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

Packaging

Once again, I got a package from G.SKILL's Taiwan office, and I was blown away by the packaging when I opened it. There is no doubt that these sticks are something different with the bright red of the sticks and its packaging grabbing my attention right away. Flipping the box over, I found very little on the back other than a model number and the statement "Ultimate Memory for 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors and Z77 platform". Impressive. I really like how G.SKILL's packaging lets you see the sticks through the clamshell's plastic front, leaving no question as to what you are buying.


Opening the clamshell left the sticks sitting in the plastic, waiting to be put into our new Intel Z77 Express motherboards. I also found a red G.SKILL case badge inside the clamshell, and that's all. There's a bare minimum of packaging and, with stuff like this, there's no need for much more than what we got.