Final thoughts
What it boils down to is that DDR3 is still too expensive to consider for the vast majority of users. We say this because, as our truncated set of benchmarks show, DDR2-1,066MHz, available for under £80 for a 4GB set, is no performance slouch. A similar 4GB kit of DDR3-1,600 costs 2.5x as much and delivers barely any extra performance.This status quo will change as Intel brings in Core i7 (Nehalem) processors. Matters will gain pace further when AMD moves on to a DDR3-based memory controller in 2009, of course, but DDR3 memory remains the domain of the high-end, super-overclocked system for now.
Corsair sells a whole bunch of DDR3 kits to the folk who will use them: the enthusiast. If you choose to go down the DDR3 route it makes sense to go right in and buy 4GB, because anything less and Windows Vista, the likely OS, will chug along, as shown by our 4GB vs. 2GB testing observations.
Priced at around £239 for a 4GB pack the EPP2.0-supporting Corsair TW3X4G1600C9DHXNV is reasonable enough. However, for most, if you want a performance machine right now, wait for a tri-channel memory pack to come out for Core i7, as it's one processor that can use the benefits of DDR3 memory.
Update: bizarrely, the same set of Corsair memory, but bereft of NVIDIA's EPP2.0 specification, can be purchased for around £100 less. It's currently on pre-order for £133.95
HEXUS.certification
The Corsair TW3X4G1600C9DHXNV passed all of our stringent tests without failure. This is not a recommendation to buy, however. Knowing what we do about the EPP2.0-less set, at £134, it makes far more sense to opt for that.
Corsair TW3X4G1600C9DHXNV
HEXUS Where2Buy
The memory can be bought for £239.84 from Scan.co.uk.The EPP2.0-less set, identical in all other respects, is on pre-order for £133.95
As always, UK-based HEXUS.community discussion forum members will benefit from the SCAN2HEXUS free shipping initiative, which will save you a further few pounds plus also top-notch, priority customer service and technical support backed up by the SCANcare@HEXUS forum.
