Conclusion:
If you are looking to overclock your system without the guess work that might usually accompany the process, something like the
Patriot Memory Viper II Sector 7 1800MHz 6GB DDR3 kit would be a good choice. With an XMP profile included for 1800MHz operation, it takes just a few clicks in the BIOS in order to be up and running faster than a more typical kit.
Even though this kit is technically overclocked from the factory, there is still room to spare if you want to squeeze even more speed out of it. While maintaining the stock timings (9-9-9-27 1T) and voltage (1.65V), our sample kit was able to climb to 1920MHz. Not a huge boost considering we started at 1800MHz, but an impressive total speed. If you were willing to relax the timings I am confident that the kit would climb even higher.
Shopping around finds this memory kit for sale at places like
Newegg.com for just under $190. Compared to other 6GB DDR3 kits rated for 1800MHz or higher, that price is rather competitive.
In the review, the kit was matched up in terms of performance against a lower latency 1600MHz kit which didn't get beat by much in most benchmarks. If you decided to purchase a 1600MHz kit and try your hand at overclocking, it is possible you could get the same performance results while saving a decent amount of cash. As a point of reference, Patriot offers a
6GB 1600MHz (9-9-9-24 1T) kit for just $142.99 after rebate, as well as
a 6GB 2000MHz (9-9-9-27 1T) kit for $199.99.
Considering just how easy it was to get the system up and running with the memory at 1800MHz, the Patriot Memory Viper II Sector 7 1800MHz 6GB DDR3 kit earns the Bigbruin.com "Recommended" award.
Pros:
» Respectable performance
» Easily up and running at 1800MHz 9-9-9-27 1T thanks to XMP profile
» Overclocked to 1920MHz 9-9-9-27 1T with minimal effort
» Competitively priced with other 1800MHz+ 6GB kits
» Lifetime warranty
Cons:
» Didn't perform all that much better than a 1600MHz 8-8-8-24 6GB kit
» Could pay less for a 1600MHz kit and try your hand at overclocking
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comments or questions.
