Someone recently asked in the forums if getting brand name RAM from Corsair, Kingston, Mushkin, Geil, etc. makes any difference compared to generic RAM at the same speeds. After the regulars took him out back and beat him, we explained that yes there is a HUGE difference. You can start with the simple things like better timings, reliability, performing at the rated speed, and better warranties. Then moving along you will generally have RAM that will perform *better* then the rated speed and timings, ie: Overclocked. This is even more true with the high end products such as PC3500, PC3700, PC4000 and faster.

We here at GruntvillE have reviewed RAM from two of the big names in memory in the past, high performance Corsair and the more stolid and stable Crucial. Today we are taking a look at another name, one that everyone knows and is probably the biggest provider of RAM in the business, Kingston Technologies. Kingston has long been known as a provider or good, solid RAM at good prices. They made their name providing RAM for just about every brand of computer back in the days when you pretty much had to buy the RAM from the company that made the computer. They then moved into the consumer end of the market with their line of ValuRAM which provided excellent value for solid and reliable performance. In this market their primary competitors are PNY, Crucial, and the ‘generic’ RAM providers.

In the last year Kingston has decided to attack the enthusiast market (that has long been dominated by the likes of Corsair, Mushkin, and Geil) with their HyperX line of high speed RAM. Today we are taking a look at the Kingston KHX4000K2/512, better known as HyperX PC4000 512mb Dual Channel Kit which consists of a matched pair of 256mb 184-pin 500mhz DIMM sticks.