Final Words & Conclusion
Final Words & Conclusion
Over the years DDR3 memory has been evolving from dull green DIMM modules to extremely high frequency low voltage products. The market is fierce and hefty, it drove down prices and some memory manufacturers almost went under due to it. So to be able to address the market and make a profit on it, you need to have something really interesting and Corsair managed to do just that.
Now there's DIMM memory for everybody, cheap, mid-range uber overclockable -- but the fact remains that there is an enthusiast segment in the market that want great performance with no hassle with that one variable, it must look great... something special. The new Dominator Platinum modules are exactly that. Honestly each time I look at them the one thing that pops into my mind is the word "Nice".
Let me throw a hypothetical at you. I mean, all memory performs roughly equal these days in terms of frequency and timings right? Now if you have the money to spare, you purchase say a Porsche over a Vauxhall (there's nothing wrong with a Vauxhall)... But that sentiment really embeds what this memory is. It's for the kind of people that passionately build a PC, take great care in cable routing, they want it to look good with some nice LED or Cold Cathode light here and there. The DIY PC builder that cares about looks and performance. The guys that purchase the Big Bang XPower II motherboard like shown today. It's exactly that user (and I do dare to say EXACTLY this audience) that is willing to spend some extra money on the coolest looking stuff to make that PC build something special.
The DIMMs we tested today are high-density 4GB DIMM modules and as such it is impressive to see that this kit can easily run a 2133MHz frequency and does so with respectable latency timings combined with a low 1.5 Voltage. Obviously the kit tested today is targeted at the latest series 6/7 Intel motherboard solutions that allow 1600+ MHz on that memory, and that's where this 16 GB kit really is golden... well Platinum ;) Overclocking wise we fooled around with it a little and you will be limited alright. Then again at default you can already run 2133 MHz. But tweaking the memory ratio to the 2400MHz step resulted in a non posting motherboard. Long story short, we reached 2245Mhz at C9 with a maximum in baseclock changes. But at that point we needed 1.67 Volts on the memory already. I'd say leave it at the 2133 MHz XMP, that frequency rocks already and perf wise, the difference is nearly NIL anyway.
Now I'm not going to debate prices as price performance ratio's -- as honesty -- it does not apply here. These DIMMs will be more expensive then your average memory modules alright. It depends greatly on your preferred memory frequency though, an 16 GB Dominator Platinum kit can go from as low as 130 EUR (1600 MHz DIMMs) towards 230 EUR for the kit as tested today at 2133 MHz. Personally I feel that a 16GB / 1600 MHz kit at 130 EUR would be a great deal really. Then again if you want 1866, 2133 or even 2666 MHz... heck it's all possible, but you will pay a price premium of course.
For that money you not only receive nice and fast DIMMs, but these DIMMS just look mega cool on your motherboard with a black PCB. Armed with a cute LED, the LINK connector as option we feel these are fantastic DIMMs.
Well, let me wrap it up. The new Dominator Platinum series DIMMs are a niche product series aimed at a very specific group of people, not the people that want the uber fastest or at the other side of the spectrum, the value for money users. The Dominator Platinum series as tested today are for the guys and gals that need fast, easy to configure memory combined with a need for quality, features and something special -- I mean I haven't used the phrase 'x-factor' for a while, but it really is all about that. These honestly are the best looking DIMMs I have tested in a long time. The best looks versus great performance sums it up best really. Armed with a limited lifetime warranty and a funky LED, you just can't go wrong here man.
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