1. Features, package
Kingston has recently announced the HyperX Beast memory series, which features a new heat spreader designed to maximize thermal dissipation for increased reliability. The memory offers the largest capacities available today and speeds of up to 2400MHz. It is Intel XMP- ready (Extreme Memory Profiles) and designed to work with third-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and the latest AMD performance and gaming processors.
We have in our labs Kingston's KHX21C11T3K2/8X, a kit of two 512M x 64-bit
(4GB) DDR3-2133 CL11 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 2Rx8
memory modules, based on sixteen 256M x 8-bit DDR3 FBGA components per module. Total kit capacity is 8GB. Each
module kit has been tested to run at DDR3-2133 at a
latency timing of 11-12-11 at 1.6V. The SPDs are programmed
to JEDEC standard latency DDR3-1333 timing of 9-9-9 at 1.5V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers and requires
+1.5V.
XMP TIMING PARAMETERS
- JEDEC: DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9 @1.5V
- XMP Profile #1: D3-2133 CL11-12-11 @1.6V
- XMP Profile #2: D3-1600 CL9-9-9 @1.5V
- Main features
- Capacities 8GB–64GB (with 8GB, 16GB and 64GB kits)
- Speeds of up to 2400MHz
- 1.5V & 1.65 V operating voltages enable stable overclocking
- Compatible with Intel XMP auto-overclocking function
- Designed to work with P55, H67, P67, Z68, H61 (AG), X79 and Z77 Intel chipsets; as well as A75, A87, A88, A89, A78 and E35 (Fusion) AMD chipsets
- Carefully selected premium chips for maximum performance and overclockability
- Dynamic black design and sharp edge accents
- 100-percent factory tested
- All Kingston memory modules are backed by a lifetime warranty
- Package
The retail package for the Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/8X kit (4x2GB) can be purchased for about € 65-70 at the retail market, although you could find it for a little less in online stores.
Below you see the slim plastic package - typical for memory kits. It keeps the memory module secure while it is also easily recognizable with the large "HyperX" logo on the from side:
The HyperX Beast memory kit features a special heat spreader from Kingston that not only offers higher cooling efficiency but also adds a cool, and aggressive look. At the front side of each module there is a sticker with information and the memory's timing profiles:
The other side is all-black with the "HyperX Beast" logo and the company's brand name on the aluminum heat spreader.
Notice that the heat spreader is short at just 46.4mm in order to allow easier installation in systems with large aftermarket air coolers and water cooling loops.
2. Benchmarks
Below you see our test bed:
- CPU: Intel i5-2500K retail processor
- CPU Cooler: Intel Stock
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z77X-D3H with F16 bios
- PSU: OCZ GameXStream GXS600 SLI-Ready
- VGA: MSI 7600GT Silent (stock memory/core timings)
- HDD: WD 500GB 7200rpm SATA2
- OS: Windows 7 x64 SP1 with all the latest updates installed
With the new memory installed we powered on the system. Through Gigabyte's UEFI bios you can choose the ' Extreme Memory Profile1', which will set the memory's speed 2133MHz at CL11-12-11 @1.6V:
In the Windows environment we fire up the CPU-Z software. As you see below, there are two XMP profiles for the 1600MHz and 2133MHz speeds:
For our tests we used the popular Sisoft Sandra Benchmark Suite. You can click on each test below to see the memory performance index score we got for each speed:
Running Speed (MHz) |
Aggregate Memory Performance |
|
17.63MB/sec |
|
21.17MB/sec |
|
23.30MB/sec |
|
26.66MB/sec |
At 2133MHz speed you can expect to get around 27MB/sec.
The Aida64 Cache & Memory benchmarks returned similar numbers. Again the 2133MHz is recommended if your system supports it:
Running Speed (MHz) |
Reading Memory Performance |
Writing Memory Performance |
Latency |
|
16338 MB/sec |
18294 MB/sec |
53.6 |
|
18849 MB/sec |
18865 MB/sec |
47.0 |
|
20133 MB/sec |
19219 MB/sec |
45.0 |
|
21315 MB/sec |
19614 MB/sec |
43.3 |
3. Final words
The Kingston HyperX Beast Memory kit is rated at 2133MHz and is fully supported by the Gigabyte Z77X-D3H with the F16 bios we used in this test. Depending on your motherboard, this memory can run at up to 2400MHz, the highest speed you can get from today's memory kits.
If the appearance matters to you, the HyperX Beast features these uniquely-shaped black heat spreaders for a cool and aggressive look. Kingston claims that the memory runs cooler with those,and we have no reason not to believe them. With the embedded XMP profiles you will get the highest speeds either at 1600MHz or 2133MHz, so there is no hassle even if you are not familiar with memory settings. And as it applies with all Kingston memory products, this comes with a full-time warranty.
When it comes to performance the Kingston HyperX Beast 8GB 2133MHz memory kit didn't disappoint with ~27 GB/s of memory bandwidth available on the Intel Z77 platform we tested on. Don't forget that this performance will be significantly higher on other platforms such as the Intel X79. Just make sure to update your BIOS before installing one of these kits in order to avoid stability issues and ensure that the installation process goes as smoothly as possible.
The Kingston HyperX Beast memory is recommended for everyone including those seeking for performance and aggressive appearance for their systems, offering a great overall value.