Kingston HyperX Beast 8GB DDR3-2400 CL11 kit – Hardware Review
For the very first time we get to review a RAM kit, thanks to Kingston who sent us 2 4GB HyperX Beast modules. This kit can be found in your local computer shop with model number KHX24C11T3K2/8X . Let’s take a look at what’s inside the box.
Specs:
- 2x 4GB modules
- 1.50V – 1.65V
- Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
- JEDEC: DDR3-1333 9-9-9 1.50V
- XMP Profile # 1: DDR3-2400 11-13-13 1.65V
- XMP Profile # 2: DDR3-2133 11-12-11 1.60V
- Chip: Hynix H5TQ2G83CFR PBC
Test system:
- Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V
- Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K, @ 4100 MHz (41 x 100)
- Cooled with CORSAIR H60 Hydro Series
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
- Power Supply: CORSAIR 650W Hx650 Professional
- HDD: Samsung SSD 840 Series
- Operating System: Windows 8 Professional 6.2.9200.16628
Special features
This kit includes a special heatspreader that claims to “maximize thermal dissipation and provide increased reliability”. Although the heatspreader is black, the underlying board is green. This can be a disappointment if you have a window in your case and your motherboard is in plain sight.
Another thing to point out is that heatspreader makes the module about 4 centimeters higher than a regular one, which can be a problem if you have a wide CPU cooler and the RAM bays on your board are directly adjacent to the CPU.
Furthermore, Kingston claims that “the HyperX Beast is compatible with third-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and the latest AMD performance and gaming processors. The memory is Intel XMP ready, giving you higher-performing frequencies, timings, and voltages in a few clicks.”
XMP
XMP or Extreme Memory Profile is a certification developed by Intel. It allows you to overclock compatible DDR3 memory to perform beyond standard specifications and increase performance whilst maintaining stability. The XMP profiles are stored on the RAM chips themselves and were tested by Kingston. If you have a compatible motherboard, you can select a performance level like so:
Performance at stock settings
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- CPU-Z Memory Tab
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- Aida64
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- MaxxMem²
Performance with XMP Profile 1 enabled and voltage set to 1.65V
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- CPU-Z after overclock
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- Aida64 after overclock
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- MaxMemm² – 30% performance boost!
Conclusion
As you can tell, enabling XMP produces a very noticeable (around 30%) performance increase. Stability with XMP enabled has been fine. I’ve been running the modules on profile #1 for a few days without a hitch.
As this is the first kit we were sent, we can’t make comparison a to different modules of the same price range ourselves. However, the performance these modules achieve is pretty impressive. If you’re in the market for DDR3 memory, this kit is a serious contender.
Whether or not you ought to pick these up depends entirely on the store you buy them from. They appear to be retailing in the range of €75-€100. If you can pick them up for €75 it’s a definite buy in my opinion, but for €100 there are betters kits on the market.
Be sure to check whether your CPU cooler does not get in the way of the headspreader though.
Kingston HyperX Beast 8GB DDR3-2400 CL11 kit - Hardware Review,
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