Introduction

With the 3rd Generation Core i5/i7 CPUs finally launched, sitting on store shelves next to boards that support them, there's still one critical part missing from assembling a new system: supporting DDR3 memory. As always, G.SKILL has stepped up to the plate to offer compatible memory right from day one, and not just any memory either. We've got a whole new line-up, specifically engineered to help you get the most you can out of your new 3rd Generation Intel processor. Here's what G.SKILL has to say about themselves:

Established in 1989 by computer hardware enthusiasts, G.SKILL is a leading memory & Solid State Drive manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan. The company's top priority is quality. All of the products undergo a series of the most rigorous tests and strict quality control processes. In addition to a committed, qualified IC testing house to examine the products, all G.SKILL products are 100% tested to ensure the highest yield, reliability and quality.

I have covered many G.SKILL kits in the past including a 16 GB and a 32 GB kit, but those kits were quad-channel oriented kits and the new IvyBridge CPUs use dual channel, meaning we need some new memory...or do we? The kits I tested so far support a maximum of 2133 MHz with some overclocking to 2400 MHz; some pretty fast speeds. However, IvyBridge CPUs are something completely different from SandyBridge-E CPUs, offering even higher memory dividers than was possible with SB-E. Some boards out there even offer 2800 MHz and higher options in BIOS. The G.SKILL TridentX line-up covers that 2400-3200 MHz performance category with many different kits in varying capacities and speeds all wrapped in a new cooling design for 2012. Today, I have the F3-240010D-8GTX, a very affordable 2400 MHz starter kit with two 4 GB sticks.

Specifications