[section_title title=Test Setup & Overclocking]
Testing Setup & Overclocking
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K @4.5GHz
- Motherboard: Asus Z87 Gryphon
- PSU:Â EVGA NEX650 G1 650w
- OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Methodology:
When we test our RAM samples, we first do all of the benchmarks at stock speeds and timings. We then swiftly move on to seeing how far they can be pushed. We also see how much the RAM can tighten its timings with the stock voltage and speeds to see if there is any additional performance to be gained via that method.
Overclocking
If we refresh back to the HyperX Fury 1866MHz kit that Gavin reviewed not so long ago, the overclocking potential was very high and that particular kit delivered immensely in this department. I really had the same anticipation and high hopes for the Savage kit as not only is the name as aggressive, but the overall look is similar.
I tried for an overclock; going for a slightly increased overclock of 2666MHz with 1.65 (stock for the rated speeds of 2400MHz) but the kit wouldn’t even post past the BIOS. I tried both sticks individually but I still managed to get no joy which was highly disappointing to me; not like HyperX memory at all! I even tried to tighten the timings to CL10 but even so there was no movement to be had. Just to make sure my motherboard DIMM slots or CPU didn’t have a problem, I tried Gavin’s method of putting the HyperX Fury back into the system and managed to achieve a 2400MHz overclock. Which could, and I use that term lightly, mean it’s the memory controller on the CPU or just the RAM after all.
Overall the Savage kits will, of course, all be different but both kits we had on test today gave us no overclocking headroom or yielded any improvement with voltage increase which is a little disappointing but certainly not worthy of deterring ones purchase. XMP 2400 is still excellent.
Benchmarks:
- AIDA64
- MaxxMem
