Now it is time to see if we can push the Pro Series past it's rated speed of 500MHz. After weeks of testing, we found that it was next to impossible to push the Pro Series DDR much past 255MHz FSB (510MHz DDR) at any voltage or memory timings. After countless crashes, I concluded that 510MHz FSB was all she could do with the Pro Series DDR. Here is what Sandra had to show at 510MHz:

This is a slight increase in performance, but very disappointing in the overclocking department.

Conclusion

     Corsair's new Pro Series has to be the fanciest memory I have ever seen. The LEDs are a very cool feature that really adds to the looks of the interior of a computer. However, all the lights in the world can't cover up the problem we had, as well as the problems I've been reading about at other veteran hardware sites (sample). Either the memory wasn't quite ready, or motherboard manufacturers weren't given the time or opportunity to test the Pro Series with their products so they could release a bios update. Either way, it looks like Corsair needs to sit down with P4 motherboard manufacturers (including Albatron, EPoX and ABIT) and quickly work out these compatibility issues.

     Yes, the memory ran at it's default settings and speed, but only when we increased voltage. I just shouldn't be necessary to overvolt any memory to achieve default ratings. Again, I'm sure a simple BIOS update will cure these compatibility issues, but for now it's just a waiting game.

     As for overclocking, if you are talking about overclocking a CPU while using the Pro Series DDR, then it will work just fine for you. However, when we are talking about overclocking DDR, then the Pro Series failed to do so with our setup. Again, we are not alone in discovering this.

     One extremely important fact I must point out is Corsair does state on their website that the Pro Series memory was tested on an ASUS P4C800 motherboard. Unfortunately, they do no state whether or not they tested the Pro Series with any other brand or model of motherboard. Also, the only reviews that I have read that favored the Pro Series DDR was tested on the ASUS P4C800. For now, if you own the ASUS P4C800 or plan to upgrade to one, you are good to go with the Pro Series DDR.

     It does not bring me joy to do this as Corsair has been a close alley of Club Overclocker for years, but I must sadly point out flaws when I see them. The world just wasn't ready for Corsair's Pro Series DDR. I just hope motherboard manufacturers get on the ball and work with Corsair to iron out these compatibility issues we found and have been reading about.