A common mistake for the first time PC builder is buying cheap memory.  It’s easy to jump onto Pricewatch, and order 512MB of the least expensive DDR memory around, commonly called House Brand (whatever the hell that means), then spend months trying troubleshoot random lockups and crashes.

The new TwinX Matched Memory Module Pair is a high-end solution for the system builders looking for that little edge for maximum performance and stability.  I recall in the past people would actually hand pick their memory modules to ensure two sticks from the same batch, and at a premium cost, I might add.  Corsair has taken the trouble out of the matched pair scenario, and offers the TwinX Memory, featuring two hand-picked memory modules that have been tested to run stable as a pair.  While this may seem like an unneccessary expense, the introduction of newer dual-channel DDR motherboards (nForce2, Intel Granite Bay), brings with it higher demands of our memory.  Installing a pair of modules designed to work together at a given speed and timing will yield a much more stable system, and provide better performance.  The entire press release about these new TwinX its is available here, should you want to read it over at the Corsair website.

To quote the press release:

“TWINX memory kits take the guesswork out of dual channel motherboards,” stated John Beekley, Vice President of Marketing at Corsair. “By using modules that have been 100 tested, as a pair, in this environment, the user can be confident in the performance and stability of his or her dual channel system.”

The TwinX kit contains two low-latency memory modules, that have been tested as a pair in an Asus A7N8X. After successfully passing the tests the memory is packaged as a pair, and sold as a TwinX Matched Memory Pair.  The TwinX kits come in a variety of sizes and speeds, as seen in this table below:

• TWINX512-2700LL:  512MB, 333MHz, low latency


• TWINX512-3200LL: 512MB, 400MHz, low latency


• TWINX1024-2700LL: 1GB, 333MHz, low latency


• TWINX1024-3200LL: 1GB, 400MHz, low latency

The memory modules used in the TWINX kits are part of the Corair XMS line of memory.  The 333MHz kits utilize the CMX256A-2700LL modules, while the 400MHz kits features the CMX256A-3200LL part.  The XMS memory is screened specifically for high performance gaming applications and ultra-low 2-2-2-6 T1 latency settings.  Corsair’s XMS modules are configured by the SPD program to automatically boot with the these low latency settings, taking the trial-and-error out of the memory performance game.

Our review is based on the TWINX512-3200LL kit, running at 400MHz.  The kit arrived in a small box, containing the matched memory modules.  The plastic memory containers were taped together, then the part number label was applied over the tape, identifying the pair as a TWINX512 kit.  Flat black heat spreaders were installed on the modules, along with a holographic sticker with part nunbers and timing information.  As per the spec sheet, this memory was rated at 2-2-2-6-T1, 400MHz.