KHX21C11T3K2/16X Conclusion

Kingston has provided a pretty good looking RAM kit in the KHX21C11T3K2/16X 16GB DDR3-2133MHz Dual-Channel Kit. The KHX21C11T3K2/16X performs very well, outpacing each and every other slower kit in every test, just like it should. The performance increase is pretty standard, and nothing too outstanding, but it shows that the HyperX Beast 2133MHz kit is stable and solid under a wide variety of situations. The kit is perfectly clocked for the AMD A10-6800K. The AMD Richland APUs also offer more in the way of specific performance enhancing coding for RAM speeds up to 2133MHz. That’s good news, considering RAM speeds have typically not translated well into real-world performance increases. Throughout my testing, I’ve shown that this is still the case, although the performance increase may be somewhat more significant than with previous chipsets. Over the next few paragraphs I’ll be giving my justifications for the ratings I’ll be giving at the end of the page. Keep in mind that these are my opinions based on my hands on experience with the KHX21C11T3K2/16X.

The Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/16X is a great performer. Not only did it outperform each of the slower kits, like it should have, but I used an 8GB kit of the same HyperX Beast series to test against a faster 2400MHz RAM kit in another review and it beat out the faster kit in several of the tests. The 2133MHz KHX21C11T3K2/16X kit is a full 60% faster than the 1333MHz kit that we used at the bottom of the spectrum. That 60% increase in speed actually only translated into between 10 and 20% actual performance increase in the tests. With RAM, you certainly never expect a 1:1 ratio, but the performance increase here only makes sense if the price is right.

The Kingston HyperX Beast series of RAM Kits looks really good. It’s not too flashy, but it looks mean, like the angry jaws of a beast getting ready to clamp shut. It’s a good look to add to a mean-looking system, especially with a little interior lighting to show it off. Kingston even added to the appeal by using a black PCB for the new editions of the HyperX Beast series modules.

Kingston is one of the top names in RAM and they have a reputation to uphold with their modules. Because of that, I wouldn’t expect anything less than an extremely high quality of construction. The heat shroud on the KHX21C11T3K2/16X is durable and sturdy and it is well attached to the PCB. The PCB for the new HyperX Beast modules is now black, but the level of construction hasn’t changed.

The Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/16X functioned stably at its rated 2133MHz. It also functioned perfectly well at slower speeds including 1333MHz, 1600MHz, and 1866MHz and I was able to reduce the timings accordingly as well. The KHX21C11T3K2/16X increased in speed up to 2400MHz at CL 12 timings, and up to 2600MHz at CL 13 timings. Overall, the KHX21C11T3K2/16X is a very functional memory kit.

Available online for $147.99 (Newegg | Amazon), the Kingston KHX21C11T3K2/16X memory is at the top of the crowd in terms of pricing for 16GB 2133MHz dual-channel kits. Considering the performance and the quality behind these DIMMs, the price could be right. Since the performance is right on track with where it should be for a 2133MHz module, the price doesn’t buy you anything really special, though.

Pros:

+ Good-looking modules
+ Very Stable Performance
+ Overclocked easily to 2600MHz

Cons:

– Pricey Kit

Ratings:

• Performance: 9.00
• Appearance: 9.50
• Construction: 9.00
• Functionality: 9.00
• Value: 7.50

Final Score: 8.8 out of 10.

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: How much are willing to pay for a faster RAM kit?