Scale the frequency ladder and the crème de la crème is typified by Core i7-oriented modules running at 2GHz. Corsair has a couple of DOMINATOR GT packs, OCZ lists the Blade Series, and G.Skill has announced the Perfect Storm series, all CL7 kits based on, it seems, Elpida ICs. Another entrant has been making noise about its Core i7 2GHz memory, and it’s none other than Kingston - the runaway (third-party) leader in global DRAM sales.
To see what all the fuss is about, we take an in-depth look at some imaginatively-titled HyperX KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX modules, to see if they can upset the apple-cart in the ultra-high-end space. The HyperX KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX memory are the flagship modules from Kingston’s range, and are the second set to be qualified at 2,000MHz on a Core i7 platform, after the slightly more-relaxed KHX16000D3K3/3GX series, currently only available as a 3GB kit.
Adopting the tall heatspreaders found on the company’s high-end T1-series DDR2/DDR3 modules, the HyperX look pretty funky. A close-up shot of the sticker infers a 2,000MHz operating frequency but makes no mention of the latencies. Digging a little deeper, we find these Ultra modules run with 8-8-8 timings, so not quite as aggressive as the Corsair CL7 kit, who also details a CL8 kit for $479.99, including AIRFLOW fan. Being optimised for Core i7, the RAM runs at 1.65V, and the sticker clearly denotes that it’s a pack of three modules, available in either 3GB or 6GB flavours - our sample is the latter.
The aluminium heatspreaders aren’t quite as chunky as the DOMINATOR GT’s, although build quality is equally good. Bear in mind that only a few X58 boards will manage to hit 2,000MHz with utter stability, and we’d recommend either the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 or ASUS P6T Deluxe. Kingston backs up the modules with a limited lifetime warranty, but it’s not transferable should the RAM be sold on. At the time of writing, the modules are available on pre-order for around $430US. Our recent look at pricing showed that a 6GB DDR3-1,333 kit from Crucial can be procured for around $100, so ultra-high-speed RAM needs to provide tangible performance benefits if it’s to be worthy of consideration.
Buying advice is based on a couple of factors. The HyperX Ultra 2GHz Core i7 tri-channel kit looks to be priced at around $430US and will be available in a couple of weeks’ time. Seeing how close it benchmarks to Corsair’s class-leading DOMINATOR GT, it can be recommended to the enthusiast - and only the enthusiast - who doesn’t have the extra $200 for the 7-8-7-20 GT set customers, however, would be best advised to go for the Corsair DOMINATOR GT 8-8-8, costing $50 more than the Kingston set - no VAT to pay, remember - but featuring the AIRFLOW cooling appendage and option to mount a TEC or waterblock on top.