Corsair Dominator GT 3x2GB PC3-15000 Triple Channel Memory Review

Specifications

At this point, it is safe to assume that a large portion of the public is aware of the memory voltage limitation imposed on the Intel Core i7 processors. After it was known that anything above 1.65v was not recommend for i7 processors, memory manufacturers were left scrambling to find solutions for the high end market. The reason for the recommended low voltage deals with the fact that the memory controller is now on the CPU die instead of the chipset, thus making it much more susceptible to damage with high vDIMM, like AMD64 processors have been for years. Back in the middle of August, 2008, Elpida Memory Inc. announced a new DDR3 SDRAM integrated circuit (IC). These new IC's were designed with a copper interconnect that uses argon fluoride immersion lithography. This process has allowed these IC's to operate at much higher frequencies with substantially lower voltages.

These IC's were the gift that the enthusiast world was waiting for and we didn't even know it yet. Here we are in February of 2009 and these ICs have finally made their mark on the high-end computer enthusiast. It is these Elpida ICs that are responsible for the amazing performance offered by the Corsair Dominator-GT series that we are looking at today. Not only have we never seen specifications like this for DDR3 memory, we wouldn't even be close to these clocks at 1.65v if it wasn't for the Elpida ICs known as "Elpida Hyper". The only problem is that not even all of these super ICs run at operating frequencies in excess of DDR3-1800 at 7-8-7. A very small percentage actually does. What this means is that a good portion of the price we are paying for these modules is covering the binning process, and not the actual hardware. Let's now look at the official specifications of the TR3X6G1866C7GTF triple channel kit from the Corsair Dominator-GT series.

The above image is of course a PDF available from the Corsair web site. The very second point that Corsair advertises is support for Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP 1.2). Now, we aren't harping, we are just saying. XMP profiles are an almost must for performance memory and if memory manufacturers are going to advertise the capabilities, the motherboard manufacturers should support it. We are officially done complaining about XMP profiles, maybe.

As we have already seen from the photos in the previous sections, these modules are rated for operation at DDR3-1866 or 933MHz with timings of 7-8-7-20 at 1.65v vDIMM. Corsair tests each kit immediately before packaging on X58 based motherboards. It is our understanding that testing is performed on the ASUS P6T Deluxe. We have also found out that the TR3X6G1866C7GTF kits are verified compatible with the Gigabyte EX58-UD5, ASUS P6T Deluxe, ASUS Rampage Extreme II, and the DFI X58-T3eH8 that we are using today. We will also attempt to stabilize the memory at the above rated specifications on the EVGA X58 SLI as well. As we know, there are also DDR3-2000 Dominator-GT kits available rated for timings of 7-8-7 and 8-8-8. The DDR3-1866 7-8-7 kit we are focusing on today are basically those modules that couldn't quite meet the higher binned specifications. It theoretically caps the available performance we can expect at 1.65v, but also allows for a better price than the higher binned parts. At $480USD, it is most certainly hard to say these come at a good price, but it certainly is less than the $580 DDR3-2000 7-8-7 kits.

Let's now turn our attention to the Dominator DHX heat sinks that drape over these impressive memory modules.

This convenient cutout image of a Dominator-GT module shows exactly what we were trying to explain in the last couple photos of the Memory Overview section on the last page. There are two methods for heat to escape from the modules. Through the ICs in the traditional manner with aluminum heat sinks directly contacting the ICs, as well as the industry first and only, PCB that is designed to draw heat out from the ICs through the PCB. This heat is then transferred to the cooling fins through direct contact with the heat sinks at the top of the PCB. This design is really quite brilliant and Corsair has been using it for some time now. We have always loved the DHX heat sinks, right back to the original offerings on the PC2-10000 DDR2 Dominator kits. Our one concern is the fact that the top is removable for upgrade options. This is great as it adds another level potential performance to the memory, but this also provides another joint where heat has to transfer instead of a solid path from the PCB/ICs to the cooling fins.

The image above shows the top cooling fin separated from the heat sink body. The three hex head screws hold the red cooling fins in place. A layer of thermal material interfaces between the two surfaces. This does allow for the potential upgrading of module cooling but as we mentioned, it removes the direct path to the cooling fins that the original Dominator DHX heat sinks provided. It is a bit of a give and take situation for Corsair with this design.

Okay, enough discussion of specifications, or possibilities. Let's get these modules installed already and take them for a spin. Next up is the installation section as well as a thorough run down of our test platform.