RAM vs RAM vs RAM

Takaharu · Feb 4, 2011, 03:35 PM

Can anyone please tell me the difference between maufacturers that make the same RAM under different names?

The one that sparked this question was the difference between:
Kingston HyperX Blu 9-9-9-27 1.65v,
Kingston HyperX 9-9-9-27 1.65v,
Kingston HyperX XMP 9-9-9-27 1.65v

They all seem to have decent heatspreaders, all the same manufacturer but HX Blu is classed as entry-level, HX is the norm and HX XMP is high-end.

Apart from the heatspreaders, I also don't know the difference between Corsair RAM that has the same speed, timings & voltage as each other. I'm sure there are others, too.

Tipstaff · Feb 4, 2011, 07:39 PM

Without taking the heat spreaders off to see what RAM chips are used (if they are all the same ones, or different) this is just a guess, but it could be due to in-house tested tolerances. By this I mean max/min/stable voltages, timings, bus speeds, and anything to do with overclocking.

However, in regards to the XMP version, I can't remember where the profile is stored (on the RAM or in the bios), but in the case of Asus boards they are able to load the XMP profile of that specific RAM, and know what your RAM is capable of in terms of voltages, timings, and so fourth as tested by the RAM manufacturer. In terms of overclocking this gets you from A (install) to C (overclocking) without having to fart around at point B, which is the point where you are trying to figure out exactly what your RAMs tolerances are.

Sihastru · Feb 4, 2011, 09:35 PM

Can be different ICs, different PCB (6, 8, 10 layers with DDR3), can be just IC binning, or it can be just the need to offer diversity in their lineup.

Kingston has the valueline, where there are no heatspreaders at all, but they are still good quality modules, they don't really overclock much above 1600MHz. Then they have their HyperX line that can have from medium to high end modules (2000+ MHz).

I think they felt that there was a gap in their lineup when they introduced the Blu line, that is just a valueline module with a simple heatspreader. Many manufacturers had introduced similar lines, like Mushkin (Silverline) and Corsair (XMS3) and it's just a response to that.

Feb 4, 2011, 03:35 PM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,849 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	RAM vs RAM vs RAM Can anyone please tell me the difference between maufacturers that make the same RAM under different names? The one that sparked this question was the difference between: Kingston HyperX Blu 9-9-9-27 1.65v, Kingston HyperX 9-9-9-27 1.65v, Kingston HyperX XMP 9-9-9-27 1.65v They all seem to have decent heatspreaders, all the same manufacturer but HX Blu is classed as entry-level, HX is the norm and HX XMP is high-end. Apart from the heatspreaders, I also don't know the difference between Corsair RAM that has the same speed, timings & voltage as each other. I'm sure there are others, too. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Feb 4, 2011, 07:39 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: RAM vs RAM vs RAM Without taking the heat spreaders off to see what RAM chips are used (if they are all the same ones, or different) this is just a guess, but it could be due to in-house tested tolerances. By this I mean max/min/stable voltages, timings, bus speeds, and anything to do with overclocking. However, in regards to the XMP version, I can't remember where the profile is stored (on the RAM or in the bios), but in the case of Asus boards they are able to load the XMP profile of that specific RAM, and know what your RAM is capable of in terms of voltages, timings, and so fourth as tested by the RAM manufacturer. In terms of overclocking this gets you from A (install) to C (overclocking) without having to fart around at point B, which is the point where you are trying to figure out exactly what your RAMs tolerances are. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Feb 4, 2011, 09:35 PM	#3
Sihastru Never been clicked Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 433 Rep Power: 45 System Specs	Re: RAM vs RAM vs RAM Can be different ICs, different PCB (6, 8, 10 layers with DDR3), can be just IC binning, or it can be just the need to offer diversity in their lineup. Kingston has the valueline, where there are no heatspreaders at all, but they are still good quality modules, they don't really overclock much above 1600MHz. Then they have their HyperX line that can have from medium to high end modules (2000+ MHz). I think they felt that there was a gap in their lineup when they introduced the Blu line, that is just a valueline module with a simple heatspreader. Many manufacturers had introduced similar lines, like Mushkin (Silverline) and Corsair (XMS3) and it's just a response to that. __________________ There are more things in heaven and earth then are dreamt of in your philosophy. Intel Core i7 3820 \| Corsair H80 \| Asus P9X79 \| Kingston HyperX T1 Black 32GB DDR3 \| Gigabyte 8800 GTS 512 \| 2xIntel X25-M 160GB RAID0 + 2xWD 1TB Green RAID1 \| Asus Xonar DX \| Asus ES2-750 \| Sony OptiArc DVD+/-RW \| Corsair AX850 Gold \| Fractal Design Define R3 Titanium \| Dell 3007WFP-HC2 30" 2560x1600 \| Corsair SP2500 \| Logitech UltraX Premium \| CM Storm Advance \| Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64bit