Mushkin Blackline 12GB Kit Review

Introduction

It's been some time since we first heard of the possibility of 4GB density sticks which would enable us to run 12GB triple channel, or indeed 8GB dual channel. Finally we could potentially take advantage of populating our boards with the 24GB they state they can handle.

Without question this is a huge leap forwards. Memory is one of those things that it's almost impossible to have too much of. Anyone who has spent ages running with a cheap 1GB setup will immediately be stunned at how much better a 2 or even 4GB upgrade is. 

As X58 boards are triple channel most people run 6GB. Plenty for the average user but if you work at all with images you'll find the resolution available with modern cameras can quickly eat that all away if you load more than a couple in Photoshop or similar. The results are just that way with video editing too.

In short when it comes to RAM, the more the merrier. Like anyone we're huge fans of technology here at OC3D and so were gagging to test a kit and see if the latest models can be all that we come to expect from 6GB kits, but in high-density form.

Mushkin might not be as well known in the UK as they are in the US, but they have a reputation for producing high quality products. They kindly sent us a 12GB kit from their Blackline series, so let's take a look.

Technical Specifications

So far, so fairly average. 1600MHz is a nice surprise to find at this early stage of the technology, especially when it's paired to CAS9. Not bad for such a huge module size and hopefully indicative that this isn't an "early adopter" type kit, but actually one that delivers good performance too.

Let's get a closer look shall we.