Top 15 memory modules

The HyperX Fury line is positioned by Kingston as an inexpensive proposal for non-professional overclocking. The memory modules from this series do not have XMP profiles, but they support Plug and Play technology, thanks to which optimal settings are activated automatically if this option is set in the motherboard BIOS. The Kingston HX313C9F * K2 / 16 kit set consists of two 8 GB slats, capable of operating normally at 1333, 1600 and 1866 MHz, and also can be accelerated to 2200 MHz when the supply voltage is raised to 1.65 V. The modules are equipped with aluminum radiators , painted in one of four possible colors: black, white, red and blue. This range allows modding lovers to choose the memory in harmony with other components of the system. The color of the radiator is reflected in the first letter of its English designation in the model name instead of an asterisk (except blue). The height of the module is a little more than the standard value and does not interfere with the installation of coolers with 140-mm fans.

This RAM is a good choice if the task is to partially upgrade an outdated system without switching to a new platform, or it just took to increase the amount of RAM in it. We remind you that the HyperX Fury line does not have XMP profiles, and all the regular timing combinations are registered in the SPD chip. Manual overclocking is possible up to the frequency of 2133 MHz, at least. Please note that many owners of whale kits HX316C10F * K2 / 16 note that they were unable to stabilize the system with a Command Rate equal to one clock cycle. But with a delay of 2T and raising the voltage to about 1.6V, the memory is chasing normally. Four variants of colors, moderate height of radiators, decent potential, the price tags would be even more modest.

DDR3 standard memory set a kind of record of longevity in the market of computer components, but its time still comes to an inevitable end. At the time of writing, a justified version of upgrading a slightly outdated system can be considered replacing a classic hard drive with an SSD and increasing the amount of RAM. And for the latter, it is advisable to use modules with a maximum operating frequency of 1866 MHz, so the cost of higher speed strips will be comparable to the cost of switching to a new platform. As in the previous cases, we recommend paying attention to the offer from Kingston. Moreover, in the corresponding line there are both 16 and 8-gigabyte whale kits, and a choice of four possible colors will also please fans of modding.

There are no special differences in the price of DDR3 memory with different operating frequencies - so why not allow yourself, suddenly arise such a need, the acquisition of modules of moderately high class? This is exactly the whale set HX321C11SRK2 / 16 from the Savage overclocking line, which we recommend to you. The memory is assembled from an array of DDR3L chips, i.e. designed for a rated voltage of 1.35V. Its increase to values ​​of 1.5 or 1.6 volts and allows you to work at an effective frequency of 1600 MHz with extremely aggressive timings (CL9-9-9-27), as well as to accelerate up to 2133 MHz (CL11-12-12-30). In total, there are eight supported profiles, including a pair of XMP, whose speed formulas are given above. It is clear that the overclocking potential of the HX321C11SRK2 / 16 is almost exhausted by the manufacturer, so you should not expect any outstanding performance indicators from this set - the “ceiling” is approximately at the level of 2400 MHz.

This set of memory modules is designed for enthusiasts who want to squeeze the maximum performance out of an aging home system, but without much effort and at any cost. The memory has two XMP profiles with clock frequencies of 2133 and 2400 MHz.And according to the owners, even overclocking to 2,600 MHz is possible, although the timings set while doing so almost “eat up” all the potential performance gains. However, if the customer is lucky, he will receive a product with fairly well-known (at one time) Hynix BFR chips with excellent characteristics. By the way, in the SPD microcircuit the corresponding fields are simply not filled in, so it is impossible to specify the manufacturer in this way. The heat removal from the chips is provided by aluminum radiators of a very aggressive look, but what is nice is that their height allows the modules to be used in conjunction with most popular cooling systems.

Budget - not always means "bad." And considering Samsung’s technological leadership in chip production, the seemingly unassuming OEM memory of this brand deserves the closest attention. And, what is especially interesting, decent results demonstrate both two-channel modules M378A1K43BB2-CRC (dialed from B-Die chips) and single-channel M378A1K43CB2-CRC (C-Die). Even the slightly outdated M378A1G43EB1-CPB (E-Die) memory, made according to more crude standards and nominally designed to operate at a frequency of 2133 MHz, is chasing well. For example, we reliably know about taking the “boundary” at 3,600 MHz. Another question is whether it makes sense to accelerate to such frequencies if it is achieved due to a significant increase in delays.

