Avexir Core Extreme 3000MHz 8GB Memory Kit Review

1. Introduction2. Avexir Core Extreme 3000MHz Memory3. Configuring the BIOS4. System Configuration5. SiSoft Sandra6. MaxxMem27. Cinebench R11.5 64 bit8. Super Pi9. Overclocking10. Closing Thoughts11. View All Pages

With an out-of-the-box DRAM frequency of 3GHz, Avexir's 3000MHz Core Extreme Series 8GB memory kit is a good choice for extreme enthusiasts and serious overclockers.

As was the case with G.Skill's 2933MHz TridentX memory kit, don't expect to be able to plug these 3000MHz modules into your motherboard and instantly obtain excellent performance. With specific benchmarks, a 2133MHz set of memory will offer greater performance, in general. This is likely to be related to the very loose secondary timings set by a Z87 motherboard when the Avexir memory's XMP profile is enabled.

If you want the best performance out of this kit, there is no other way to obtain it than to manually configure a large number of timings. This is a long-winded procedure, but one that has the potential to reap excellent rewards. Users wanting a simple high value for money plug-and-play memory kit should save their cash and look elsewhere.

The Avexir Core Extreme Series 3000MHz memory kit's overclocking potential was good. We weren't expecting to be able to push the sticks past their already-high stock frequency by a great margin, but we did end up with a borderline-stable overclock of 3192MHz. This represents a 6.4% frequency boost which took us well past the 3GHz barrier.

With the same loosened timings and numerous voltage tweaks, we were able to boot all of the way up to a 3240MHz DRAM frequency. Super Pi and a number of reluctant boot attempts indicated that this configuration was not benchmark-stable. Obtaining stability at this level would require greater voltage settings, and possibly more extreme cooling.

On the topic of cooling, a memory fan would have been a welcomed addition to the bundle. Undoubtedly this would have increased the kit's cost by a small amount, but it would have made higher voltage levels safer in a chassis environment. On the other hand, the type of user purchasing this memory kit is likely to be using extreme cooling such as LN2 or DICE. Exactly how worthwhile a bundled memory fan would be depends on your own point of view and usage scenario.

Another thing to bear in mind is that this kit isn't your average set of DDR3. Motherboard compatibility is limited and Avexir only confirms support for the Z87 platform. To the enthusiast and overclocker target audience, this is unlikely to be an issue.

Priced at £399.95 from OverclockersUK, the Avexir Core Extreme 3000MHz 8GB memory kit is very expensive. But that doesn't mean that the kit isn't worth its price tag. If you're an extreme overclocker looking to break world records, or are an avid enthusiast who likes nothing but the fastest, the Avexir Core Extreme Series 3000MHz memory kit is a great choice, provided you have the time and knowledge to tweak the secondary timings, that is.

Pros:

• 3GHz out-of-the-box frequency.
• Solid overclocking potential.
• XMP support.
• Low profile heatsinks.
• Five LED colours.

Cons:

• Very expensive.
• Waste of money for plug-and-play users.
• Limited motherboard compatibility.
• Cooling fan would have been welcomed.

KitGuru says: With a 3GHz out-of-the-box frequency and solid overclocking headroom, Avexir's Core Extreme Series 3000MHz memory kit is worth buying if you're an extreme overclocker.

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