Review: G.Skill Ripjaws X PC3-12800

After a couple of months waiting (unfortunately) to publish the review of this kit, we are successfully offering the review of  this G.Skill Ripjaws memory kit built especially for Intel Sandy Bridge platforms .

“G. SKILL“, established in 1989 by enthusiasts, is a leading memory module Manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan.
With traditional strengths, we have built an excellent reputation by meeting market demand and fostering business competitiveness both locally and internationally with our dedications to provide competitive prices, On-Time Delivery, Assured Quality, Customer-Oriented Services and Diversity of Products.

Source: G.Skill

G. Skill Ripjaws X

The packaging that containing the memory kit is quite simple and sober as it is mainly forms a plastic that holds and protects the kit. It also includes a card printed design that specifically characterizes this kit in the front, helping to highlight the color choosen for this kit.

Taking out from the plastic packaging, the memories looks quite cool and unusual, this is because have a custom sink.

In one of the 2 sides of the memories we will find some details about of them. Then we’ll explain, quickly and generally some of those details.

• F3-12800XL7D-4GBXM, It’s a model kit code made by G.Skill.
  
• DDR3-1600, It’s the speed. Higher number = better performance, but take care about the timmings because they will determine the final performance.
  
• PC3-12800, It’s a code about standart from JEDEC, also correspond to a speed.
• 2GBx2, Processing capacity, 2 Gigabytes per 2 modules (4 Gigabytes). More is better, but we need to care about the Operating system we are using (64Bits OSes can enabled the support for 4 GB and more).
  
• 7-8-7-24, the CL. In simple words the latency (or timming). It determines how much time it takes for the memory to send a “file” to the next column address to be executed by the processor. Lower number = better perfomance.
  
• 7-8-7-24, the tRCD. In simple words this latency (or timming) determines how much time the memory take between reactivating a row and read/write files. Lower number = less stability on our system.
  
• 7-8-7-24, the tRP determines how much time the memory need to pre-activate and then activate the next row.
• 7-8-7-24, the tRAS determines how much time the memory need to activate a row. Higher number = more stability on our system.
• 1.5 v, is the voltage used to work and certify the kit for the timing and frequency.  Low voltage = better to us. Note: on Sandy Bridge Intel platforms we can use memory kits with a max. voltage of 1.65 v.

How is the heatsink? Take a look at this 2 pics, we can see that the heatspreader is pretty personalized to itself, especially its color and shape.

Technical details

Testing protocol

Hardware used:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 2600K
• Motherboard: Intel P67BG
• Memory rams: G. Skill Ripjaws X 2 x 2 Gb CL7-8-7-24 @1.5 v
• Videocard: Nvidia GT210 GDDR2 64 Bit
• Hard disk: Intel SSD S-ATA 2 80 GB
  
• Case: Xigmatek Midgard W
• PSU: Corsair TX850w

Software used:

• MaxxMEM

As our readers must know, the results shown are the product of the average of 3 runs for each benchmark or application used, so it manages to give a more clear and realistic vision of the performance of the hardware being reviewed.

Importantly, all technologies such as turbo, and other energy savings were deactivated. This was for one purpose, show the performance reached when is installed on a PC that performs everyday office tasks, gamers, etc.

Tests

MaxxMem is a benchmark that became known through hwbot. Basically was made to measure the bandwidth of writing, reading and copying of memory kit installed on the system (among many other features).
We are very happy to see that the kit gave us a very good performance even though the system was with a low-end motherboard.

Compatibility

This kit was designed to be used with sandy bridge platform, let’s see how it goes on another platform.

When we’re installing the kit on a AM3 platform we didn’t get any problem. So the setup was easy, same timmings and voltage to which they were made to work on the Intel Sandy Bridge platform.
While a 24/7 use on this same platform (AM3) all applications and games run successfully without presenting any BSOD. Even if sold for Sandy bridge, you can still use them for other platform.

Conclusion

G. Skill since years became one of the market-leaders brands of memory kits. This is because they have been covering all possible spaces for market such as gamers, overclockers, daily users, etc. In addition to that they have also been concerned to continue investing in research to offer a premium product with low costs.

This kit was launched at the same time that Intel launch his new CPU called “Sandy Bridge”. This kit have all what G.Skill can offer to their customers “quality, compatibility and esthetics“.

The best:

• Performance
• Esthetic
• Compatibility with other platform

Award

The reviewer decided to grant the G.Skill Ripjaws kit a “Recommended award with a final score of 5/5 stars” by his great performance, compatibility and esthetics.

Thanks

Overclocking-TV would like to thanks G. Skill and also our friend Mia Shih for the confidence that they had with us to do the review of this memory kit.
And of course we are also very grateful to all the Intel staff involved especially to Francisca Oliva and Marisol de la Fuente.