Kingston HyperX PC-4300 Memory

Introduction:

With DDR1 reaching the ends of it’s dominance memory companies are rolling out some extremely fast modules for those looking to get every last drop of bandwidth out of their Intel i848/865/875P motherboards! Kingston was a bit late to the DDR500+ memory market and when they finally released a product it was rated at PC-4300. This may seem a bit strange to some as both Corsair and OCZ launched PC-4400, but Kingston usually has a good reason behind the way they do things.

Before I go into detail on the PC-4300, think about how many boards are able to run PC-4400 (DDR550) with stability. We have Canterwood motherboards from ABIT, ASUS, Albatron, Epox, DFI, MSI, and more, but have found only one board that is able to run stable in 1:1 mode at 550MHz — The ASUS Canterwood. The next best bet is the DFI LanParty Pro875B, but the ASUS P4C800-E has a better track record for reaching DDR550. If you don’t have either of these motherboard the chances of being able to run DDR550 is not that great.

Other than the fact that only a couple boards can reach these speeds IC selection once again plays a crucial role in the final product. Kingston informed us that when they screened the Hynix IC’s used on their modules that only 5% passed testing at PC-4400 while 85% passed testing at PC-4300. The fact that 85% of the IC’s screened out at PC-4300 and the more important fact that virtually no one can run DDR550 prompted Kingston to launch with PC-4300.

Features:

The Kingston HyperX modules came in the standard Kingston packaging with detailed directions and information regarding the lifetime warranty. Kingston HyperX modules are guaranteed to operate, as specified by their data sheet and in the operating environment for which they were intended, for the life of the product.

The memory we are testing today are a matched pair of modules that have been specifically designed for use on Intel i865/i875 platforms. Every Kingston HyperX PC-4300 module was tested on an Asus P4C800-E motherboard before being packaged and shipped out to consumers. The Asus P4C800-E Deluxe just happens to be the board that we will using for our benchmarking!

Enthusiast Challenge: Are you a HyperX fan? If you’ve been following the HyperX line over the past year you should notice something different in the image above. If you noticed that the Kingston label has changed you are correct! Due to am increasing problem with counterfeit modules, Kingston has begun to use SecureShift labels on their memory manufactured in China and will soon incorporate the technology worldwide.This label has a “rose to green” color-shift that allows customers to quickly identify genuine Kingston product. This is not currently being done on modules assembled in America, but soon will be.

Key Features:

• Memory amount: 2x 512MB
• Access time: 4.0ns Hynix IC’s
• 533MHz (PC-4300) Unbuffered DDR Modules
• CAS latency: 3 clock cycles
• RAS precharge: 4 cycles
• RAS active to precharge: 8 cycles
• Command rate: 1T (1 cycle)
• Aluminum heat spreader for thermal diffusion (Blue)
• Latency: 3-4-4-8-1T
• 2.7V
• Lifetime Warranty