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Memory: PNY XLR8 MD8192KD3-1600-X9

Tom's Hardware's 2011 Gift Guide: Part 1, For System Builders
By

$44.99
www.pny.com

What if you don’t quite need the biting power of G.Skill’s Ripjaws Z-series (or, more relevantly, you only need a dual-channel memory kit for your Socket AM3-based build)? Alternatively, you could go the dual-channel route with a Core i5 or just about any of AMD’s latest APUs. After all, Llano-based APUs benefit considerably from improving memory performance, both in higher speed and lower latency. A dual-channel, 8 GB kit like this one from PNY should put a little more cheer in anyone’s holiday.

PNY definitely isn’t out to make any fashion statements here. The plain black, clipped-on heat spreader is merely adorned with a white PNY logo on one side and a stylized, handwritten-style “XLR8” on the other. These 1600 MT/s DDR3 modules feature a CAS 9 latency and a default voltage of 1.65 V. As is often the case with faster memory modules, some motherboards may only recognize the modules at 1333 MT/s, but this is quickly remedied with a manual override in the BIOS. Default timings are 9-9-9-24, but we’ve seen this accelerated into the range of 9-7-7-19.

As of this writing, PNY is still running a promotional deal with Sony: buy this XLR8 kit, and you’ll receive one free movie download. There are 35 titles to choose from, and you can install the movie with unlimited viewing on up to two PCs. Also, be aware that the $85 price still listed on PNY’s site is outdated. Newegg now has the kit at $45, and that still includes the movie offer.

Back in September, we awarded this XLR8 package our Tom’s Hardware Approved label and found it to be easily the best gaming value of any DDR3 kit tested in our round-up. Other kits may have been a bit faster, but with the lowest average Web price in the story, PNY emerged with the highest overall value.

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Top Comments
  • 36 Hide
    serhat359 , December 13, 2011 4:29 AM
    I feel sorry for those girls that they have to smile for the camera even though they have no idea what they are holding
  • 33 Hide
    wizloa , December 13, 2011 4:25 AM
    i clicked for the lady
  • 22 Hide
    HansVonOhain , December 13, 2011 4:34 AM
    Must... focus ... on ... computer parts...
Other Comments
  • 0 Hide
    gerohmygosh , December 13, 2011 4:13 AM
    Where is the girl for the PNY RAM?!?!?!
  • 33 Hide
    wizloa , December 13, 2011 4:25 AM
    i clicked for the lady
  • 6 Hide
    phamhlam , December 13, 2011 4:29 AM
    What is your favorite picture?

    Mine was the one with the 4 SSD.
    My floppy disk totally turned to a hard disk drive.

    I can't wait for part 2 already.
  • 36 Hide
    serhat359 , December 13, 2011 4:29 AM
    I feel sorry for those girls that they have to smile for the camera even though they have no idea what they are holding
  • 22 Hide
    HansVonOhain , December 13, 2011 4:34 AM
    Must... focus ... on ... computer parts...
  • -6 Hide
    phamhlam , December 13, 2011 4:37 AM
    What is hotter? The computer parts or the girl?
  • -7 Hide
    richboyliang , December 13, 2011 4:39 AM
    haha do these girls know what they're doing?
  • -6 Hide
    koolkat574 , December 13, 2011 4:45 AM
    richboylianghaha do these girls know what they're doing?


    Depends on if you use an aftermarket cooler or the stock one
  • -5 Hide
    manu 11 , December 13, 2011 4:54 AM
    For one second, my focus was deviated, back to pc!
  • 10 Hide
    lunyone , December 13, 2011 5:01 AM
    It looks like the Blonde model was having more fun, or is it just me. If I wasn't married, I'd take either! Forget the PC hardware, there are more important things to look at!!! Lol!
  • 11 Hide
    bcontoursvt , December 13, 2011 5:02 AM
    All these pages later and I still have no idea what the topic of the story was...
  • 21 Hide
    LuckyDucky7 , December 13, 2011 5:08 AM
    I don't get it.

    Why are some things suggested in this guide mostly the worst value you could get for that sum of cash?

    For starters:

    -MSI 990FX-GD80 wouldn't be my top pick. That would go to a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD(x) board. Why bother getting a board that's more expensive than the best processor for the platform (or one whose lower-end boards don't catch fire).

    -i7-3930K? Ivy's just around the corner and will run on 150 dollar boards that do more than X79 could think of.

    -Silverstone 1000W PSU? Seasonic's already got their X-1050, which has 80+ Platinum certification instead of gold for the same cost.

    Some things I guess I just don't understand, then. You list some parts that have really good value, such as that RAM and Powercolor graphics card along with the 955BE, and then go to the polar opposite. I don't see the reason for that.
  • 1 Hide
    manu 11 , December 13, 2011 5:44 AM
    I can ditch pc hardware if i can get a girl in those photos
  • 0 Hide
    kustiki321 , December 13, 2011 6:02 AM
    I'm sorry, was there supposed to be some sort of gift guide here? I know it's a tech site and I was expecting one but I can't seem to see what they're recommending.
  • 17 Hide
    mkrijt , December 13, 2011 7:03 AM
    The redhead doesn't seem to have fun....
  • -8 Hide
    cold fire , December 13, 2011 7:39 AM
    I'm having a hard time deciding whether I'd take all the hardware or all the girls. :$
  • -7 Hide
    tzhu07 , December 13, 2011 7:46 AM
    Those girls prove why Tom's Hardware will never be at the level of AnandTech...
  • 15 Hide
    Goldengoose , December 13, 2011 8:28 AM
    gazum123Get a life you freak

    Get a sense of humor you rude little man.
  • -4 Hide
    Anonymous , December 13, 2011 8:50 AM
    and not a single anti-static precaution taken... All those naked components... what a waste
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