Conclusion
Should you opt for high-speed DDR3 on an Intel platform, then?Our findings suggest that a 2GiB dual-channel pack of 1,600MHz+-rated DDR3 is only beneficial if you're able to ratchet the CPU's FSB way, way beyond 1.6GHz, because, otherwise, there's simply too much wasted bandwidth not being utilised.
The 2GiB G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-2GB pack, run with a 3.2GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770, produces numbers that are generally in line with the 2GiB Crucial 2GHz set, reinforcing the wasted-bandwidth observation.
We like the fact that the G.SKILL scales well, up to 2GHz, with no increase in voltage, and can also run with more-aggressive timings at higher-than-specified speeds. Further, a second pack can be added to run 4GiB, too.
Recommeding the G.SKILL is difficult, however, as it doesn't feature EPP 2.0/XMP profiles, and it's stocked by very few e-tailers in the UK, whilst competitors - Corsair and OCZ, for example - have similar packs, at similar pricing (£165), available through a large network.
As we've alluded to before, the £340 EPP 2.0-supporting Crucial set suffers from the inability of the host system to fully realise the potential 32GiB/s bandwidth on tap. As such, priced at twice the G.SKILL's levels, it provides no tangible performance increase when paired with the fastest default-clocked processor Intel has to offer.
One would need to utilise a 4GHz+ processor, along with an appropriately outrageous FSB (2GHz+), before the Crucial's bandwidth advantage even begins to be realised. Muddying matters further, one can only install two modules to run at 2GHz, presently.
Bottom line: the huge price premium for 2GHz DDR3 can only be shortlisted for the ultra-die-hard overclockers who push their systems to the ragged limit. Everyone else should either look at somewhat sensibly-priced DDR3-1600 instead, with the G.SKILL pack offering decent performance and latency flexibility, or, really, a 4GiB 1,333MHz DDR3 pack, available for much the same money.
HEXUS Awards
Both sets worked flawlessly but neither can be absolutely recommended for the reasons listed above.
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-2GB
Crucial BL12864BE2009
HEXUS Where2Buy
The Crucial BL12864BE2009 pack can be purchased for around £340 here.HEXUS Right2Reply
At HEXUS.net, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any of G.SKILL or Crucial's representatives choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.HEXUS related reading
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