Testing components
We have five dual-channel Dominator
Platinum kits for our tests. With the combined capacity of 8 and 16 GB, they
are optimized for LGA1155 platforms with Ivy Bridge CPU:
A
testing components table
The modules are shipped in the colorful
cardboard box shaped like an octagonal prism. Cutouts in the packaging allow
you to see the stickers with the product information and the upper part of the
heatsinks. The box itself also carries the stickers with information about the
memory modules that are included.
Memory
module
The modules are packaged
into single inflated wrappers, fixed in a thick foam rubber bar. There are no
included accessories with the modules.
Now let's have a closer look at each
product.
Corsair
Dominator Platinum PC3-12800 C9 2x4 GB (CMD8GX3M2A1600C9)
The base products in this review are not
really special. The clock speed of DDR3-1600 is often prescribed for the common
DDR3 modules. However, the CMD8GX3M2A1600C9 modules support all special
Dominator Platinum features, including the unique cooling system, standing out
and monitoring capabilities.
Corsair
Dominator Platinum PC3-12800 C9 2x4 GB (CMD8GX3M2A1600C9)
The manufacturers choose the best chips and
do not forget to test the modules before releasing their products. When it
mentions reliability and warranty, the DDR3-1600 modules from the Platinum
Dominator series are clearly superior to the products with lower series. In
terms of components, the CMD8GX3M2A1600C9 uses Elpida chips. You do not even
need to remove the heatsinks to know this. Unlike other manufacturers with
overclocker-friendly memory, Corsair does not keep the chips’ secret origin.
You can find out this information from the sticker, where the version number
shows the chip brand. The table below shows the correspondence between the
version number and chip manufacturers:
The
version number and manufacturers
Note that the labels on the Corsair memory
have a lot of information. Besides the part number, they show you the capacity
and number of memory modules in the kits, the timings, usable voltage and the
version number mentioned above.
Although the chips of the CMD8GX3M2A1600C9
modules do not have any secrets, Corsair has renamed them, but the first
letters "EL" at Elpida is unable to explain.
The XMP configuration supplies information
about the specifications and features of the CMD8GX3M2A1600C9 kit, like the
rest of the Dominator Platinum series products. Each feature supports the XMP
version 1.3.
XMP
configuration
The XMP configuration contains information
about the only specified mode: DDR3-1600 with timings of 9-9-9-24-2T. The
modules designed for the standard DDR3 voltage are 1.5 volts, which is not
surprising when considering the relatively low frequency rate of the
CMD8GX3M2A1600C9 kit. In addition to XMP, the modules have an SPD
configuration. The second configuration includes the relaxed timings and lower
frequencies, the kits will not cause any compatibility issues.
Corsair
Dominator Platinum PC3-12800 C9, 2x4 GB (CMD8Gx3M2A1600C9) technical specs:
·
Memory Speed: DDR3-1600/PC3-12800
·
Memory Size: 16 GB
·
Memory Socket: 240-pin DIMM
·
Error Checking: Non-ECC
·
Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
·
Number of Modules: 4
·
Manufacturer: Corsair
·
Lowest Price: $107.99 from Amazon.com
·
Power Score: 4.6
·
Memory Bandwidth: DDR3-1600/PC3-12800
·
Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
·
Error Checking: Non-ECC
·
Module Type: Unbuffered
·
Number of Pins: 240-pin
Corsair Dominator Platinum PC3-15000 C9 2x4 GB (CMD8GX3M2A1866C9)
The 1866MHz Dominator Platinum kit does not
appear to differ much from the 1600MHz one discussed above. The frequency is
the same, and it also includes two 4GB modules. In both cases, we have got a
CAS Latency of 9 and a voltage of 1.5 volts. There are no different views
between the CMD8GX3M2A1600C9 and CMD8GX3M2A1866C9 kits, either. Again, we can
see a high-performance passive cooling solution and the exclusive Dominator
Platinum design.
On both sides of the modules, we can find
out an embossed manufacturer logo and the stickers with the name of the series.
The most important information is the specs of the kit, although they are only
listed on a sticker. From the sticker we know that CMD8GX3M2A1866C9 is unique
in several aspects. Besides its timings of 9-10-9-27, it has a version number
of 8.16., which means that it uses memory chips from Nanya. Like this, the
DDR3-1866 Dominator Platinum kit is based on different parts rather than the
previous product.
Corsair
Dominator Platinum PC3-15000 C9 2x4 GB (CMD8GX3M2A1866C9
We cannot say what exactly about the chips
are, because their original marking has been erased. We can only note that
Nanya chips are but rarely used in overclocker- friendly products because they
are not usually capable of high overclocking.
The aggressive timings play roles as a
DDR3-1600 kit. In addition to RAS # to CAS # Delay, all secondary timings are
relaxed. You can easily see it in the information from the single XMP
configuration.
Single
XMP configuration
Anyway, the recommended voltage is a
standard 1.5 volts, so this kit is not really a real overclocker-friendly
product. It's pretty meant for modders; especially the CMD8GX3M2A1866C9 kit
looks as attractive as the rest of the Dominator Platinum series.
Corsair
Dominator Platinum PC3-15000 C9, 2x4 GB (CMD8Gx3M2A1866C9) technical specs
·
8 GB (2 x 4 GB) 1866MHz modules for use in high
performance DDR3 systems
·
End user swappable light bar
·
Patented DHX cooling for unmatched heat
dissipation
·
Supports Corsair Link technology
·
Timing: 9-10-9-27
·
Intel XMP 1.3
·
Pin Out: 240-Pin
·
Voltage: 1.5V
·
Processor, Memory, and Motherboard
·
RAM: 4 GB
·
RAM Type: DDR3 SDRAM
·
Cases and Expandability
·
Size (LWH): 13 inches, 7.13 inches, 2 inches
·
Weight: 5.28 ounces
·
Warranty and Support
