Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K6/12GX

Kingston offers a variety of memory solutions for Intel's Core i7 platform and the KHX1600C9D3K6/12GX kit stands as one of the largest.

The kit consists of six 2GB modules, which offer a total of 12GB of RAM. These sticks are capable of running at 1600MHz with memory timings of 9-9-9-27 and at a voltage of 1.65-volts. To check that the modules run as advertised, we installed them in a number of different Intel X58-based motherboards.

We’re happy to report that after trying no less than seven boards the HyperX kit never skipped a beat; each motherboard registered the total 12GB capacity and the modules ran with full stability at their specified settings. (We recommend checking Kingston’s website and your motherboard manufacturer’s website for memory compatibility before you buy.)

As these modules belong to the HyperX line they feature Intel XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) and are equipped with heatspreaders. The latter ran only slightly warm under normal operating speeds. In terms of overclocking, we were only able to push the modules slightly above their specifications with relatively small gains in performance. As a result if you’re looking for high frequencies rather than high memory capacities, you’re better off with one of Kingston’s other higher frequency HyperX kits.