A Closer Look

The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB modules are available in white and matte black. Having both variations for sale means Corsair can support different type of computer builds. The overall appearance is a copy of the previous generations DDR4 memory, which isn't a bad thing. You may have heard the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." in the United States. Corsair has no reason to change it, because it is perfectly fine the way it is.


Corsair has placed the Dominator Platinum RGB name in the center of each DIMMs sides. This text is in white, designed to be in direct contrast to the matte-black aluminium heatspreader.


On one side of each DIMM module is the identification sticker listing the SKU, rated XMP operating frequency, corresponding voltage of 1.40, and XMP timings. One thing Corsair does well is to include a revision number that quickly identifies which memory ICs are used. Corsair changes this number every time an internal revision is made. So far, this has held true and is appreciated among those looking for specific ICs or matching model.


Laying the DIMMs on the side, you can see "Dominator" written in white lettering in the center. This is illuminated with the RGB LEDs as well and can be configured to match the rest (default setting) or separately in the iCUE software.


The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 kit weighs in at 86 grams on my scale. For Z-height, it is 56 mm rounding up with my calipers.


After taking the heatspreader apart, we can see how Corsair assembled the Dominator Platinum RGB kit. System memory has multiple levels of aesthetics. Some of which has purpose, but can also be barebones without a heatspreader and still function at the JEDEC specifications. Here though, Corsair has taken a more novel approach that combines together both aesthetics and functionality. The Corsair Dominator Platinum uses large heatspreaders that have full contact with all the ICs and critical components. This is extra important for higher memory frequencies and accompanying voltage. Corsair also has a unique way to tackle RGB implementation as well. These are attached via ribbon cable and are not soldered to the PCB. It is quite unusual and unexpected to see if you are unfamiliar with Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB internal design.


Getting a closer look at both sides with the heatspreader off we can see that these are single-sided DIMMs with eight 2 GB ICs. This is as expected for a DDR5 32 GB kit since densities have increased with DDR5. The thermal pad covers all the memory ICs and PMIC. It seems Corsair is taking no chances and placed thermal pads on the PCB as well for maximum thermal dissipation.


A closer look at the ICs shows that these are SK Hynix (H5CG48MEBDX014J). Currently, Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are the three suppliers of DDR5 ICs. As the months have passed by, SK Hynix M-Die has emerged as the current leader for low-latency DDR5 kits. For the time being, M-Die is the IC you want if you plan to heavily overclock memory.


With DDR5, one of the major changes is how the motherboard directly provides 5 V to the memory module's PMIC, which is then stepped down and split accordingly. No longer is the motherboard responsible for regulating the voltages seen with DDR4. The PMIC has part number "0D=9B", which comes up as Richtek for the manufacturer.