Right now, RAM prices are ridiculously low that even the tightwad that I am, I am seriously considering upgrading my RAM. Currently have OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C7 1333MHz, planning to upgrade to an 8GB (2x4GB) kit, maybe along the 1600MHz line.

Now I know I should get brand-named RAM (Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, etc), but what else? Most if not all kits at that configuration (8GB, 1600MHz) come in 9-9-9 timings and 1.5-1.65V... the only difference I see is design of heat sinks. Do I even need fancy-schmancy heat sinks? Or should I go for the low-profile ones? I know that there should be consideration regarding RAM heat sinks and CPU cooler (I'm planning to upgrade my stock cooler too).

So, should I just find the form I want from a reputable brand at the lowest price?

If you have clearance between where the RAM heatsinks would be and the CPU cooler, then get the ones with the heatsinks. Also faster memory generally costs more. But if you do get the faster memory, it will give you more leeway when OC since really fast memory can be down-clocked if need be for the memory divider to work right. Like my memory now is not quite running at full speed. It should be running at 667MHz but it's running at 625 because of my OC CPU and the memory divider.

If running newer (as in Sandy Bridge) systems then you will want to keep it below 1.65V, preferably no more than 1.5V. For this reason there are newer kits out there with crazy low voltages. Even 1.65V kit will do fine with SB, only you will have no head room for OC-ing your RAM.

Heat sinks or not? Definitely not needed. Nowadays RAM doesn't need cooling no matter how far you push it and large (tall) heat sinks will only limit your CPU cooler options. Get the lowest one you can.

How much MHz? 1600 MHz is more than enough. And even if you can use 1800+ kits on your rig, cost vs. performance simply isn't worth the OC or your money.

In short: get a 2x4GB kit with lowest heat spreaders you can find and tightest latencies.


I have gone with Kingston HyperX Genesis 2x4GB modules, and have nothing but good words about them. The latencies could be tighter, but the bandwidth in combination with SB chipset is something else. And they fit under NH-D14.

No doubt that memory is cheap now. I think I paid about 69 bucks last year for this kit and I got an email from the egg the other day with the same memory on special sale for 29 bucks. Wow.

Thanks for the words guys. I was really eyeing that Kingston RAM, but it's "not fancy" appearance made me doubt it compared to the other "flashy" offerings. I should know better now.

Going one speed higher is a good choice.

CL7 sticks can be found under Mushkin's Redline series, G.Skill Ripjaws X (F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH) or Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C7R, but they are twice the price of CL9. I think there was a review of the effect of CAS latency on performance, maybe @ XBitlabs site? IIRC it had very little effect.

Can't comment on the heatsink effect, but most come standard with them. Maybe a few like Geil, Crucial and some few others occasionally don't have heatsinks. The answer to your last question could be yes... and you'd still end up with a heatsink.

I'm going for this RAM, Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey... then I found this one, a Kingston HyperX. I cannot find the difference between them (CAS 9-9-9 27 vs CL9, they're the same thing, aren't they??) except for a couple of ££££ price difference.

JAMF, of the online retailers I'm looking at (Scan, Overclockers, etc.), all I'm finding is 9-9-9s for the 8GB line. 7-7-7s are available in 4GB configuration, but I think the general consensus on RAM is higher timings/CAS/latency = minimal performance gain even to the point that it doesn't justify the extra cost.

Yeah, no visible difference. One might need to dive into the datasheets, to sift out the difference.

For those that feel lille it:
http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1600C9D3X2K2_8GX.pdf
http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1600C9D3K2_8G.pdf

I couldn't find any difference at all.

I have the blue version, or so called Genesis. And IIRC it has been tailored to work with Sandy Bridge systems.

You won't miss with either kit. Kingston makes great RAM.