Introduction

Corsair is a well-known brand name in the United States and Europe and can be easily found in retail stores thanks to the identifiable yellow product boxes. The company has been well established in the computer market for a number of years now, offering gaming peripherals, flash drives, SSDs, AIOs, watercooling hardware, power supplies and entire pre-built computers. Of course, let's not forget about the highly successful memory division, which continually strives to offer the newest emerging technologies with the unmatched customer service Corsair is known for.

Corsair currently offers an assortment of memory products ranging from laptop DDR3 SODIMMs to PC enthusiast grade DDR5 memory. Using the well established DDR4 memory lines, Corsair brought forward both Vengeance and Dominator products, reusing the names and overall design language for the DDR5 iteration. Now, nearly two years after the launch of Intel's 12th Generation processors and DDR5 reaching consumer hands, the innovation continues with Non-Binary DRAM modules. These offer an increase in size compared to what is already available to consumers, offering 48 GB (2x 24 GB) and 96 GB (2x 48 GB) configurations.


In this review, we will be taking a closer look at Corsair newest take on the long-running Dominator series. Corsair Dominator Titanium is the next evolution of the product line, not only offering high-capacity configurations for both AMD and Intel systems, but also changing the way we think about RGB lighting. The Dominator series has been primarily marketed as a premium product, and the Dominator Titanium doesn't hold back either, with memory kits all the way up to 8000 MT/s. We will be testing this on both our AMD and Intel test systems to see how it compares to 32 GB memory kits. We'll give it a good overclocking session as well to find out if the Dominator Titanium series really lives up to the hype.

Specifications

Reviewer Note: It seems there is no good place to inform potential buyers that an OC DDR5-7400 profile is included with every memory kit. Though it is not guaranteed to work, it is a nice addition for those who want to perform minor system overclocking. Hassle free from BIOS deep diving into the DRAM settings, if you will.

Packaging

Corsair has provided one of the limited First Edition kits for review. While these are limited to only 500 per SKU, the standard version will be available in large production volume. That being said, it is unclear if the retail box will be the standard yellow or something unique like the Corsair Dominator Platinum boxes. Either way, it is assumed all the appropriate information will be on the box, like the type of memory, configuration, module density and binned frequency like before. Along with the iCUE software logo.


The First Edition comes with a few extra accessories, like a screwdriver and a different top for the heatspreaders. The standard version will only include the memory.

A Closer Look

The Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 kits are currently available in Matte Black and White for Intel, while Cool Grey is exclusive to AMD for the time being. Corsair Dominator series has always been a premium product that is comically oversized. This version is no different. The Dominator Titanium lineup takes inspiration from the Vengeance line and the Dominator Platinum series before it, giving it a unique design that is also aesthetically pleasing.


In the middle of the heatspreader is Corsair branding on each side.


The First Edition memory kits have all been numbered (1-500). Here we have #019. A nice little detail. Besides that marketing, everything else will be the same for the standard retail kit.


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 related timings. One thing Corsair does well is to include a revision number (5.53.13) on the sticker that quickly identifies which memory ICs are used. Corsair changes this number every time an internal revision is made.

V3.XX: Micron-based ICs
V4.XX: Samsung-based ICs
V5.XX: Hynix-based ICs


Laying the DIMMs on the side, we can see the word "Dominator" in bold. The entire plastic strip in the middle will be illuminated when the system is powered on, and can be configured within the Corsair iCUE software.



What may very well be the first of its kind for any system memory is the detachable RGB lighting that is reversible. You can use this memory without it or replace it with other accessories. The internal PCB can be removed as well, allowing for custom 3D printed tops (Base design files can be found on the Corsair website).



Included with the First Edition is a Corsair topper replacement, for lack of a better name. This Fin topper will be sold on the Corsair website and is currently the only option to use besides the included RGB topper. Removing the top is easy. After taking out two small screws, one from each side, the top is now detachable and ready for replacement.

There are no issues with the swap, however, the plastic shroud is required due to the screw length. Which means you cannot have the Fin top alone without using different screws. While not officially supported, a waterblock can be used in its place as well. Once again with the appropriate screws.


A quick test shows the Fin topper does, in fact, lower the overall PCB temperature by a few degrees. However, this is with an overvoltage of 1.5 V (DRAM) and a fan directly blowing on the memory during the stress test. Overall, this accessory isn't going to drastically change the overclocking results, as 3 °C isn't enough to make a big impact. It is true that every degree saved does increase the overall overclock potential, but that is more on the XOC side of overclocking.


The Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 kit weighs in at 76 grams on the scale. For Z-height, it comes in at 56 mm rounding down. Compared to the Dominator Platinum series, it has lost 8 grams in weight. Less heft due to the lighter heatspreaders.


On the topic of heatspreaders, taking these off wasn't difficult, but it is a step back from the Dominator Platinum series, which can be taken apart just after removing the screws. Here, a heatgun or hair dyer is needed to heat up the thermal strip glue before removal. Standard practice for every other memory kit and just takes patience.

With the heatspreader off, we can get a closer look. Corsair uses customized PCB for the RGB Vengeance and Dominator series, with changes to how the RGB LEDs are implemented. The Dominator Platinum has the RGB section on a detectable strip connected via ribbon cable. Here, the Dominator Titanium does away with a ribbon cable and the connector as part of the PCB. Making detaching and reconnecting much more reliable. Lastly, this Corsair kit does have a thermal pad for all the ICs and critical components. This is extra important due to the increased temperatures from the higher voltages accompanying increased memory frequencies.


A closer look at the ICs shows that these are SK Hynix (H5CGD8MGBD-X021). Which can be abbreviated to SK Hynix 3 GB M-Die, not to be confused with SK Hynix's first DDR5 M-Die (2 GB) in 2021. Up until the release of 3 GB ICs, the previous world record crown was held by SK Hynix A-Die (2 GB) and is still considered the "go to" for high frequency overclocks paired with lower primary timings.

Currently, Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are the three suppliers of DDR5 ICs. However, only Micron / Spectek and SK Hynix have released Non-binary 3 GB ICs to the consumer market. Both of which "perform" worse than their 2 GB counterparts due to different sub-timings. So far, Micron 3 GB ICs have shown to reach at least 7000 MT/s, while SK Hynix has seen up to 8200 MT/s in a retail kit so far.


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, as with DDR4. The PMIC has the part number "0P=AD 7G1" of which software reports Richtek being the manufacturer. Internet investigation provides no additional information.

Checking out iCUE Software

iCUE is Corsair central hub software, designed to connect and control everything Corsair branded in one place. While the RGB DRAM lighting control is only one part, any Corsair peripherals, such as headsets, keyboards, mice can be managed by iCUE as well. This integration of Corsair products makes it a must for installation due to the convenience of having a single program for everything Corsair related. Additionally, with the Corsair Commander hub, case fans can be synced and controlled by iCUE.


With the newest release, the iCUE software has received some new features and improved on older ones. For these Corsair Dominator Titanium memory kits, the ability to create user profiles is a new feature. Type in the values you want, and when in the motherboard BIOS, you can choose that memory profile just like you would for XMP. The only catch here is that the motherboard has to support it, and the test profile created does show up in the SPD flashing program but not in the ASUS Z790 Apex motherboard BIOS. This is because ASUS lacks support for user created profiles, as observed with other memory kits as well.