Kingston Launches 2,666 MHz-Certified Memory

Kingston is determined to hang onto its status as one of the best-known memory brands, so it has created some Hyper-X-branded, high-speed dual-channel DDR3 kits.

Since Intel saw fit to release a bunch of new dual-core and quad-core mobile and desktop CPUs, Kingston chose to ship kits “engineered especially for the new Intel third-generation Core i7 and i5 processors.”

“The new 22nm architecture of this processor allows significant performance gains for benchmarkers, enthusiasts and overclockers,” said Mark Tekunoff, senior technology manager, Kingston.

“Enthusiasts who want to push the performance boundaries of the new processors will want to pair it with Kingston HyperX memory. Our 2,666 MHz kit combined with the top CPU in the Ivy Bridge family will allow unparalleled performance.”

There are five kits in total, with capacities of either 8 GB or 16 GB (gigabytes). More precisely, there are three 8 GB kits and two 16 GB kits.

The former have speeds of 2,133 MHz, 2,400 MHz and 2.666 MHz, respectively, while the latter operate at 1,600 MHz and 2,133 MHz.

All products are non-ECC and need a voltage of 1.65 V to work, except for the 1,600 MHz 16 GB kit, which makes do with 1.5V.

Furthermore, Kingston managed to get Intel XMP (Extreme Memory profile) certification, as seen right here. Overclockers will probably have a field day once they buy one of these new memory offerings ($74.99 to $129.99 / 60 to 105 Euro).

And here is the catch: only overclockers will have a reason to consider buying these things. Regular consumers don't really need anything faster than 1,333 MHz if there are at least 4 GB / 8 GB present. Even professional designers and graphics editors don't actually require super-fast random access memory (RAM). It is probably one of the reasons Intel isn't rushing DDR4 support out the door, despite Samsung's grumbling.