Kingston HyperX Memory Review Discussion

[Jerry Jackson]

I just updated the review with some CPU-Z details as well as some additional tests running the W520 just on Intel integrated graphics (which shares the system memory) to highlight potential performance gains from the RAM upgrade.

[ModuleMOD]

I read your comment "we're not going to run this RAM through multiple overclocking applications to see how far we can push it.".
Can you explain what you meant ? Is there a way to push the RAM manually, on laptops ? If that is true then why do we need Kingston Plug-and-play in the first place.

[dsrini9000]

But at least we can finally get 8GB RAM stick for somewhat cheap!!!!!! $652 for 4x8GB vs. $2000 for a similar upgrade on a workstation is a GODSEND!!!!!

[Jerry Jackson]

Awesome!

So the Toshiba just ran the memory at 1066MHz, but it still showed a boost in performance. But what is more puzzling is that the Lenovo actually ran the memory at 1866Mhz compared to the original memory speed of 1066Mhz, but it LOST performance?

Only according to the synthetic benchmarks ... and then only when ignoring the lift that the Intel integrated graphics gets by having more (and faster) RAM. The 3DMark results when running just the Intel graphics shows the W520 is indeed getting a boost from the HyperX RAM, but the overall performance scores in PCMark and 3DMark (when using the Nvidia graphics) are technically showing a modest drop in performance.

This also points out why our editors and so many of our long-time forum members hate synthetic benchmarks. Synthetic benchmarks (such as PCMark and 3DMark) do a decent job of giving you a "quick and dirty" comparison of multiple PCs, but they don't necessarily reflect "real world" performance.

For example, I recently updated the Nvidia driver on my gaming PC at home and the 3DMark Vantage score dropped by almost 100 points but the in-game performance in Dragon Age 2 jumped by a huge amount (I got almost an extra 10 FPS for my average in-game frame rates from just the driver update). So, the synthetic benchmark says my system is worse but my in-game results show my system is better.

The simple fact is this, all things being equal, having more (and faster) RAM is a good thing in terms of system performance. However, you have to decide whether the improvement you see from a particular component is worth the price of that component to you.

For some people, such as those who use memory hungry applications, spending $120-$160 on 8GB RAM (or up to $320 for 16GB) is ABSOLUTELY a worthwhile upgrade. For people who just want an overall "performance boost" on their laptop, you could spend that much on a fast SSD and you'll likely get a more noticeable increase to performance.

[huberth]

This also points out why our editors and so many of our long-time forum members hate synthetic benchmarks. Synthetic benchmarks (such as PCMark and 3DMark) do a decent job of giving you a "quick and dirty" comparison of multiple PCs, but they don't necessarily reflect "real world" performance.

For example, I recently updated the Nvidia driver on my gaming PC at home and the 3DMark Vantage score dropped by almost 100 points but the in-game performance in Dragon Age 2 jumped by a huge amount (I got almost an extra 10 FPS for my average in-game frame rates from just the driver update. So, the synthetic benchmark says my system is worse but my in-game results show my system is better.

Thank you for your excellent reviews. I always check notebookreview.com before making a major purchase.

On the HyperX Memory - Perhaps a different benchmark test or application should have been chosen to show the benefits of faster memory? Example:
Kingston HyperX 8GB 1866MHz PnP Memory Kit For Notebooks - H.A.W.X. 2 Benchmark - Legit Reviews (but not comparing 6GB to 8GB, which skewed the results in their review)

[wditters]

Hi Jerry

I have a W520 i7-2920XM and chose these very same modules based on your review. You may however either have to reconsider this review, or to retest these configurations. The fact is that with these modules, in real life use, my W520 actually has become somewhat unreliable. Sometimes it boots with memory bleeps, sometimes it does not come back from standby.

On top of this, Kingston today formally told me that HyperX modules are not supported on notebooks, period. In short they will never guarantee proper and relable functionality when used in a notebook.

The way this review is presented, it could convince people to purchase these modules with the possibility of running into issues and not being supprted by Kingston. As a leading notebook review site you may want to dive into this a little bit deeper :-)

Cheers Willem

[huberth]

Hi Jerry
Kingston today formally told me that HyperX modules are not supported on notebooks, period. In short they will never guarantee proper and relable functionality when used in a notebook.

It would be good to know who at Kingston said "HyperX modules are not supported on notebooks"?

This is from kingston.com: "Kingston's HyperX® Plug-and-Play (PnP) is designed to improve the performance of your Sandy Bridge notebook or DIY system."
http://www.kingston.com/hyperx/pnp/default.asp
"The memory is programmed with faster frequencies and when 'plugged' into a system using the Sandy Bridge chipset, will automatically 'play' at either 1600MHz or 1866MHz in both desktop and notebook PCs." http://www.kingston.com/press/2011/memory/04a.asp

[wditters]

It would be good to know who at Kingston said "HyperX modules are not supported on notebooks"?

This is from kingston.com: "Kingston's HyperX® Plug-and-Play (PnP) is designed to improve the performance of your Sandy Bridge notebook or DIY system."
Kingston Technology Company - - Faster just got easier
"The memory is programmed with faster frequencies and when 'plugged' into a system using the Sandy Bridge chipset, will automatically 'play' at either 1600MHz or 1866MHz in both desktop and notebook PCs." Kingston Technology Company - Press Releases - Kingston Technology Launches HyperX Plug and Play High Performance Memory

Great find. The Kingston support rep flat out told me that if the memory configurator does not list it as an option (select Lenovo W520/4 and you will see it comes back with only Valueram) Kingston will neither support it nor take it back. It is basically your own risk if you decide to purchase HyperX for your notebook.

Having said that, my i7-2920xm is rocksolid with 16Gb worth of Elpida 1333Mhz. It is only when replacing the Elpida with HyperX that I start to get very odd behaviour. Not outright unreliable, but flaky nevertheless. I would like to know if there's anyone else out there with 4xHyperX at 1866Mhz that experiences memory bleeps at boot, or shutdowns after trying to power up by fingerprint

[huberth]

Perhaps running the Lenovo System Health and Diagnostics Test in "Stress" mode may give you more info ...
(I have the Kingston KHX1866C11S3P1K2/8G 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM HyperX Plug n Play Notebook Memory on order at Buy.com, but it is on backorder)

[wditters]

Perhaps running the Lenovo System Health and Diagnostics Test in "Stress" mode may give you more info ...
(I have the Kingston KHX1866C11S3P1K2/8G 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1866MHz Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM HyperX Plug n Play Notebook Memory on order at Buy.com, but it is on backorder)

Those are the exact same modules I have, albeit 8Gb instead of 16Gb. With 2x4Gb I did notably experience issues whith coming back from standby. System sprang to life again, but remained stuck at a black dimlit screen at least 4 or 5 consecutive times. Not very cool when one has documents open when going into standby.