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Kingston Predator 16GB (2x8GB) 1866 MHz DDR3 RAM/Memory Kit Review (KHX18C9T2K2/16X)

Details: Written by Phil Weber on October 15th 2012 at 8:12pm

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Serving as a replacement for the aging HyperX T1 while complimenting the current Blu and Genesis lineup of HyperX memory, the Kingston HyperX T2 Predator boasts the fastest speeds, lowest latencies, and highest capacities in the family. The fresh heat spreader design is another welcome change, being a better match to the appearance and layout of modern systems than the larger and less dramatic shell of the T1. It's an impressive facelift, but how are the performance gains?

Overview

Kingston HyperX Predator

CAUTION: Users may experience extreme motion sickness and/or complete disorientation from the extreme speeds typically reached with HyperX® Predator. It is not intended for small children, the faint-at-heart, people with a lot of time to complete a creative project or anyone who settles for less. Featuring frequencies up to 2666MHz and a new heat spreader for greater heat dissipation, it’s Intel XMP ready, compatible with all popular brands of motherboards and backed by legendary Kingston® reliability. We might even recommend a helmet.

Capacities 4GB-32GB (with 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB kits)
Speeds up to 2666MHz
1.5V & 1.65V operating voltages enable stable overclocking
Intel XMP Ready; optimized performance settings handpicked and tested by Kingston engineers
Dual Channel kit tailored for P55, H67, P67, Z68, H61 (AG), and Z77 Intel chipsets; as well as A75, A87, A88, A89, A78, and E35 (Fusion) AMD chipsets.
Exceptional clock and latency timing specifications to enhance overall system performance
Heat sink design acheives effective maintenance of speed while prolonging the memory lifecycle
100% factory installed
All Kingston memory modules are backed by a lifetime warranty,

Courtesy of Kingston

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Specifications

Capacity	8GB-32GB (with 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB kits)
Frequency Speed	1600MHz-2666MHZ
Operating Temperature	0°C to 85°C
Storage Temperature	-55°C to 100°C
Dimensions	125.8mm x 47.9mm
DRAM	DDR3 Only
CAS Latency	Variable
Voltage	1.5V & 1.65V
Courtesy of Kingston

Packaging

Kingston Predator Packaging

The HyperX Predator kit may contain a set of premium DIMMs, but their packaging is no different than the minimalist containers that Kingston uses to stock the low end RAM. A transparent plastic shell bonded with a Kingston sticker to a black plastic rear is all you're going to get. Short of any noticeable tampering, they should be just fine. At least you're only one slice away from unpacking and installation. The sticks share their packaging with a warranty and installation guide.

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Comments

# Sabishii Hito 2012-10-26 08:21

These sticks are based on Hynix CFR 2Gb ICs and should have way more headroom, at least DDR3-2400 11-13-12.

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# Evan 2012-10-26 08:28

Quoting Sabishii Hito:

These sticks are based on Hynix CFR 2Gb ICs and should have way more headroom, at least DDR3-2400 11-13-12.

Even the best chips down have some "down-binned" parts come off the line for the lower frequency kits. But appreciate the feedback, and I'll give it another shot for you (we were unsuccessful through several hours of trial-and-error through seemingly endless timing combinations at 2400 MHz). It is very possible we have one unlucky DIMM holding the kit back. Appreciate it and we will report back if we get something to stick this time! These also deserve a discussion of the Hynix chips, so thanks for that as well.

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# Sabishii Hito 2012-10-26 11:04

Hmm, those buggers might need some more volts slapped in 'em! Although Hynix doesn't seem to scale much over 1.75v

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# Sabishii Hito 2012-10-26 12:21

Yeah these ICs, when going for clocks over 2000 like the timings to be tRCD=tRP+1=CAS+ 2

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# Evan 2012-10-26 12:28

Quoting Sabishii Hito:

Yeah these ICs, when going for clocks over 2000 like the timings to be tRCD=tRP+1=CAS+2

Great feedback and a good rule of thumb! Our mentality for the max OC was a "safe" 24/7 OC for a more typical enthusiast who likes to push without much added risk of damage, so we limited the voltage to 1.7V, I'll try a bit higher and see where it takes us!

Have a great day/weekend!

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# Sabishii Hito 2012-10-27 08:14

My mistake, these actually use Hynix MFR 4Gb ICs, but they like the same kind of timings as their smaller-density siblings the 2Gb CFR chips.

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