TCB3 - This is 6ns ram from Samsung commonly found on cas2-2-2-X PC2700 modules. It can hold very tight timings, and clock somewhat high. It is found in some PC3200 modules as well, but not rated at cas2-2-2-X. At 200 MHz, latencies are increased to cas2-3-3-6. While this is still respectable, it is nothing out of the ordinary. As far as overclocking goes, this ram can usually clock to around 230 MHz, which is pretty surprising as it is rated at 166 MHz. In fact, this can be found on some OCZ PC3700 modules! This ram would make a great choice if your front side bus frequency is limited to about 180 MHz or less, as the ultra tight timings will give a nice performance boost when compared to regular ram. It would still make great ram for overclocking past 200 MHz, but there are better choices to be had. As far as voltages, it is pretty much standard in that anything past 3.0 volts do not yield any greater results. This ram can be found in Corsair XMS2700, XMS3200, Kingston Hyper X PC2700, Mushkin PC3200, TwinMos and OCZ offerings. As you can see, it is pretty common and easy to find. On the used market, you can probably get a pretty good deal on it. Like other Samsung ram chips, you can identify it by reading “TCB3” on the chips themselves.
TCCC - TCCC is the revision “C” of the “TCC” line from Samsung. This ram is very versatile, meaning it can achieve pretty high frequency or pretty decent timings. This ram can clock to around 250-260 MHz on average. Timings at these speeds are usually cas3-4-4-8, unfortunately. This ram can be run at 200 MHz, however, and still keep timings such as cas2.5-3-3-6. This makes it a good all around ram that can be had for a relatively low price. You can find TCCC in PC3200 ram up through PC4000 ram. The only draw back to getting this in the PC4000 flavor is that it is very close to the end of its frequency already. The Kingston Hyper X PC4000 module I had containing TCCC only clocked to around 255 MHz before reaching its limit. It is somewhat responsive to voltage, but didn’t seem to budge after 2.8 volts or more was applied. You can also find this ram in Corsair XMS3700, Samsung PC3200 and many other Value Ram offerings. Overall, this ram is very similar to the Hynix D43 offerings, but the D43 outclocks this ram more often than not. If you can get this in a PC3200 Value Ram, you will get a great deal. Buying this in the PC4000 speed may not be the best idea.
TCC4 - Another offering from Samsung, this ram is pretty unpopular. It can be found on various PC3200 Value rams, as well as some PC2700 offerings. This is not the best overclocking choice, as it usually tops out around 210-220 MHz at cas3-3-3-X and requires added voltage to achieve that speed. Like other Samsung ram, it does not help to give extreme voltages. Since this ram is pretty hard to find anyway, it would be a better choice to go with either the TCCC or the D43 from Hynix, as both offer more flexibility and much more overclocking head room. This ram can had in some PC2700 Value Rams, as well as Samsung PC3200 ram. If you can find it in a Value Ram, it will most likely be a good deal. It is not in production anymore, so you would need to look on the used market. Like I mentioned earlier, some of the newer Samsung and Hynix chips would be a better choice. Identifying these chips is straight forward, as they will say “TCC4” on the modules.
TCC5 - This is a newer revision of the “TCC” series from Samsung. It is superior to the TCC4 in every way. It is commonly found on PC3700 offerings, and offers pretty good overclockability. This ram is rated to run at 233 MHz, so it already starts out higher than the TCC4 can usually clock to. Timings are very respectable at cas2.5-3-3-X depending on the manufacturer. This ram can be overclocked to reach 250 MHz sometimes, if the latencies are increased to cas3-4-4-X. Once again, extreme voltages do not aide in overclocking attempts. This ram is still not as common as the TCCC or the Hynix D43, but can usually found on the used market for a great price. Not a bad choice at all for either Intel or AMD systems, as it can offer good timings at 200 MHz or higher front side bus options. Not the most versatile ram, but certainly better than a lot of other offerings. If you can get your hands on this stuff, it would not make a bad choice, but it is out of production. Update on TCC5 - It looks like some of the newer revision TCC5 is capable of 2-2-2 timings at pc3200. This revision of the TCC5 can be found in Mushkin PC3200 Level 2 V2/V3, as well as OCZ PC3200 Platinum rev. 2. It can clock very high as well. Users of this ram have reported it can run 260mhz at 2.5-3-3 with very little voltage. Not a bad choice at all if you cannot get your hands on TCCD. Also, TCC5 uses the exact same die as TCCD, but it is binned at a lower speed. This doesn't seem to have a negative effect on the newer revision "F" chips.
TCCD - TCCD is another chip that will be remembered for long after its life. This ram has said to be the “BH-5 Replacement.” While some agree, some do not. They are VERY different ram chips, and do their own things very well. TCCD is probably the most versatile ram ever made. It can run up to about 220 MHz while holding super tight timings of cas2-2-2-X. It can also be run up near 300 MHz, while holding very respectable timings of cas2.5-4-4-X. Some people have even gotten above 300 MHz with timings of cas2.5-3-3-X. This is one of the highest clocking rams available today, and is relatively inexpensive for what you get. TCCD responds to voltage, but never really needs much of an increase to do its best. People have said that running it at 3.0 volts will help, but I have never achieved higher success going past 2.8 volts. This is especially useful, as 2.8 volts seems to be the maximum offered by most motherboards. The fact that this ram can run at 300 MHz on an UN-modded board is simply amazing. It makes it a great choice for everyone, regardless of what your setup may be. It has been argued that BH-5 is still superior. While that may hold true, the ease of running this ram fast makes up for any edge BH-5 may have on it. One complaint is that this ram is very picky when it comes to motherboard compatibility. I have heard that it has a hard time running well on Intel platforms. This ram really shines on the Athlon 64 platform since it is capable of extreme bandwidth. This ram can be found in almost any manufacturer now a days, including Kingston Hyper X, Corsair XMS, Patriot XBL, Mushkin Level 2, G.Skill, PQI Turbo and even Adata. There are specific part numbers in which you will need to take a look at, so head over to the ram list and check the part number of each manufacturer to be sure you are guaranteed to get TCCD. TCCD can also be identified by saying “TCCD” on the ram chips themselves. Get this stuff while you can folks, it may become a rarity like BH-5 did. Update on TCCD - TCCD is getting harder and harder to find as it is no longer in production. It seems to have been replaced by TCC5, which has proven to clock as high in most situations. The OCZ PC3200 rev. 2 Platinum was once TCCD, and now TCC5. Many other manufacturers are using TCC5 instead now because of the exit of TCCD. The exit of TCCD sort of scared everyone, but it is good to see that something has taken its place.
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