A Closer Look
The question has resurfaced with the i7/X58.is 6GB really better than 3GB, the same question we had with dual channel and 4GB vs 2GB. As before, Corsair has done the testing and published it on their website for everyone to see. The results are about the same, your system will perform better with more memory. Of course, with a triple channel system, you will need a 64-bit operating system to see the benefit, but it is there. Corsair’s 6GB vs 3GB gaming analysis is found here.
The Corsair Dominator GT DDR3-2000 has a very aggressive look to say the least. I really like the black/red motif, along with the look of the pin fins themselves. The heatspreaders utilize Corsair’s DHX (Dual-Path Heat Xchange) technology, which provides cooling not only to the memory chips, but also to the PCB, which normally gets little to no cooling.
Out of all of the memory chips that they receive for module manufacture, Corsair uses only the very best testing memory chips for their Dominator GT series modules. The modules are tested together as a trio, then are immediately packaged together so that you receive a kit that has actually been tested as a kit, rather than three tested modules picked out of a box for packaging. The kits are rigorously tested on a series of X58 motherboards.
The modules have been tested together and verified to run at DDR3-2000, with timings of 8-8-8-24, all at Intel’s required VDIMM of 1.65v. Intel highly recommends that memory voltage on X58 motherboards is not set higher than 1.65v to prevent damaging the i7’s onboard memory controller.
The pin fins provide superior cooling to the Dominator GT’s chips and PCBs. And face it, they just look wicked.
But, if the Dominator GT’s stock pin fin coolers just aren’t enough for you, Corsair builds some that are even more aggressive. They are available at Corsair’s online store for $24.95, and are available in red or black. Merely remove the set screws that hold the pin fin heatsink in place and replace it with the new ones.
Included with the kit is a Corsair Airflow Fan.
The Airflow Fan has a pair of 55mm fans to provide some serious active cooling to the memory modules. The case is made of heavy machined aluminum and looks just as aggressive as the memory modules it is cooling. Mounting hardware is included.
For those enthusiasts who desire to watercool their memory, Corsair has thought of you too. For basic watercooling the Dominator GT triple channel kit, Corsair has the Corsair Cooling Hydro H30 Water Cooling Block.
For the extreme enthusiast, Corsair has designed the world’s first sub-ambient memory cooling system, the Corsair CoolingT Ice T30 sub-ambient cooling subsystem for Dominator GT. It is a watercooled TEC cooler with humidity monitor circuit. It is capable of cooling a Dominator GT kit up to 20C below ambient temperature.
Both of these coolers are available at Corsair’s online store.
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