Package & Memory Overview

We are now getting into the meat and potatoes of the review with our first look at the actual modules we will be testing today. As always, we start with a look at the package that they came in and then the hardware itself.


This is the retail package the Corsair Dominator PC3-14400 7-7-7 kit comes in. It is your typical molded plastic clam shell that is used for so many memory kits these days. The modules are held securely in place in the upper portion of the package and because the plastic is clear, we can see pretty much the entire module.


Sitting behind the modules providing a back drop is the paper insert with all of the advertising and marketing logos as well as some information about the Dominator heat sink design on the back side. It was just mentioned that the modules were held 'securely' in place thanks to the molded plastic tabs where they rest. The Dominator Airflow fan doesn't have the same comfort. In fact, the Airflow fan doesn't really fit in the package at all and the package will not stay securely closed. Our modules luckily stayed locked in their spot during transport but many consumers have complained that upon receiving Dominator memory in this package, modules came loose from the package because of the Airflow fan blocking the ability for the package to close. We would really like to see a solution for this issue and for Corsair to come up with a better, just as cost effective, solution for transporting modules with the Airflow fan.


Like we said, the Airflow fan is the culprit for the package not staying closed. The fan comes disassemble and the package of screws seen above are part of the problem. Even when we tucked the screws to assemble the fan inside the chassis of the fan, the package still would not close. The other important role of the interior sheet of paper is installation instructions. The sheet opens up and provides instructions for both memory installation, and the Dominator fan installation.


Assembling the Dominator fan is very easy and is accomplished without tools thanks to the thumb screws. We simply have to slide the mounting tab in place and secure it with the double washer and thumb screw. It was fully assembled in less than two minutes and the hardest part was just getting into the bag for the mounting screws. In the end we simply destroyed the bag to make it happen.


Aren't they just beautiful? In our opinion here at Hardware Canucks, the Dominator heat sinks are not only the most technically advanced thermal solution for memory but the tuxedo black finish and overall visual appeal of these modules is just stunning. The entire design, right down to the part label, is esthetically pleasing and very well conceived. The use of the dark PCBs that match the heat sink is a very nice touch as well. I guess if you are going to be designing and getting a custom PCB made, you might as well get it done in a color that compliments the rest of the module.


The primary feature of the Dominator heat sinks are the cooling fins at the top of the module. There is also additional cooling engineered into the side of the heat sinks through the way of the ribbed surface. Not only does it add visual appeal and style the module, but it provides the slightest extra bit of surface area for dissipating heat. Naturally these modules are taller than a standard module which will play a role during installation so we will discuss that then.


As much as the rest of the module is impressive, the real work isn't on the exterior. The real design elements that set these DHX heat sinks apart is under the visible portion of the heat sink and part of the silver interior cooling fins we see poking out of the top of the modules here.


The base of the silver fins originates here, on the upper portion of the PCB. This gold plate along the top of the PCB is the contact pad we saw earlier in the specifications diagram where the silver cooling fins remove the heat that is coming through the PCB. This design is so very well executed that just looking at these photos is impressive, let alone how well the design works. Directly from the side we can see the ICs on the inside halves of the modules but no ICs on the outside. This is because these modules are single sided as are most Micron based 1GB DDR3 modules. This means that a simple thermal pad has been placed on the backside to ensure the heat sinks sit flat on the module for optimal cooling of the ICs on the other side. Corsair also uses a clear thin layer of thermal interface material between the ICs and the heat sinks but we can't even see it in the photos here. This thermal interface is actually cured in an oven to provide the ultimate thermal conductivity. It also prevents us from removing the heat sinks to inspect the ICs.