Page 1: Intro, Box, KHX8500D2T1K2/4G
Intro
The majority of publications that review enthusiast computer hardware have all but forgotten DDR2. Even though DDR3 is the new technology in the spotlight, DDR2 still commands a majority of the market. Kingston heavily focuses on where the market is at a given point in time. To this end, the company has released new enthusiast DDR2 kits with the brand new T1 heat-spreader design. The KHX8500D2T1K2/4G kit is one of the higher end DDR2 kits equipped with 4GB of memory. DDR2 is the memory of the mainstream market.
Box
Kingston started shipping RAM in new packaging that protects the modules better than the retail casing did. Inside, the modules are in individual compartments of the ESD bag.
This is a bit of a humorous point when you receive the modules. The sticker on the box says "VOID IF OPEN," but how can you use the modules? Either way, there is no need to pay attention to this sticker.
Each modules is wrapped in a separate cell of the single ESD bag. It is made for triple channel kits since it has three cells.
KHX8500D2T1K2/4G
The T1 heat-spreaders make these new modules very massive compared to normal heat-spreaders. ASE Labs is not convinced of the benefit of having humongous heat-spreaders on RAM other than for the look. That being said, the look of these will certain turns heads if placed in a case with a window. There is no need for the extra expense of the new heat-spreader if the kit isn't going to be paired with a case that shows the components of the system.
Kingston retains the traditional blue coloring for this new design along with the Kingston head on the left. The modules are a bit heavier than normal due to the extensive use of extra metal.
Kingston still doesn't place the timing of the modules on the sticker. It is useful information that should be contained on the modules themselves without having to lookup elsewhere. Other than the timings, the speed and voltage are given (8500 is 1066MHz). This RAM is rated to run at 2.2 to 2.3V (website specifications) at 5-5-5-15-2T. This is a 4GB kit and timings are usually slower at this speed. This is also why the command rate is specified at 2T.
The heatsinks are bonded to the modules. In the past, clips were used to hold the heat-spreaders on the chips and were easily removed. No more can you easily take these heatsinks off. Doing so will also void your warranty. That would not be wise with Kingston's lifetime warranty.
As a comparison, the DDR3 modules from Kingston sports the normal heat-spreader. The T1 heatsinks are quite a bit larger than the DDR3 stick as a comparison. Yes, it enhances the look over the older generation heat-spreaders. This kit provides no support for SLI or XMP profiles. The SPD is set for 800MHz (JEDEC) at 5-5-5-18 running at the standard 1.8V to ensure that the RAM boots with a fresh system. Too often do RAM manufactures set the default SPD way to high for default voltage.
The majority of publications that review enthusiast computer hardware have all but forgotten DDR2. Even though DDR3 is the new technology in the spotlight, DDR2 still commands a majority of the market. Kingston heavily focuses on where the market is at a given point in time. To this end, the company has released new enthusiast DDR2 kits with the brand new T1 heat-spreader design. The KHX8500D2T1K2/4G kit is one of the higher end DDR2 kits equipped with 4GB of memory. DDR2 is the memory of the mainstream market.
Box
Kingston started shipping RAM in new packaging that protects the modules better than the retail casing did. Inside, the modules are in individual compartments of the ESD bag.
This is a bit of a humorous point when you receive the modules. The sticker on the box says "VOID IF OPEN," but how can you use the modules? Either way, there is no need to pay attention to this sticker.
Each modules is wrapped in a separate cell of the single ESD bag. It is made for triple channel kits since it has three cells.
KHX8500D2T1K2/4G
The T1 heat-spreaders make these new modules very massive compared to normal heat-spreaders. ASE Labs is not convinced of the benefit of having humongous heat-spreaders on RAM other than for the look. That being said, the look of these will certain turns heads if placed in a case with a window. There is no need for the extra expense of the new heat-spreader if the kit isn't going to be paired with a case that shows the components of the system.
Kingston retains the traditional blue coloring for this new design along with the Kingston head on the left. The modules are a bit heavier than normal due to the extensive use of extra metal.
Kingston still doesn't place the timing of the modules on the sticker. It is useful information that should be contained on the modules themselves without having to lookup elsewhere. Other than the timings, the speed and voltage are given (8500 is 1066MHz). This RAM is rated to run at 2.2 to 2.3V (website specifications) at 5-5-5-15-2T. This is a 4GB kit and timings are usually slower at this speed. This is also why the command rate is specified at 2T.
The heatsinks are bonded to the modules. In the past, clips were used to hold the heat-spreaders on the chips and were easily removed. No more can you easily take these heatsinks off. Doing so will also void your warranty. That would not be wise with Kingston's lifetime warranty.
As a comparison, the DDR3 modules from Kingston sports the normal heat-spreader. The T1 heatsinks are quite a bit larger than the DDR3 stick as a comparison. Yes, it enhances the look over the older generation heat-spreaders. This kit provides no support for SLI or XMP profiles. The SPD is set for 800MHz (JEDEC) at 5-5-5-18 running at the standard 1.8V to ensure that the RAM boots with a fresh system. Too often do RAM manufactures set the default SPD way to high for default voltage.