Normally, in the enthusiast-oriented review sector, ECC / Registered RAM isn?t a topic many pay attention to.  After all, these are RAM types that are normally reserved for servers and / or workstations, not desktop or gaming PC?s.  The launch of AMD?s Athlon 64 FX-51 (and its requirement of registered memory) has focused attention on this heretofore largely ignored RAM type (at least in normal reviews). 

Lets first step through what exactly it means for RAM to be ECC and / or Registered, then look at the RAM modules specifically themselves.

ECC:  ECC stands for ?Error Correcting Code?, and is a feature most commonly found within server / workstations.  ECC RAM can detect errors (both single and multi-bit) and is able to fix single-bit errors ?on the fly? and transparently to the end user.  This is extremely useful in systems which are kept online constantly and in which ?soft? errors inevitably occur, which is why its typically a RAM type deployed in workstations and servers.

Registered:  Registered memory uses a single ?register? chip to route and store address and command data.  The memory controller does not see the chips on each bank?it sees only the register, and thus, does not have to drive data to the individual chips.  RAM can be Registered and not ECC, but since both features are typically demanded simultaneously, they are usually found together.

Opteron actually does not require ECC memory (it DOES require Registered memory), but the two functions are practically synonymous when it comes to modern RAM.  It?s possible to get Registered-but-not-ECC memory (or vice versa), but the majority of modern RAM is sold as both simultaneously, as are the types we?ll be examining today.

Corsair CMX512RE-3200LL

Corsair?s 3200LL RAM is certified for low-latency operation (2-3-2-6) and specifically tested in the ASUS SK8N motherboard (the same board we used for testing today).  Corsair has a reputation for providing premium enthusiast parts and offers a lifetime warranty on its product.  We tested these DIMMs in the Tyan S2885 and ASUS SK8V as well as the ASUS SK8N?they were perfectly compatible in each.

Mushkin PC3200 ECC Registered Memory (991120):

Mushkin?s PC3200 ECC Registered memory is an older, slower standard that is currently being phased out in favor of the company?s newer 91125 model.  Mushkin isn?t the largest of the RAM manufacturers, but they?ve got a high reputation for quality and a strong product line.  We?ve included the 991120 RAM mainly for reference?we?ll also check the 991125?s performance (and overclocking ability) below.

(Note--the 991125 and 991120 models are identical-looking, save for the model number itself in the upper-right hand corner).

Mushkin PC 3200 ECC Registered Memory (991125):

Much like the 991120, the 991125 is ECC Registered Memory, but runs at lower latencies: 2-3-2 vs. 2.5-3-3.   

Kingston HyperX PC3200 ECC Registered RAM:

Kingston?s HyperX was one of the first ECC RAM products launched on the ?Net, and, with a latency timing of 3-3-3 is also the slowest timed of the RAM we?ll test today.  It is, however, the only RAM that fully conforms to JEDEC specifications?the other two designs we?ll examine use a TSOP form factor, while only Kingston uses BGA.  We?d have pictures to illustrate the difference, but Kingston?s HyperX uses heat spreaders?and we?ve been informed by reliable sources that BGA RAM is significantly more fragile than TSOP RAM?flexing the DIMM can cause the solder points on BGA to break relatively easily.  Since heatsinks generally can?t be detached without a fair degree of force, this isn?t the smartest of ideas.

next >

---

• Review Systems, Benchmarks (1 of 5)
• Benchmarks, Cont (2 of 5)
• Stock Speed Analysis, OC Performance (3 of 5)
• OC Performance, Cont (4 of 5)
• Pricing and Conclusion (5 of 5)