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The ADATA DDR3 1600 12GB Gaming series memory is clearly not just an option for gamers. We have shown that in demanding situations for the X58 platform 12GB is much better than 6GB.
The mainstream focus for the major memory manufacturers is still based around 1GB or 2GB density sticks, but as user demands increase, we will see more of these high density kits being released to market. If you own an X58 board and need an upgrade, then memory prices right now are as good as we can remember. With the recent Japan disaster we can assume prices will rise in Q3, so if you can afford it, now is an ideal time to part with the cash. At around £140 for this 12GB kit, fully populating the majority of X58 boards with 24GB of memory costs under £300.
The only real trade off is based around looser timings. With these high density configurations, 9-9-9 is generally as good as you will get. That said, while this doesn't seem impressive on paper, it really is basically impossible to tell the difference in the real world between this kit and one tagged with a 7-9-7 profile.
If you are just interested in gaming, then 6GB is perfectly fine for now, and I have spent a long time testing various games with 6GB and 12GB system builds, coming to the conclusion that there are very few, if any tangible benefits between the two configurations. This might change in the future.
Applications such as Adobe Photoshop reap the rewards with higher memory counts, obviously depending on your demands. If you are simply editing a couple of 72 dpi web graphics then it won't make a difference, but for serious SLR photographers or designers, then 12GB of ram is a worthwhile investment. Large documents with multiple layers will demand more memory before paging into the scratch disc causing slow down. The benefits of 12GB can mean the difference between a responsive system and one that is continually shifting data between hard drive and memory. If you have configured Photoshop to page data to a fast Solid State Drive the data lag will not be so dramatic, but it is still noticeable.
Also if, like myself, you work with multiple screens and have many programs open simultaneously then a higher memory count will aid productivity dramatically. Upgrading to 12GB boosted performance by up to 40% in our Photoshop tests.
At £140, it is hard to fault this kit and when compared to the Kingston T1 12GB we reviewed recently, the smaller ram heatspreaders offer slightly improved compatibility with oversized CPU coolers. I still can't get over current memory prices, because it seems like only yesterday when 4GB of quality memory cost as much as this 12GB kit. It won't hold forever at these prices though, that's for certain.
Pros:
- heatspreaders are only slightly oversized meaning more compatibility with big CPU coolers
- great performance
- pricing is extremely competitive
Cons:
- timings are looser than 2GB density sticks at the same frequency
- overclocking capabilities aren't good
Kitguru says: X58 owners with higher multitasking or professional oriented demands should consider this kit as a cost effective upgrade.
Nice memory kit. i remember paying £150 for 2GB of ram years ago. its crazy atm.
if only I could afford an X58 system, they offer quite poor value for money, but for rendering and stuff, only wayt to go
I bought a 4GB kit a few months ago when I saw a review here on data. they seem like a company destined to go places.
12GB kits are really cheap right now. hard to imagine anyone buying an X58 opting for a 6GB config. why bother? 12gb will be needed soon enough I reckon
12GB kits are really cheap right now. hard to imagine anyone buying an X58 opting for a 6GB config. why bother? 12gb will be needed soon enough I reckon
Their 1600mhz 8GB for P67 is great, I got it. have it oc’d to 1950mhz 🙂
I like the fact they aren’t offering massively oversized spreaders on these, I hate seeing those now as they block so many good coolers. Does this kit work with D14 though?
They work with D14, but you need to force them slightly under some of the fins. its possible, but its difficult tog et them out in the case once its all fitted. not that most people will need to do this.
Whats the UK warranty like? I had patriot memory die on me recently and I got the cold shoulder, meaning I want coverage now. ADATA are basically unknown here, i want to know more about them before spending money.
No offense, but who the fuck are ADATA ?
Ordered the sapphier pure black X58 and went to order this, and cuoldnt find it anywhere on stock. ending up going with Corsair 12GB.
ADATA need to sort out stock, ive went to buy a few things going on reviews here and I can never find anything in the UK. Isn’t Kitguru a UK site ? sort it out with them, really. its frustrating.
Spent an hour last night trying to find this. no where stocks it, even in europe.
Pointless review. I suggest you only review ADATA goods that we can buy.
Zardon. ive a tip for you.
ask ADATA if they actually sell the stuff you review.
its the whole point of reviews. not so you can just play about with new things. No buy links, no confirmed prices, no availability.
im interested in the adata products Kitguru reviwe, but ive yet to find anything in the UK, apart from the power supply, which I might buy.
They are useless. unless these reviews are made for chinese people.
Hello All,
Let me first say sorry to any of you who have searched for this (or any other ADATA product) and failed to find it in the UK.
Even though ADATA is on the go 10 years, we are relatively new to the UK and our distributor and e-tailer network for the Gaming and Enthusiast market is only now starting to take shape.
From next week, several of our XPG devices will be available on yoyotech.co.uk and later this month we will launch on amazon.co.uk. After that I am hopeful we will also add most of the other key UK e-tail sites within the next month or so.
Finally, and as an act of contrition, I am going to provide Kitguru with 5 kits of ADATA XPG memory (including the 12GB reviewed here) to give away to his loyal readers.
John.
No offence taken Quentin ( – ;
Believe it or not ADATA is the world’s #2 module maker, behind only Kingston. Our memory revenues last year were $1.4bn, which make us much bigger than OCZ, Corsair and Patriot combined.
That said I know exactly what you’re saying because regardless of our size, ADATA’s standing and awareness in the Gaming and Enthusiast market in the UK (and elsewhere in Europe) is sadly lacking right now.
However we are working hard on this and I expect you will begin to see a lot more of ADATA in the UK press, both in terms of reviews, general coverage, and as mentioned our the previous post – availability. We have some really good products coming out over the next few weeks including our new 6Gb/s SSD.
Give us a try!
John.
Ion Buster. You should have no concerns with us.
ADATA providers a lifetime warranty on all our memory products. If you ever have any issue you just return it to the authorised provider you purchased it from for a replacement.
John.