Kingston 4GB DDR3-1,600 CL8
First up is a 4GB kit from Kingston.
Imaginatively titled the KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX, it's part of the company's HyperX performance range.
As the name intimates, the kit consists of two 2,048MB modules (256M x 64-bit) that are rated to work at 1,600MHz with a CAS latency of 8.
Designed for the Lynnfield platform and imbued with XMP (eXtreme Memory Profiles) set to 1,600MHz with 8-8-8-24 timings and at 1.65V, the specification is pretty decent for middle-of-the-road RAM.
Should the board not provide XMP support, the modules are programmed with JEDEC speeds of 1,333MHz with 9-9-9 timings at 1.5V.However, in the interests of compatibility, there is no reason why you couldn't use them on an AMD-based machine that has support for DDR3 RAM.
The HyperX heatspreaders are the basic models found on Kingston's cheaper performance-oriented RAM. The aluminium 'spreaders are well-fastened on to the modules and overall build quality is good.
There are 16 (128Mx 8-bit) components per stick, arranged over both sides.
Should you need reminding, the 240-pin modules aren't compatible with motherboards using only DDR2 memory: the notch is in a different place.
Backed up by Kingston's lifetime warranty and currently etailing for around £90, the set is typical of current mid-to-high end modules.
