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It was interesting to find that while some memory could achieve similar frequencies and timings across multiple platforms, others could not. The ADATA XPG Plus v2.0 Series DDR3 1600MHz+ for example was quite consistent as its best timings, being CL6-7-6-18, were achieved on the AM3, LGA1156 and LGA1155 platforms. Furthermore it maxed out at 1866MHz on the LGA1156 platform and 1833MHz on the AM3 platform.
The Crucial Ballistix “BL2KIT25664FN1608“ PC3-12800 was also quite consistent, managing slightly better timings with the LGA1156 and LGA1155 platforms. That said, it maxed out at 1814MHz on the LGA1156 platform and 1798MHz on the AM3 platform. However at the bargain basement price of $78 US per 4GB kit, we feel it is hard to go by this Crucial memory. While the Kingston HyperX T1 Series PC3-16000 memory looked impressive when testing on the LGA1155 platform with the Core i7 2600K processor at a frequency of 2129MHz, it was not as extraordinary on all platforms. Testing first began with the Phenom II X4 970 processor on the AM3 platform and here the memory maxed out at 1841MHz, well below the 2000MHz specification. However the Core i5 750 processor on the LGA1156 platform provided far more impressive results, allowing the Kingston HyperX T1 Series PC3-16000 memory to soar to 2203MHz. At just $88 US per 4GB kit the Kingston HyperX T1 Series PC3-16000 memory is an ideal product for owners of an Intel dual-channel platform. However those upgrading to the new Sandy Bridge processor will probably want to invest a little more in the DDR3-2133 version to ensure they can run at the highest frequency, and at $105 it is only a small premium to pay. The ADATA XPG Plus v2.0 Series DDR3 1600MHz+ memory certainly looked the part and while it did overclock well, the results were not overly exceptional. Still, the memory did get up to 1866MHz on the LGA1156 platform, and it will accept timings as low as CL6-7-6-18 at 1333MHz. This is certainly quality memory and the key will be finding it for the right price, which may not be all that easy. With pricing suggested to be a little over $100 US it will be hard to justify purchasing this memory over the much cheaper Kingston HyperX T1 Series PC3-16000. The Mushkin Radioactive PC3-12800 also stands out in a crowd, though mainly due to its bright yellow paint job more than anything else. While the default timings of CL6-8-6-24 are mighty impressive for DDR3-1600 memory, we have not been excited about memory timings since the original DDR memory died out. Back in 2009 we proved that there is virtually no difference in performance between CL6, 7 and 8 memory on the AM3 platform and we later found much the same with the LGA1156 platform. Now we have also found that the new LGA1155 platform will not accept timings lower than CL8-8-7-24, at least using the processor/motherboard combo that we tested here with. While the Mushkin memory was able to run at CL6-6-5-18 timings on both the AM3 and LGA1156 platforms, it did little to aid system performance. The Mushkin memory did overclock particularly well on the LGA1156 platform, reaching an impressive 2180MHz, which is quite incredible really, and made ADATA’s 1600MHz+ memory look quite feeble. That said, like the ADATA memory we believe the Mushkin memory is also fetching quite a price premium, and while LGA1156 users can probably justify it, those using the AM3 or LGA1155 platforms will probably be better off looking elsewhere for their memory upgrade. The OCZ ULV Reaper HPC PC3-12800 was a quiet achiever, doing what no other memory featured in this roundup could and that was operate using just 1.55v, though expect to pay a price premium. At around $125 US per kit it is likely the most expensive memory featured in our roundup, and while it did overclock quite well and was able to utilize some pretty aggressive timings, we feel given the price it’s a tough sell. The Patriot Viper Xtreme PC3-16000 modules demonstrated that they are better on the LGA1155 platform than the slower DDR3-1600 memory, despite only working at 1862MHz. When it came to the AM3 and LGA1156 platform this memory cracked the 2000MHz barrier, as it is designed to do, and could handle CL7-7-7-18 timings at 1333MHz. At around $95 per 4GB kit the Viper Xtreme PC3-16000 memory is another great buy. In a nut shell it is hard to go by the quality of the Crucial Ballistix “BL2KIT25664FN1608“ PC3-12800 memory at just $78 US per 4GB kit, and therefore we are going to give it our value award. Without a doubt the Kingston HyperX T1 Series PC3-16000 also deserves our performance award, as it showed solid performance on all three platforms. However it is not just because this is DDR3-2000 memory that we are giving it the performance award, as that would be unfair to the DDR3-1600 contestants. Rather it is the combination of performance and the affordable price tag of $88 US per 4GB kit that has won Kingston the award. While we have awarded the Crucial and Kingston memory, we felt that all manufacturers offered something pretty special with each one of their products. The Mushkin Radioactive PC3-12800 overclocked like a champion and provided some of the best timings of any DDR3 memory that we have seen. The OCZ ULV Reaper HPC PC3-12800 worked perfectly at its low voltage settings, while the Patriot Viper Xtreme PC3-16000 did everything it was supposed to do plus a little extra, we also liked the custom PCB and cooling design as well. The unique PCB and cooling design of the ADATA XPG Plus v2.0 Series did look great, though ultimately it was flawed as populating all DIMM slots on a typical motherboard is not possible using this memory.
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Hannibal |
Posted on: 01/18/2011 09:58 PM
I don't care what anyone says the Kingston RAM is easily the coolest looking of the bunch and like you say the price is right. |
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corky |
Posted on: 01/19/2011 05:21 AM
OCZ memory has always been good to me. Thanks for the roundup. |
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me |
Posted on: 01/20/2011 01:10 AM
Look at the reference of the Kingston, it's a 2400Mhz kit that you have here! http://www.kingston.com/hyperx/products/t1_ddr3.asp |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 01/20/2011 01:38 AM
Sorry that was a typo, we had the KHX2000C9AD3T1K2/4GX. |
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fozzy bear |
Posted on: 01/22/2011 01:07 AM
Is there is a typo in the section of the Patriot ram $950 is aggressively priced? |
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ProX |
Posted on: 01/22/2011 04:19 AM
@ fozzy bear - that is clearly not a typo, of course the kit costs $950 and not $95 :S :P Thanks for the roundup. |
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fozzy bear |
Posted on: 01/23/2011 06:12 AM
i was teasing them a little bit but thank you for your comment very helpful |
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ProX |
Posted on: 01/23/2011 08:34 AM
teasing a little, that's helpful. Anyway it would have been nice to see some new G.Skill memory included but I understand that you cannot include everything. Still G.Skill is one of my favorites, their pricing is excellent. |
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Calle2003 Posts: 15 Joined: 2010-04-27 |
Posted on: 01/23/2011 06:42 PM
Posted by Steve 01/17/2011
Unseriously: Muskin Radioactive=Duke Nukem Memory? :P Posted by corky on 01/19/2011
Seriosly: OCZ is leaving the DRAM market but I hope for your sake you'll still have "lifetime" warranty. |