TwinMOS Dual Channel PC3200 DDR RAM

Company: TwinMOS
Product: 256MB PC3200
Street Price: ~$55
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Reviewed By: Joey Chao

Examining the Memory:

The TwinMOS PC3200 is packaged in a clear, plastic shell. The first thing we noticed is that the memory was not bundled together but in to separate shells. Immediately, we checked on TwinMOS' website and found no information on the "Dual Channel Kit." We believe that this memory is not actually paired, unlike the name suggests. Paired memory means that the two sticks are tested together and then packaged together. The reason companies like Corsair and OCZ do this is because it ensures that the modules are compatible together in a dual channel configuration and overclock around the same speeds. Also there are very strict requirements that have to be met to run dual channel on chipsets like the 875P. The memory modules almost have to be identical.

This memory, like the Crucial PC3200 we reviewed, does not come with heat spreaders. Heat spreaders are supposed to help dissipate the heat produced by the chips and possibly aid in overclocking. We have found that heat spreaders do not really help that much in overclocking. On the memory is a shiny sticker bearing the TwinMOS logo, and on the far right side of the memory there is another stick clearly marking that the memory is PC3200 rated at CAS 2.5. Of course, if this sticker is removed, the warranty is voided.

Both sticks are single sided, meaning the TSOP chips are only on one side of the PCB. Single sided memory is believed to overclocker higher than double sided because of less density and noise. We are not 100% believers of this theory since we have had very good luck overclocking double sided sticks.

The chips used on this memory are all TwinMOS. The last three markings, "50B", indicate that this memory is 5ns and rated at CAS 2.5. Currently JEDEC only supports PC3200 as the latest standard. Some companies awhile back were using 6ns chips and overclocking them to PC3200. This TwinMOS is "true" PC3200. TwinMOS does, however already have PC3700 which uses 4.3ns chips. They like to stay ahead.