Page 1: Intro, Packaging, Modules
Intro:
Even though my previous reviews on Kingston Technology products were about their flash division, Kingston still is very much an enthusiast RAM company. Their HyperX series now comes in DDR3 at very high speeds. While DDR3 is still very new, Kingston offers a kit that runs at a scathing PC3-14400 which is 1800MHz DDR. The KHX14400D3K2 is on the bench for review.
Packaging:
Kingston's packaging is distinct in that it uses retail packaging for shipping products and then places it in another shipping box. Kingston's RAM can be seen in this packaging anywhere that it is sold.
The modules are not wrapped in ESD plastic since the plastic retail case does the job. The modules themselves are firmly held in place and won't jumble around in shipping.
Modules:
Kingston's HyperX modules have always been blue. It is the color of Kingston and the silver accents of the modules give it a very distinct look. The actual HyperX heatspreader has changed a bit since I've last seen it in the DDR2 days. It now looks more refined and less blocky. I guess a streamlined look goes farther in the market. Also note that these are evaluation units. I'm sure everyone reading this will assume that these modules have been cherry picked for reviewers, while that may be the case, I doubt that. Kingston is a reputable company. You'll see in the testing how these perform as well.
The model name and the voltage are printed on the module label as well as other part information that I don't know what means. The actual product packaging contains the CAS latency of the modules. It reads CL8 which actually is 8-8-8-24. This RAM is rated for use at 1.9V running at 1800MHz with timings of 8-8-8-24. That is really fast RAM but since it is DDR3, latency suffers a bit. In time, this latency issue will decrease for the better.
The heatspreaders are clipped onto the modules, but I wouldn't bother with removing them. You could damage the product in the process. The bond is nice and tight to the modules themselves.
Kingston does not offer XMP with these modules, but I have seen modules on the market that are similar speeds with XMP. You really only need XMP if you are a lazy overclocker, but I don't find that fun at all. Part of overclocking is the enjoyment of tweaking your system to the best speed possible. Kingston also uses the normal green PCB with the modules, but it is covered mostly with the heatspreaders. These modules contain SPD data at a much slower speed than what it is rated for. It had data for DDR-1066. RAM manufactures finally do this in their modules so that motherboards are able to boot to set the correct paramaters. Nothing annoys me more than having RAM set at tight timings in the SPD and the motherboard refusing to boot due to low RAM voltage.
Even though my previous reviews on Kingston Technology products were about their flash division, Kingston still is very much an enthusiast RAM company. Their HyperX series now comes in DDR3 at very high speeds. While DDR3 is still very new, Kingston offers a kit that runs at a scathing PC3-14400 which is 1800MHz DDR. The KHX14400D3K2 is on the bench for review.
Packaging:
Kingston's packaging is distinct in that it uses retail packaging for shipping products and then places it in another shipping box. Kingston's RAM can be seen in this packaging anywhere that it is sold.
The modules are not wrapped in ESD plastic since the plastic retail case does the job. The modules themselves are firmly held in place and won't jumble around in shipping.
Modules:
Kingston's HyperX modules have always been blue. It is the color of Kingston and the silver accents of the modules give it a very distinct look. The actual HyperX heatspreader has changed a bit since I've last seen it in the DDR2 days. It now looks more refined and less blocky. I guess a streamlined look goes farther in the market. Also note that these are evaluation units. I'm sure everyone reading this will assume that these modules have been cherry picked for reviewers, while that may be the case, I doubt that. Kingston is a reputable company. You'll see in the testing how these perform as well.
The model name and the voltage are printed on the module label as well as other part information that I don't know what means. The actual product packaging contains the CAS latency of the modules. It reads CL8 which actually is 8-8-8-24. This RAM is rated for use at 1.9V running at 1800MHz with timings of 8-8-8-24. That is really fast RAM but since it is DDR3, latency suffers a bit. In time, this latency issue will decrease for the better.
The heatspreaders are clipped onto the modules, but I wouldn't bother with removing them. You could damage the product in the process. The bond is nice and tight to the modules themselves.
Kingston does not offer XMP with these modules, but I have seen modules on the market that are similar speeds with XMP. You really only need XMP if you are a lazy overclocker, but I don't find that fun at all. Part of overclocking is the enjoyment of tweaking your system to the best speed possible. Kingston also uses the normal green PCB with the modules, but it is covered mostly with the heatspreaders. These modules contain SPD data at a much slower speed than what it is rated for. It had data for DDR-1066. RAM manufactures finally do this in their modules so that motherboards are able to boot to set the correct paramaters. Nothing annoys me more than having RAM set at tight timings in the SPD and the motherboard refusing to boot due to low RAM voltage.