Reviews - Kingston 4GB DDR3-1,600 LoVo 1.35V memory review

[HEXUS]

Putting forth green credentials by reducing the operating voltage, we examine whether Kingston's LoVo modules are more marketing-speak or pragmatic performers.

Read more.

[Terbinator]

Idle power-draw is remarkably similar to Intel's, mainly because the Core i5 661's power-saving technology is sacrificed when adjusting the BCLK.

Could you test with something that has an extra RAM multiplier then, assuming this is the reason why you had to up BCLK ?

[borandi]

The kit ships with a recommended US etail price of $158, but is available from Newegg for $136, and its etail listing is on a par with regular modules (1.65V) with the same speed and latency characteristics. UK customers, often at the wrong end of a bargain, will pay around £125 for the same set.

$158 = £102.70
+ 17.5% VAT = £120.67

$136 = £88.40 @ $1:£0.65
+ 17.5% VAT = £103.87

Retailers here won't offer the same deals.

[this_is_gav]

So basically what Hexus is saying is that, according to the results, Kingston used up more resources in marketing and design than will be saved through green-concious users buying these over standard modules.

Good work Kingston.

[Tarinder]

Could you test with something that has an extra RAM multiplier then, assuming this is the reason why you had to up BCLK ?

We wanted to take a look at the memory with an Intel chip that will ship with a number of mid-range systems.

An Extreme Edition chip will allow DDR3-1,600 memory at the default BCLK, and we'll add those results in shortly, seeing as you have requested them.

[kalniel]

So basically what Hexus is saying is that, according to the results, Kingston used up more resources in marketing and design than will be saved through green-concious users buying these over standard modules.

Marketing.. money well spent if they get higher sales. Design.. doubt it - they will have just binned existing chips.

[kingpotnoodle]

So basically what Hexus is saying is that, according to the results, Kingston used up more resources in marketing and design than will be saved through green-concious users buying these over standard modules.

Good work Kingston.

Meh, "Green" products don't scream to me about saving the environment, but they do get a look on some of my buying decisions about small form factor PCs, where shaving a few watts can help keep something cool and require less fan speed - for example a regular 3.5" drive is on the boundary of needing actual airflow over it, whereas a "Green" drive definitely doesn't (I have several WD GP drives with no airflow over them sticking at good temps).

I'd use this kind of RAM in my home server or media PC so I could be more confident they were running cool despite minimal ventilation... so long as the price premium was < ~5%.

[shaffaaf27]

but RAM perforamnce hardly matter for everyday stuff and gaming nowadays. once might aswell get the 1333MHz versions of these, or 1600MHz for overclocking. why people buy 1800MHz+ ram i have no idea. not likes it adds much if any perfomance, esp for the price.

[this_is_gav]

I'm not even sure why people buy 1600MHz to be honest. It seems to make zero difference, unless your hobby happens to be benchmarking and you're looking for that extra 0.1%.

I was quite happy buying 1333MHz to be honest, though not quite as happy right now as I'm currently testing another set of Corsair 1333MHz RAM after a BSOD due to "memory_management" (so presumably more faulty RAM)... this will be my 3rd return of this in the 16 months of owning it. I wish Scan sold another decent brand (OCZ, Geil, G.Skill, anything!), as I'd bite their hand off right now.

[shaffaaf27]

choose the differnt retailor? why stick with just one?

[this_is_gav]

If I return the RAM I don't think they're obliged to offer a refund?

I've often shopped elsewhere purely due to Scan's limited RAM selection, but they're one of the few decent hardware etailers we can order from at work. Actually now that I think of it, they're the only one I know of. OcUK bent their rules once to allow us to order, but that was for a one off. Misco and Dabs are the only other ones that I can think of, but they're often lagging behind Scan in terms of price and selection - Misco especially.

[shaffaaf27]

where do you work? how about novatech or ebuyer?

if it fails 3 times i think you can choose a different modle from scan. return for money i doubt

[this_is_gav]

A school. We've tried Ebuyer and they don't do purchase orders. Novatech I've no idea.

Corsair clearly knew they had problems with those modules as they've changed them since half a year back - same specs, but different modules.

[Georgy291]

i LOL'ed alot, so whats the point of them? they are £40 more expensive than a normal set but offer no gains

[Terbinator]

Provided they go for the same price as the G.Skills there not that much more of a premium if any.