.
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.2 Volts
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-6400C4D:
Twin2x2048-6400C4D Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model: Asus P5B, P5WD2 or M2N32-SLI Premium/Deluxe
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
AI Over Clock Tuner: Manual
CPU External Frequency: Manually set to 200MHz
DDR2 SDRAM Clock: Manually set to 800MHz
PCI Express Freq: Auto
PCI Freq: 33.33
Performance Mode: Standard
DRAM Timing Selectable: Manual
SDRAM CAS Latency: 4T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 4T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 4T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 12T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
Write to Precharge Delay: 15 (If its Listed)
Command Rate: 2T
DDR2 SDRAM Voltage: 2.1
CPU Core Voltage: Auto
FSB Termination V: 1.50 V
MCH Chipset V: 1.65V
ICH Chipset V: 1.20V
All other settings are motherboard defaults.
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.1 Volts
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-8500/C5D:
Twin2x2048-8500C5D Data Sheet
Twin2x4096-8500C5DF Data Sheet
Memory Voltage 2.2 Volts Version 1.x and 2.15 Volts for version 2.x.
Motherboard make and model: Asus P5B or M2N32-SLI Premium/Deluxe Only!
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
AI Over Clock Tuner: Manual
OC Operation: Disabled
NOS Operation: Disabled
CPU External Frequency: Manually set to 268 MHz
PCI CLK1: Auto
PCI CLK2: Auto
DDR2 Voltage control: 2.20V Ver 1.x (2.1 Volts for 2.X)
CPU Core Voltage: Auto
CPU Multiplier: 10
DDR2 SDRAM Clock: Manually set to 800MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable: Manual
SDRAM CAS Latency: 5T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 5T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 5T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 15T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
1T/2T: 2T
A1 Clock Skew: Auto
ADVANCED Voltage Control:
CPU Vcore offset:-Disabled
DDR2 Termination:-0.5X
CPU to NB HT:_____1.200V
NB to SB HT:______Auto
NB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Standby core:__+1.500V
All other settings are motherboard defaults.
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.2 Volts for Rev 1.x and 2.1 Volts for Ver. 2.X
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-8888/C4DF:
Twin2x2048-8888C4DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model: Asus M2N32-SLI Only!
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
AI Over Clock Tuner: Manual
OC Operation: Disabled
NOS Operation: Disabled
CPU External Frequency: Manually set to 278 MHz
PCI CLK1: Auto
PCI CLK2: Auto
DDR2 Voltage control: 2.40V
CPU Core Voltage: 1.56V
CPU Multiplier: 10
DDR2 SDRAM Clock: Manually set to 800MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable: Manual
SDRAM CAS Latency: 4T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 4T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 4T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 12T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
1T/2T: 2T
ADVANCED Voltage Control:
CPU Vcore offset:-Disabled
DDR2 Termination:-0.5X
CPU to NB HT:_____1.200V
NB to SB HT:______Auto
NB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Core/PCI-E:____Auto
SB Standby core:__+1.500V
A1 Clock Skew: Auto
Advance MEM CNTRL
Output driver control
CKE:______-Auto
CS/ODT:__-1.00X
ADD/CMD:_-1.00X
MEMCLK:__-1.00X
DATA:_____-Auto
DQS:______-Auto
DRAM:_____-Auto
All other settings are motherboard defaults.
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.4 Volts
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-9136C5D:
Twin2x2048-9136C5D Data Sheet
TWIN2X4096-9136C5DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model: EVGA 680I SLI Only! (Or X38 on 4096 Part)
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced Chipset Features
FSB & Memory Config: Disabled
SLI Ready Memory: CPUOC Max
Memory Timings: Optimal
EPP Enabled yeilds these settings:
Memory Frequency: 1142 MHz
DDR2 Voltage control: 2.10V
SDRAM CAS Latency: 5T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 5T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 5T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 15T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.1 Volts
Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-10000C5DF:
Twin2x2048-10000C5DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
EVGA 680I SLI Only!
