System Benchmark Tests

In this section, each memory kit is tested for system performance using several different benchmark tools. The objective of these tests is to show both theoretical and realistic performance differences between DDR3 memory kits, using the manufacturer specified speed and timing. In each test, ask yourself if high speed or low latency prevailed, and if there was a difference between 6GB and 12GB kits.

Using the Cache and Memory Benchmark tool within Lavalys EVEREST, we tested memory Read, Write, and Copy performance. In terms of read performance, Everest rates the Corsair Dominator-GT (2000MHz CL7) and Kingston HyperX (2000MHz CL8) kits high, while the OCZ Gold (1333MHz CL7) and 12GB Crucial (1333MHz CL9) kit lowest. Write performance favors the 12GB Corsair Dominator 1600MHz CL8 kit as the best memory for write performance, followed by the Kingston HyperX and Corsair Dominator-GT kits, which demonstrate that higher speeds and density prevail. In the memory copy test, the Kingston HyperX 2000MHz kit shined brightest with a clear lead over the others.

Using the Memories test suite in PCMark Vantage, each triple-channel kit was benchmarked using several different scenarios. CPU Image manipulation favored both the low latency 6GB OCZ Gold 1333MHz CL7 kit as well as the 12GB Corsair Dominator (1600MHz CL8) kit, followed closely by the 6GB Corsair Dominator-GT and Kingston HyperX 2000MHz kits. Using the 1867MHz XMP setting for the Kingston HyperX DDR3 kit, CPU Image manipulation performance was only slightly the same kit with higher speeds. The same overall performance trends held true for the DV-WMV9 video transcoding test, and also the VC-1 to WMV9 transcoding test; which both held the 12GB Corsair Dominator kit in high esteem.

GPU Image manipulation is primarily a graphics processor-dependant test, but it's still relative to game performance (if system memory could impact this task). The higher-speed memory kits offer better performance in this benchmark, but all four kits performed nearly identical. The final chart shows the overall PCMark Vantage memory score, giving favor towards high speeds and low latency.

Test Summary

Here's what these benchmark tests have indicated so far:

• Lowest-latency triple-channel memory kits are best for multimedia encoding, where speed has little impact. They also improve CPU-dependant tasks, such as image manipulation.
• Highest-speed triple-channel memory kits are best suited for memory-specific applications, which include large file/application fetches. Some video games may also see miniscule improvements.
• 6GB Memory kits offer enough RAM for most PC tasks, but high-density 12GB system memory kits further extend multimedia encoding performance to higher levels than the high-speed kits.

Memory Tested

• OCZ Platinum 1333MHz CL7-7-7-20-1 DDR3 OCZ3P1333LV6GK (6GB Memory Kit 3x2GB)
• Kingston HyperX 2000MHz CL8-8-8-24-1 DDR3 KHX2000C8D3T1K3 (6GB Memory Kit 3x2GB)
• Corsair Dominator-GT 2000MHz CL7-8-7-20-2 DDR3 CMG6GX3M3A2000C7 (6GB Memory Kit 3x2GB)
• Corsair Dominator 1600MHz CL8-8-8-24-1 DDR3 CMD12GX3M6A1600C8 (12GB Memory Kit 6x2GB)
• Crucial 1333MHz CL9-9-9-25-1 DDR3 CT3KIT51264BA1339 (12GB Memory Kit 3x4GB)

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