Corsair TWINX512-3200LL modules were the only ones to handle such aggressive timings. Note however that this same memory was no record-breaker with non-aggressive timings.
This fact is yet another confirmation of the above-said rule: the memory intended for super-high frequencies does not like aggressive timings, even if the frequency it works at is much below the norm. On the contrary, the memory intended for work with minimal timings cannot support high frequencies. This way we have to admit that there is no universal memory for the PC. That is why when choosing your own memory, you should decide beforehand if you are going to overclock the memory bus in your system. If you are set on that, high-frequency overclocker memory may be the right choicer for you. Otherwise, you would be better off using memory with lower specified frequencies but supporting more aggressive timings.
In fact, we have already pronounced our inferences in the respective sections of the review. Now, let us put it all together:
- Memory timings affect the performance of the Pentium 4 platform quite perceptibly. So, if you have spent money on an expensive processor, do not save on memory. Memory modules with less aggressive timings will not allow the processor to work at its best.
- Performance is mostly affected by RAS# to CAS# Delay and RAS# Precharge parameters. These are the settings you should strive to reduce in the first place. As for CAS Latency, the influence of this parameter on the performance is less evident than we usually think.
- It is preferable to use the memory and the CPU buses at the same frequency, that is in synchronous mode. That’s why it makes sense to buy overclocker memory, capable of supporting high frequencies, if you are into overclocking. On the other hand, the performance gain you have when using overclocker memory is rather small compared to the performance of ordinary DDR SDRAM working asynchronously with the FSB.
- You should not be afraid of using diminishing coefficients for the memory frequency. If you compensate with lower timings the effects of the asynchronous mode, you will have just a little performance drop.
- Overclocker memory with operational frequencies much over 400MHz cannot work with aggressive timings at 400MHz. Analogously, DDR400 SDRAM that works at 400MHz with 2-2-2-5 timings is usually non-operational at higher frequencies.
We guess you have caught our point – selection of proper memory modules for your system is a critical and complex choice. We hope that our recommendations will help you in finding the right memory for your own outstandingly fast Pentium 4-based platform.