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced Chipset Features
FSB & Memory Config: Disabled
SLI Ready Memory: CPUOC Max
Memory Timings: Optimal
EPP Enabled yeilds these settings:
Memory Frequency: 1250 MHz
DDR2 Voltage control: 2.40V
SDRAM CAS Latency: 5T
SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 5T
SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 5T
SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 18T
SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5
Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.1 Volts
XMS3 DHX
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1067C7DHX:
TWIN3X2048-1067C7DHX Data Sheet Coming Soon
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Control: AUTO
FSB Frequency: 266 MHz
PCIE Frequency: AUTO
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1067 MHz
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________7
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______7
RAS# Precharge:__________7
RAS# Activate to Precharge:20
DRAM Voltage:_________1.5V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1333C9DHX (IN):
TWIN3X2048-1333C9DHX Data Sheet
TW3X4G1333C9DHX Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Control: AUTO
FSB Frequency: 333 MHz
PCIE Frequency: AUTO
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1333 MHz
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________9
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______9
RAS# Precharge:__________9
RAS# Activate to Precharge:24
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Voltage:__________1.4500V
CPU PLL Voltage:_______1.6V
DRAM Voltage:_________1.5V
FSB Termination Voltage:_1.3V
North Bridge Voltage:____1.55V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1600C9DHX (IN):
TW3X2G1600C9DHX Data Sheet
TW3X4G1600C9DHX Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Control: AUTO
FSB Frequency: 400 MHz
PCIE Frequency: AUTO
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1333 MHz
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________9
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______9
RAS# Precharge:__________9
RAS# Activate to Precharge:24
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Voltage:__________1.4500V
CPU PLL Voltage:_______1.6V
DRAM Voltage:_________1.6V
FSB Termination Voltage:_1.3V
North Bridge Voltage:____1.55V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1600C7DHX (IN):
TWIN3X2048-16000C7DHX Data Sheet
TWIN3X4096-16000C7DHX Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Ratio Control:Manual
FSB Frequency: 400 MHz
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1600 MHz
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________7
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______7
RAS# Precharge:__________7
RAS# Activate to Precharge:20
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Voltage:__________1.500V
CPU PLL Voltage:_______1.6V
DRAM Voltage:_________1.8V (1.9V for 4 Gig 2X 2.0 Gig)
FSB Termination Voltage:_1.3V
North Bridge Voltage:____1.55V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1800C7DF (IN):
TWIN3X2048-1800C7DF Data Sheet Coming soon
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Control: Manual
FSB Frequency: 450 MHz
PCIE Frequency: 100 MHz
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1800 MHz
DRAM Command Rate: 2T/2N
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________7
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______7
RAS# Precharge:__________7
RAS# Activate to Precharge:20
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Voltage:__________1.500V
CPU PLL Voltage:_______1.60V
DRAM Voltage:_________2.0V
FSB Termination Voltage:_Auto
North Bridge Voltage:____1.71V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-1800C8D:
TW3X4G1800C8DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
ASUS P5K3, P5E3 Premium/Deluxe !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
Advanced
Jumper Free
AI Overclock: Manual
CPU Control: Manual
FSB Frequency: 450 MHz
PCIE Frequency: AUTO
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1800 MHz
DRAM Command Rate: 2T/2N
DRAM Timings Control: Manual
CAS# Latency:___________8
RAS# to CAS# Delay:______8
RAS# Precharge:__________8
RAS# Activate to Precharge:24
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Voltage:__________Auto
CPU PLL Voltage:_______Auto
DRAM Voltage:_________1.76V
FSB Termination Voltage:_Auto
North Bridge Voltage:____1.71V
All settings not listed should be left at AUTO or BIOS Default
Maximum DDR3 recommended VDIMM: 2.00 Volts
Testing parameters for TWIN3X/XMS3-2000C9D:
TW3X4G2000C9DF Data Sheet
Motherboard make and model:
EVGA 790I w/E8400 using Slots S2 and S4 BIOS Revision
P05 !
Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:
System Clocks
CPU Multiplier: 8
