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HWM+HardwareZone.com Editor's Choice Tech Awards - Part 1

By Team HardwareZone - 10 Feb 2010

Best DDR3-1600 Memory Triple Channel Kit

Best DDR3-1600 Memory Triple Channel Kit

DDR3 memory finally found widespread adoption in 2009 and with Intel using a triple-channel architecture in its Nehalem Core i7 processors, we decided that for our sole memory category, we should go with a triple-channel kit. We also chose the DDR3-1600 speed as we felt that it is the middle-ground between enthusiasts looking for overclocking potential and more casual users who just want a decently high speed memory.

Nominees

  • Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz Low Latency XMP Ready 3GB Kit
  • G.SKILL PI DDR3 PC3-12800 CL8 3GB Kit
  • OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Intel i7 Triple Channel Kit
  • Patriot Extreme Performance Viper Series DDR3 3GB PC3-12800 Low Latency DIMM Kit
  • Team Group Xtreem Dark DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz CL8 Kit


And the Winner is

Kingston's HyperX DDR3 1600MHz Low Latency XMP Ready 3GB Kit is our best DDR3-1600 triple-channel memory kit.

When it came to assessing these memory kits, we took note of their performance in benchmarks, which were generally similar, as they all had almost identical memory timings. Voltages too were similar, which meant that overclocking, temperature and prices were our main determinants of who to award our best memory kit accolade to.

It was a tight choice between three very good contenders from Kingston, OCZ and Patriot and you can choose any of them and be assured of their quality. In the end however, the Kingston HyperX DDR3-1600 kit managed to convince us with its excellent temperature readings that were a notch better than the competition. The price was also fair and competitive enough while worldwide availability, warranty and support are one of the best. It may not be the overclocker's choice of memory, but for the more casual or budget conscious user, it's a great choice.

Criteria/Model G.SKILL PI DDR3 PC3-12800 CL8 3GB Kit Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz Low Latency XMP Ready 3GB Kit OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Intel i7 Triple Channel Kit Patriot Extreme Performance Viper Series DDR3 3GB PC3-12800 Low Latency DIMM Kit Team Group Xtreem Dark DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz CL8 Kit
Performance 7.5 8.0 8.0 8.5 7.5
Features 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0
Value 7.0 8.5 8.5 8.0 7.5
Overall 7.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.0
Price US$130 US$83 US$70 US$81 US$108

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

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