Initial Setup

My memory testbench now uses the ASUS Z87 Maximus VI Extreme motherboard with an Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell CPU. The same potential for memory-clearance issues with tall heatsinks still exist, of course, but the G.Skill TridentX 2933 MHz 8 GB kit is built with these problems in mind. With the aid of a properly-sized Phillips screwdriver, clearance issues can be avoided in almost all situations.


Like a mermaid come ashore, these TridentX sticks can shed their fins! Simply use that properly sized screwdriver to remove the screws on both ends and slide the red heatsink on top right off. It might be a good idea to put these back into the box in case you need them later! ;) Doing so reduces the height of the G.Skill TridentX 2933 MHz 8 GB sticks from 53.51mm to 39.56mm.


The option to remove the fins sets these sticks apart from other high-end enthusiast DIMMs as all of them nearly always have very large heatsinks. What amazes me more is that the heat is actually transferred from the main DIMM heatsink to the upper portion quite effectively. All those ridges and valleys that hold the fin in place also add surface area for the DIMM to transfer heat with; and the "Trident" reference alludes to the removable fin's shape, but that only becomes obvious if you directly look at the stick from one of two ends.