eva2000

While compiling my DDR3 Triple Channel Kit list, I've compiled a short list of DDR3 kits which I feel would be nice to test out (read wish i had the money to buy ). Since, I've been asked on a many occasions what kit would be best, I thought I'll start a thread with a short list of what I'd recommend

I'll break the list down by speed ratings

*** DDR3-1333 ***

• Kingston ValueRAM KVR1333D3N9K3/6G - 6GB (3×2GB) 1333MHz CL9-9-9 @ 1.5V (look for Elpida based ones)
• Kingston ValueRAM KVR1333D3N9K3/3G - 3GB (3×1GB) 1333MHz CL9-9-9 @ 1.5V (look for Elpida based ones)
• OCZ PC3-10666 Platinum 3GB / 6GB CL7-7-7-20 1.65V
• Transcend JetRAM / Value Ram DDR3-1333 (Jet Ram could be Micron D9JNM or Samsung HCF8/9 based)
• OCZ Platinum DDR3-1333Mhz 7-7-7-24 (OCZ3P1333LVA6GK 'Animal Series') [review results]

*** DDR3-1600 ***

• Corsair CMG6GX3M3A1600C7 6GB Kit Dominator GT 7-7-7-20
• Corsair TR3X6G1600C7 6GB 7-7-7-20 1.65v
• Corsair TR3X6G1600C8 6GB 8-8-8-24 1.65v
• Corsair TR3X6G1600C7D 6GB DDR3-1600Mhz DOMINATOR 7-7-7-20 1.65v
• Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D 6GB DDR3-1600MHz DOMINATOR 8-8-8-24 1.65v (newegg.com)
• Corsair TR3X3G1600C8D 3GB DDR3-1600MHz DOMINATOR 8-8-8-24 1.65v
• OCZ PC3-12800 Platinum 3GB / 6GB CL7-7-7-24 1.65V (newegg.com)
• OCZ Flex EX Series 6GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) OCZ3FXE1600C7LV6GK
• G.SKILL PI Black 6GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI-B

*** DDR3-1800 ***

• Kingston HyperX KHX14400D3K3/3GX - 3GB (3×1GB) 1800MHz CL9-9-9-27 @ 1.65V
• OCZ Reaper HPC 6GB DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400) OCZ3RPR1800LV6GK

*** DDR3-1866 ***

• Corsair TR3X6G1866C7GTF DOMINATOR GT - 6GB (3x2GB), 1866MHz, 7-8-7-20 1.65v [replaced by new model CMG6GX3M3A1866C7]
• Corsair TR3X6G1866C9DF 6GB DDR3-1866MHz DOMINATOR with Airflow fan 9-9-9-24 1.65v (newegg.com)
• Corsair TR3X3G1866C9DF 3GB DDR3-1866MHz DOMINATOR with Airflow fan 9-9-9-24 1.65v
• OCZ PC3-15000 Platinum 3GB / 6GB CL9-9-9-28 1.65V (newegg.com)
• OCZ PC3-15000 Reaper 3GB / 6GB CL9-9-9-28 1.65V
• OCZ Flex EX 6GB PC3 15000 7-7-7-28 OCZ3FXE1866LV6GK

*** DDR3-2000 ***

• A-DATA XPG X Series ver 2.0 DDR3-2000X (1GBx3) CL9-9-9-24 2.05v-2.15v
• A-DATA XPG X Series ver 2.0 DDR3-2000X (2GBx3) CL9-9-9-24 2.05v-2.15v
• Corsair TR3X6G2000C7GTF 6GB DDR3-2000Mhz DOMINATOR GT 7-8-7-20 1.65v (Corsair store) [replaced by new model CMG6GX3M3A2000C7]
• Corsair TR3X6G2000C8GTF 6GB DDR3-2000Mhz DOMINATOR GT 8-8-8-24 1.65v (Corsair store) [replaced by new model CMG6GX3M3A2000C8] (newegg.com)
• G.SKILL Trident 6GB DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) F3-16000CL9T-6GBTD
• G.SKILL Perfect Storm 6GB DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) F3-16000CL9T-6GBPS
• G.SKILL Perfect Storm 6GB DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) F3-16000CL7T-6GBPS
• OCZ PC3-16000 Blade 6GB 2000Mhz CL 7-8-7-20 1.65v
• OCZ PC3-16000 Blade 6GB 2000Mhz CL 9-9-9-30 1.65v newegg.com
• OCZ PC3-16000 Reaper HPC 6GB 2000Mhz CL 9-9-9-30 1.65v OCZ3B2000C9LV6GK (newegg.com)

*** DDR3-2133 ***

• A-DATA XPG X Series ver 2.0 DDR3-2133X (1GBx3) CL9-9-9-27 2.05v-2.15v
• A-DATA XPG X Series ver 2.0 DDR3-2133X (2GBx3) CL10-10-10-30 2.05v-2.15v

If you have used any memory kit listed above, feel free to share your experiences in this thread and results in DDR3 forums
.

pcuser

Nice tips eva, thanks for that!
I will be in hunt for one of these very soon.

psyxeon

I have a hard time choosing a kit
OCZ PC3-12800 Platinum 3GB or OCZ PC3-15000 Platinum

Are dominators better overclokers?

eva2000

Glad you like guys. It's hard to say which are better clockers without any first hand experience and lack of more indepth reviews online.

As I said in another thread, key to separating memory modules performance in terms of overclockability, is how much CPU VTT is used for their validation at those rated speeds. How much CPU VTT is needed now on i7 cpus is also dependent on quality of core i7's integrated memory controller which according to Anandtech.com's latest review can vary so greatly between each cpu.

CPU VTT being uncore voltage (Asus terms it QPI/DRAM volts). High CPU VTT allows both higher max bclk and max memory clocks.

Intel spec'd CPU VTT max is 1.35v. I know OCZ and Corsair listed above, the DDR3-1600 and lower rated modules are validated on platforms with <=1.35v but Corsair DDR3-1866 is validated at CPU VTT of 1.5-1.55v IIRC which is also dependent on the quality of memory controller on core i7 cpu used.

For most DDR3-2000+ clocked speeds you're looking at CPU VTT usage needed in region of 1.5-1.6v. DFI UT X58-T3EH8 with my i7 920 3836A756 can pull that off with less CPU VTT around 1.31-1.48v probably due to combination of better mem controller on my i7 920 along with DFI's CPU VTT design which according to Raja from Anandtech.com is top notch!

psyxeon

Great and complex answer. With the i7 timings are more important than frequency.

I belive 3x1gb are easier to overclok than the 3x2gb kit.

The domintors 3 x1gb should overclok better than the OCZ 3 x1gb because they have better chips right?

Sorry spelling > spanglish

eva2000

Actually frequency at decent timings might win out against lower frequency tight timings but depends on the bclk + mem combination i think.

Depending on modules, 3x2GB kit is pretty similar to 3x1GB in terms of oc'ing head room according to folks who have tried on X58/i7 platform. I don't have any 3x2GB so can't personally confirm this yet.

Corsair and OCZ has same chips for now most high frequency triple channel kits are Samsung HCF0 based and depending on how they're binned and rated, they could be similar or differ in overclocks. All just theory from me hehe

firerx

I ordered the OCZ3B2000LV6GK [ Blades] 3 weeks ago. I can't wait til I get them. my build parts are collecting dust.

eva2000

Nice, update us when you get them and feel free to share your results in a new thread in DDR3 forum when you have the chance

This kit arrived today for me









Well be testing the Corsair Dominator GTs with i7 920 and my rock solid DFI UT X58-T3EH8 motherboard so keep an eye out for the results