Customer Reviews

Corsair DOMINATOR 2 GB (2 X 1 GB) 240-pin DDR2 1066 MHz Dual-Channel Memory Kit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

When I initially built my computer I used Corairs 2GB PC6400 800MHz RAM. While it worked well it wouldn't overclock good at all on my EVGA 680i board and even with loosening the timings and overvolting I couldnt get the 800mhz up to 1066 with the XMS2. Being that my Q6600 processor is rated with a 1066mhz FSB and the XMS2 memory is only 800mhz I decided to upgrade to the Dominator memory. By doing this you are getting factory overclocked ram which now matches my processor which has a 1066mhz FSB. If you use RAM with a FSB rating of 800mhz and your processor has a FSB rating of 1066Mhz you are creating a bottleneck. It's good to try and keep your CPU FSB and memory FSB as close to a 1:1 ratio as possible.

While the XMS2 PC6400 is good, the Dominator PC8500 is much better. Not only are they cherry picked for best performance, their built much better and also include a nice heat spreader. Being that RAM is one of the most important components in your system to keep your programs running fast you don't want to skimp here. Once you go past PC8500 ram it starts getting VERY expensive. This speed is a great balance between price, performance, and value for a higher end computer.

As I said this ram comes factory overclocked to 1066mhz with decent timings at 5-5-5-15. At these settings they should run at 2.1 volts. You can of course try and overclock these even higher or at the least run them with tighter timings. The sticks are very flexible and overclocker friendly. Even at stock settings they are very good as well.

I have to say I love the release of DDR3 ram only because it's driving down the price of this fine quality DDR2 ram! Do yourself a favor and stay away from the way overpriced DDR3 and get this. The performance increase is nil and the price is beyond reasonable. Why even bother when you can get just as good performance in DDR2 for half the price? These sticks are a steal and for the price you would be hard pressed to find a better performer. Get em while their cheap folks! :)

Edit-I just want to add that there are two versions of this same model memory. Version 1.x is Micron memory which is said to overclock better and needs to be set a 2.2 volts. The other version is 2.x and is made by Qimonda. I happen to have the Micron chips. You can tell this by looking at the sticker on your sticks. This is important to know. I made the mistake of initially volting my RAM at 2.1 and got random reboots. I didn't bother looking at the sticker to see what I had. Turns out I lucked out and got the rare Micron chip. Once I set the voltage to 2.2V I had no problems whatsoever. Just wanted to add this information and maybe save you the frustration I went through. :)

Used in my high end DIY build along with a Q6600 and (2) 8800GTXs. Only concern was that the 680i mobo did not say that this memory was SLI ready. Other than that...everything about the memory was great for OC-ing and performance.

I already had 4GB of the Corsair Dominator in my desktop. I wanted 2 GB more of the same memory. Good memory.

I bought these a year ago, so far so good, they passed every test i put them through (Memtest and Prime95), they are rock solid and the best to get.

I've just bought another 2GB month ago, i got a dead stick, its frustrating some how, but Amazon customer support was great and sent me new ones as soon as i reported the problem, i installed them and they are working great. the 4 sticks are running on 1066. (this depends on your mainboard, it might have limitations to run 4sticks on 1066, so you might be limited to 800)

The only reason i'm giving them 4 stars is because i got a defected stick.

I am currently using this memory in my computer on an ASUS P5K-E Motherboard with an E8400 CPU and Vista Ultimate 32 bit. I am more of a default person so after I put these sticks on my motherboad I just updated the BIOS on the motherboard and I set the DRAM frequency in Bios to 1066. Thats it. I don't overclock because I am not a gamer but I do a lot of video processing. I have never had any problems or concerns with this memory at all, Ever and it is about a year old. Recently I started using more complex programs requiring me to expand my memory to 4gb or 6gb. What I found out was a little upsetting. Since I am using Vista Ultimate 32 bit version it only recognizes up to 3GB of RAM. In order for me to go higher I need a 64 bit version of windows and then I can go up to 8GB of RAM Max that the motherboard supports. I wish I had known this last year when I put this system together. Live And Learn I guess. Since memory prices have come way down since the introduction of DDR3,I will probably add 4GB of this same memory so I have a six stick 6GB matched set (2x1GB + 2x2GB) and a 64 bit version of Vista Ultimate. I was thinking about getting Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit when It is released next month (October, 2009) but if Windows 7 is anything like Vista was when it was first released it will probably take a year for microsoft to work out all the bugs. Who Knows?? Only time will tell.

This is an excellent buy for those on a budget. Bought this as an add on upgrade to my already existing 2Gig and I am loving it so far.

I've used Corsair Dominator Dual-Channel memory for years now. I've always experienced great performance from my pairs and this set is no exception. Great product!

I have to Return One Module as it Does Not Work- but I bought 2 More and They Kick in OverClock Mode!

the cosair memory fit and worked with no problems. The delivery was prompt and was placed in a protective envelope. There were no problems.
I have no problems with doing more business If need should arise.

I purchased these 2 separate times. The first time I sent them back because both modules were defective. The replacement set had 1 bad module so I said to heck with it and set them back. I bought some OCZs and they are still doing great years down the road. I just wanted to give a heads up with these as you have a good chance of getting bad memory.