Kingston HyperX 2GB PC3-14400 Memory Kit with Intel XMP

XMP Profiles and Under The Heat Spreader

This specific Kingston HyperX memory kit comes with Intel XMP, which is a quick and easy-to-us overclocking tool. Intel XMP is an expansion of the standard DDR3 memory specification, enabling a robust, overclocking solution designed to take advantage of the gaming features built into Intel technology-based PCs. In order to use Intel XMP you must be using a memory kit that supports the feature and a motherboard that supports Intel eXtreme Memory Profiles. For more on Intel XMP check out this article we wrote late last year.

When you “First boot” the system with the Kingston HyperX modules it will load the default JEDEC settings to ensure the system boots correctly the first time. The SPDs are programmed to JEDEC standard latency DDR3-1066Mhz timing of 7-7-7 at 1.5V in case you are wondering what they will run at right out of the box. Once it boots you can then enter the BIOS and manually change settings. Pictured above is the AI Tweaker menu from the ASUS P5E3 motherboard that allows you to enable XMP if you like. By enabling this feature it will automatically overclock the entire system and by doing so will change the Front Side Bus, memory dividers, voltages and so on. Expert users still have the option of manually changing specific parameters for personalized fine-tuning, so no worries if you want full control.

Not every new Intel motherboard supports XMP though as the NVIDIA nForce 790i SLI Ultra motherboard supports a competing specification called EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles). When I plugged in the Kingston HyperX DDR3 1800MHz kit into the nForce 790i SLI motherboard it just said that the EPP 2.0 memory profile was not detected and you must manually set timings and clocks on the system to reach the rated speed.

When using this kit paired with select Intel X38/X48 series-based motherboards, Kingston HyperX modules (designated with an X at the end of the part number) increase overall system performance by making sure the system BIOS is set correctly.

Under The Heat Spreader:

With all the heat spreaders removed we can get a glimpse of the Micron D9GTS IC’s (MT41J128M8BY-15E:B) which are popular on many DDR3 memory kits on the market today. The two most common IC’s are Micron D9GTS and D9GTR and the major difference between them is the timings that they are rated for. The D9GTS is rated for operation at 667MHz with a CL9 @ 1.5v while D9GTR is rated for operation at 533MHz with a CL7 @ 1.5v.

Micron D9GTS IC Specifications:

• Density: 1Gb
• Part Status: Production
• RohS: Yes
• Depth: 128Mb
• Width: x8
• Voltage: 1.5V
• Package: FBGA
• Pin Count: 86-ball
• Clock Rate: 667 MHz
• Cycle Time: 1.5ns
• Op. Temp.: 0C to +85C
• CL: CL = 9
• Data Rate: DDR3-1333

In case you missed something here are the key features of the memory kit:

Key Features:

• Memory amount: 2 x 1024MB
• 240-pin Unbuffered DDR3 SDRAM
• IC Brand: Micron (128Mx64 Configuration)
• 1800MHz (PC-14400) Unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 Modules
• CAS latency: 8 clock cycles
• RAS precharge: 8 cycles
• RAS active to precharge: 24 cycles
• Blue HyperX heat sinks for thermal diffusion
• Latency: 8-8-8-24
• Power supply�1.90V +/- 0.1V
• Lifetime Warranty