Introduction:

Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600 MHz 2GB Dual Channel Memory

The long awaited drop in DDR3 memory pricing has been a pretty casual process. If you've been waiting over the last year, then you've noticed a dramatic and welcomed decline. Such is the process anytime a new computer component makes its debut whether PC memory, motherboards with new chipsets, and graphics cards.

As far as DDR3 memory goes, you can find 2GB PC3-8500 for as little as $80 up to $249 depending on the heat spreader style and memory timings. PC3-1333 can also be found ranging from $80 up to $249 as well. This is a pretty strange pricing coincidence. Normal users won't be bothered by CAS Latency 8 or 9 memory kits which are the cheapest. Avid users who want the best performance will want something more aggressive like CAS 7 and pay the higher price.

So, which memory kit should you choose? If you play games and/or like to overclock your system at least half the time you're using it, then you're an avid user, maybe even extreme user and can utilize the aggressive memory fully. If you need your system for something more work related, then you don't need the fastest memory with the most aggressive timings.

Ideally, avid and regular users should consider matching memory frequencies with their processor's Front Side Bus for maximum possible stock performance. For example, 1333 MHz DDR3 memory is the sweet spot for people with the newer Intel 1333 MHz Front Side Bus processors, like those based on the Penryn 45nm die.

The only exception to any of this are the power users striving for the most extreme system performance who commonly overclock something within their system. These folks are looking for something far more aggressive and more capable than 1066 or 1333 MHz DDR3 memory. This is where 1600MHz memory can be the perfect medium for avid users making the jump to light speed for the first time and users looking for the best bang for buck.

Kingston HyperX KHX12800D3K2/2G

Here we have the Kingston DDR3-1600MHz 2GB HyperX Memory Kit (KHX12800D3K2) on hand just for the occasion. What's it going to take to tap in to this memory's potential? You'll definitely need a DDR3 motherboard that has a strong P35 or newer chipset. If your board supports a 1600 MHz Front Side Bus, then it should easily work with this kit.

New Website Theme

If you want something not quite this fast, check out Kingston's nicely configured web page. The HyperX look has carried over to pretty much every memory line. Even their ECC, Fully Buffered ECC modules have the excellent new HyperX look with the spreaders. These would look awesome on our Skull Trail.

Specifications:

If you've wondered the explanations for memory timings, Kingston has a perfect reference description below each memory section. It breaks down the memory kit timings, abbreviations, and even a definition or two. Just remember that the lower the CAS (CAS Latency) number on the memory kit, the better the performance.

Memory Timing Information

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