Final thoughts and rating
Intel's Core i7 CPUs use an integrated tri-channel memory-controller that can be forced to run at >1,600MHz on enthusiast-orientated X58 boards, usually via built-in XMP profiles on suitable modules.One such XMP-qualified pack is Corsair's DOMINATOR DDR3-1,600 C8, shipping with spiffy DHX heatspreaders and decent timings of 8-8-8-24-2T. The modules are available in either 3GB (3x 1GB) or 6GB (3x 2GB) packs and cost from £100 and £195, respectively.
Our testing with a Core i7 965 Extreme Edition processor has shown that whilst increasing memory speeds shows good performance scaling in wholly synthetic benchmarks such as Sisoft Sandra, real-world usage doesn't appear to be as receptive to increases in frequency.
Yes, we can engineer instances where 1,600MHz memory is ostensibly faster than 1,066MHz - usually with games benchmarked at low-detail settings - but the truth is that you wouldn't see the difference with resolution set to, say, 1,680x1,050.
Is there a point in paying around £50 over a basic 6GB DDR3 pack then? The answer is probably no if you're planning to run stock speeds on a Core i7 920, simply because the extra money would be far more beneficially spent on a better class of graphics card.
However, most products have a particular purpose and we appreciate that. If you happen to be an enthusiast who wants every last ounce of performance from their system, especially if overclocked to the limit, then the DOMINATOR DDR3-1,600 C8 pack may be worth it.
Bottom line: about as good as a DDR3-1,600 pack can be, but there's scant performance increase from cheaper, lower-speed sets, and that's more to do with Core i7 architecture than Corsair's engineering talent.
The good
6GB pack works flawlessly at 1,600MHz
Low latencies
Heatspreaders amongst the best in the business
The not so good
Barely any pragmatic and meaningful increase in performance over a DDR3-1,066 CL7 set, which is £50 cheaper
HEXUS Rating
HEXUS.net scores products out of 100%, taking into account technology, implementation, stability, performance, value, customer care and desirability. A score for an average-rated product is a meaningful ‘50%’, and not ‘90%’, which is common practice for a great many other publications.We consider any product score above '50%' as a safe buy. The higher the score, the higher the recommendation from HEXUS to buy. Simple, straightforward buying advice.
Corsair DOMINATOR DDR3-1,600 C8 (TR3X6G1600C8D)
