Armed with four 2GB kits of DDR3 memory running at 1800MHz we set off to do our second DDR3 roundup to show those that are building a DDR3 powered enthusiast systems which modules stand out from the crowd. Corsair Memory, Kingston Technology, OCZ Technology and Super Talent all sent out 2GB kits for us to try out and that is exactly what we did using the latest Intel QX9770 processor on the Intel X38 Express powered ASUS P5E3 Deluxe Motherboard!
When it comes to DDR3 a 2GB kit will set you back anywhere from $199 for a 1333MHz kit to over $500 for an 1800MHz kit. Obviously, DDR3 memory is still for early adapters and enthusiasts, but prices are expected to drop significantly as the year goes on. Intel is getting ready to release more chipsets that support DDR3 memory with the Intel X48 Express chipset and NVIDIA is rumored to support DDR3 for the first time with their nForce 790i SLI chipsets. With both of these chipsets soon becoming the main component of their flagship performance platforms, it will lead to improved DDR3 memory sales. So, before those chipsets come out Legit Reviews gathered together four 1800MHz DDR3 memory kits from the leading memory companies here in North America. Corsair, Kingston, OCZ and Super Talent are familiar names here on Legit Reviews for good reason - they all make great enthusiast memory.
Article Title: Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Super Talent DDR3 1800MHz Memory Kit
Article URL: http://legitreviews.com/article/625/1/
Here are a couple naked shots of the Kingston kit that I didn't include in the article, but edited in Photoshop... Why not post them! And lastly, in case you are wondering about why the modules were not overclocked. The Intel QX9770 processor was able to get up to 470MHz FSB, but over that it became unstable. The reason Corsair and other companies have not released 2GHz and beyond kits is because not enough quad-cores can hit 500MHz out of the box for them to produce a kit in volume. DDR3 sales are already small, so it wouldn't make sense to make a part that so few can reach. All of the kits were able to do 1900MHz at their suggested timings and then the CPU crapped out. Maybe in the future I can revisit all these modules on a dual core CPU like my E6750 that can reach 510MHz+ with ease on the ASUS P5E3.