Twinmos TwiSTER 3GB PC3-12800

Twinmos picked the ‘TwiSTER' name for its performance line because it reckons the last four characters define its product; the ‘S' stands for ‘speed' whereas ‘TER' is short for ‘terrific'.

Our TwiSTER PC3-12800 test sample runs natively at a frequency of 1600MHz but if you're looking for higher frequencies, you can also buy 1866MHz and 2000MHz kits. Each of the modules offers 1GB of memory (for a total of 3GB), though higher memory capacities are available.

Each module runs at a CAS latency of 8 and draws 1.65volts. At the kit's standard specifications the Twinmos kit performed on par with other 1600MHz triple channel Core i7 memory kits we've tested. On the overclocking front we were able to push the modules to a frequency of 1866MHz while maintaining a CAS latency of 8. The only change we had to make to maintain stability was to increase the memory voltage to 1.72volts. Because of the voltage increase the modules' heatspreaders became warm but stability was never compromised.

This memory kit isn't without fault however; when we installed the sticks in triple channel configuration in the first memory bank on our Foxconn Renaissance x58 board, the machine failed to boot. Only when we shifted the modules to the second bank did the machine  POST and boot into Windows.