Shootouts

The Great DDR3 1600MHz Memory Showdown

By Vincent Chang - 15 Jul 2009

Best of the Triple-Channel Kits

Best of the Triple-Channel Kits

When it comes to the triple-channel kits, it's probably accurate to say that there are no performance differences to speak off. They all have similar memory timings, with the same voltage rating and as our benchmarks have shown, the numbers are too close to call. In fact, one could even say that you can do almost as well with DDR3-1333 memory, because it's not going to matter too much to the typical user experience.

It is however when one attempts to overclock their systems that the greater allowance afforded by these higher frequency memory modules get their gloss, since it's quite unlikely that the typical DDR3-1333 memory can go up to 1800MHz as we managed with these DDR3-1600 memory. It was in overclocking that more well-known enthusiast brands like OCZ and Patriot showed their true colors.

Yet, it was a dark horse that emerged as our review progressed in the form of Kingston's HyperX memory kit. No doubt that its heat spreader appeared to be the classic and even boring design but it managed to hold its own in our temperature testing. Together with its very decent overclocking and overall performance, the Kingston HyperX memory kit quickly became a serious contender. Patriot's Viper series also did very well for these segments while others like OCZ faltered in the temperature stakes despite clocking the highest overclocking numbers.

And then it boiled down to the price. Kingston was the indisputable winner here, with its US$65 online listing easily beating the rest. Although Patriot was close too at US$81, it was not enough. Meanwhile the brands at nearly twice the price of Kingston were however not necessarily reflected in having the best overclocking score or the lowest temperatures, and thus put them out of the competition.

Scoring Breakdown (Triple-Channel)
  Performance Overclocking Temperature Testing Value Estimated Street Price (US$)
G.SKILL PI DDR3 PC3-12800 CL8 3GB Kit 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0 130
Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz Low Latency XMP Ready 3GB Kit 4.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 65
OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Intel i7 Triple Channel Kit 4.0 4.5 3.5 3.0 125
Patriot Extreme Performance Viper Series DDR3 3GB PC3-12800 Low Latency DIMM Kit 4.0 4.5 4.0 4.5 81
Team Group Xtreem Dark DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz CL8 Kit 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.5 108

Hence, our eventual surprise winner turned out to be the Kingston HyperX triple-channel memory kit which also bagged our Most Value for Money award, followed closely by the Patriot Viper series. Both provide extremely good value and in the case of the Patriot, very nice overclocking too. The other brands too have decent performance and in the case of OCZ, the best overclocking. But like the expensive G.SKILL, their perceived lack of value is why they don't shine.

Our Final Ratings (Triple-Channel)
Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz Triple-Channel Memory Kit - KHX12800D3LLK3/3GX.

Patriot Viper Series DDR3 1600MHz Triple-Channel Memory Kit - PVT33G1600LLK.
OCZ Intel i7 Edition DDR3 1600MHz Triple-Channel Memory Kit - OCZ3X1600LV3GK.
Team Xtreem Dark DDR3 1600MHz Triple-Channel Memory Kit - TXD31024M1600HC8-D.
G.SKILL PI DDR3 1600MHz Triple-Channel Memory Kit - F3-12800CL8T-3GBPI.

 

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