Closer Look: Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/16X

Kingston has a couple of different series within their HyperX brand of DRAM, and the Beast series certainly stands out in terms of look and feel. The RAM actually looks like some sort of beast through the shape and layout of the plastic heat shroud. It looks like a set of gnarly teeth, with sharp fangs for tearing apart a victim. I’d say the look definitely fits the name. In fact, it looks even better now that the newer version has a black PCB to match the shroud.

As is apparently becoming more popular, Kingston offers relatively easy opening on their packaging. I’m used to nearly impenetrable packing, but the last two kits I’ve seen are much easier. I have to say that the ADATA packaging was easier to get into than Kingston’s, but the KHX21C11T3K2/16X was pretty easy to open. Just cut through the red tape and peel the clear plastic cover from the black plastic backing. The package is re-sealable, so you put the RAM back in if you need to, or you’ll at least have some place to put your old RAM.

The Kingston HyperX Beast line of DRAM kits is pretty robust. You can find HyperX Beast kits from 8GB to 64GB in dual or quad-channel kits. As for RAM speeds, the HyperX Beast kits start off at 1600MHz and run up to 2400MHz, a relatively thin line. Even so, the standard JEDEC timing parameters for the KHX21C11T3K2/16X are set at 1333MHz and CL9-9-9 at 1.5V. For the rated 2133MHz, you’ll need CL11-12-11 at 1.6V.

The KHX21C11T3K2/16X actually isn’t terribly large. With the shroud, the DRAM module measures 1.827” tall and 0.338” thick. Of course, even under 2”, it probably won’t fit well under a heatsink. Luckily, the DIMM slots on my test bench are far enough out of the way that it doesn’t matter. I have worked with some boards that don’t work out well with shrouded RAM.

Kingston touts excellent thermal dissipation on the HyperX Beast series, which is good, but probably not terribly necessary considering the low heat put out by memory modules. But the Kingston HyperX Beast isn’t made for just any user. It is made for those that are going to push it beyond normal parameters. The KHX21C11T3K2/16X operates between 0 and 85 degrees Celsius. It will go higher, but you’ll add about 50% or so to the average refresh period.

The Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/16X offers a wide range of features like programmable additive latency and CAS write latency. It also has an internal self calibration mechanism as well as on-die termination, meaning lower noise on the signal. Maximum operating power per module is 2.46W.