The Vengeance LPX memory modules are positioned on the official website as a special series for overclocking fans. It is pleasant that the real situation with the overclocking of the corresponding systems fully confirms the suitability of the recommended set to work at higher frequencies. Moreover, numerous reviews of its owners indicate sufficient versatility CMK16GX4M2A2666C16. This memory was able to “wind up” at 3066, 3200 and even at 3333 MHz. True, in the latter case, with raising the voltage to an already dangerous value. Another thing is that the Corsair company can use chips of the most different manufacturers within the same model, therefore, the top level of each revision will be different. Modules are cooled with the help of low-profile radiators, so there should be no problems with installation in the extreme socket.

If you try to characterize this set as short as possible - the word “universal” is most appropriate. The memory of the Corsair CMK16GX4M2A2800C16 regularly operates at seven clock frequencies (the corresponding profiles are contained in the SPD chip) and is cooled by rather compact radiators. However, the latter feature is characteristic of the entire line of Vengeance LPX. But what is an individual “trick” of the recommended set is the presence of an extended XMP profile at 3000 MHz, i.e. above nominal. To the extent that this fact is not described on the company's website - it is possible that not all whales have such characteristics, but only a limited part of them. In this case, overclocking enthusiasts will have to make additional efforts - the good is that this allows the memory in question.

The HyperX Predator module line is designed for demanding users and consists exclusively of high-speed memory kits. In contrast to the “predators” of previous generations, the HX430C15PB3K2 / 16 strips do without problems with relatively compact radiators. Nevertheless, their height can still prevent installation under the overall cooling systems on some motherboards, be careful. The modules are regularly started at a frequency of 2400 MHz, and the choice of the desired speed mode (2666/3000) is performed using XMP profiles. Interestingly, the delay formulas in both cases are absolutely identical (15-17-17-36). Moreover, by simply changing the corresponding multiplier in the BIOS, the memory can be easily overclocked to 3200 MHz (with the same timings and supply voltage). And some overclocking lovers report on the ability of the HX430C15PB3K2 / 16 to work stably even at 3,400 MHz.

The solid set occupying in a rating of the best random access memory RAM.UserBenchmark an honorable third place. Belongs to the Vengeance LPX family, i.e. cooled by low-profile radiators and is aimed at supporters of careful acceleration. Mind-boggling records with the help of CMK16GX4M2B3200C16 is unlikely to be achieved, but there are reviews about the ability of the set to operate at 3,600 MHz. We remind you that this manufacturer puts the most different chips in the same modules, hence the differences in the achievements of the owners of the recommended memory. On the other hand, many vendors sin in the same way, but very few people label different parties. Corsair is a pleasant exception, and the most popular revisions of the CMK16GX4M2B3200C16 memory are v4.31 (Samsung B-Die chips) and v5.39 (Hynix MFR series).

Despite the fact that these modules are based on Samsung D-Die chips, the memory easily starts up at 3200 MHz with minimal time delays. In some cases, increasing the voltage up to 1.4 V helps to achieve the desired result. At the same time, Ryzen owners need to be as careful as possible - there are two versions of the PV416G320C6K available for sale: 4-gigabit (two-rank) and 8-gigabit (peer-to-peer). An interesting feature of the whale kit in question is the removable comb of the cooling radiator. The easy movement of the hand © module becomes 8 mm lower and begins to "be friends" with most of the overall coolers. The situation is worse with thickness and it will not always be possible to establish four bars in the neighborhood.

The DDR4 entry-level universal RAM from the Vengeance LPX family continues our rating. Accelerates well, but there is no particular point in reaching the highest possible frequencies (in this case). The fact is that the latter are stabilized only with very large timings (close to 19-19-19), and such delays already negate almost the entire profit from overclocking. From our point of view, the best reference when overclocking the Corsair CMK16GX4M2A2133C13 is the frequency of 2666 MHz. I am glad that the recommended memory modules cost quite compact radiators, and under high load their temperature does not even reach 45 ° C (in normal operation). Well, several options for coloring allows you to choose this component of the computer, without going beyond the general color concept.