At PAX Prime last year, I got to see the HyperX Predator RGB DDR4 for the first time and see HyperX’s Infrared Sync Technology work with my own eyes. It was impressive to say the least, having an infrared beam keep RGB modules perfectly in sync with each other and the rep proved it by placing a piece of paper between the modules and watching them slowly get out of whack and sync out immediately when the paper was removed. I’ve been waiting to see this technology make its way to other items in HyperX’s lineup and I got my wish with a new DDR4 Module: The HyperX Fury RGB memory module.
Specifications
- MSRP: $106 (2x 8GB @ 3200Mhz)
- XMP Ready: Yes
- Speeds: 2400, 2666, 3000, 3200, 34666
- CAS Latencies: 15, 16
- Voltages: 1.2V, 1.35V
- Capacities: 8GB, 16GB Modules
- Kit Capacities: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
- Single Modules: Yes
- Dual Channel Kits: Yes
- Quad Channel kits: Yes
- PCB Color: Black
- Heat Spreader Colors: Black
- Height: 41.24mm
- Lifetime Warranty
- Compatible with ASRock, ASUS Aura, Gigabyte RGB Fusion and MSI Mystic Light Sync
- HyperX Infrared Sync Technology Enabled
- Illumination: RGB
- Software Control: Motherboard or HyperX Ngenuity
Test System: AMD Ryzen 3700x, Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro Wifi, RTX 2080Ti FE, Kingston KC2000 NVMe, Variable RAM.
Aside from being a premier name in gaming and manufacturing some really great PC parts the big selling point for HyperX’s RGB memory is the Infrared Sync Tech. Built into each module is a small infrared sensor that sends and receives RGB information to neighboring modules, constantly ensuring that they stay synced with one another. The result is a perfectly choreographed light show that’s only improved since the Predator RGB lineup splashed onto the scenes last year. BTNHD at CES last year had a great video showing the tech at work on the Predator line, you can watch it below.
A main issue I had with the Predator line up has been solved by the release of the Fury RGB modules as well. Last year the only way to control the lighting on the RAM was via motherboard software. While this was fine if you happened to have a motherboard with decent RGB software - it left you extremely wanting when you downright hated the RGB solution for your motherboard manufacturer. The Fury RGB is compatible with HyperX’s Ngenuity software - the same software you use for their keyboards, mice, and RGB headsets. Here is an example of RGB lighting at work. I’d like to note that while you can see some of the lighting zones in the video it’s due to the camera settings. They are not visible to the naked eye in normal circumstances
Testing
Testing RAM is always an interesting affair as not a lot exists to test just the ram outside of traditional read/write operation. Most the other programs rely on the CPU in some way or another so the scores can be affected by that as well. Luckily, since we are testing on an AMD system, that works in our favor a little bit as Ryzen responds favorably to better RAM and frequencies than Intel chips do. For the testing here at MMORPG.com we utilize PCMark, AIDA64, and SuperPI for RAM Testing.
)
Up first is trusty AIDA64, which measures the memory speeds and latencies. The Fury RGB and Predator RGB kits share the same faster CAS Latency compared to the other kits, which is reflected by their similar (and better) scores. You can see this reflected in the score of the G.Skill Trident Z which shares the same frequency but has a slower latency, which resulted in a slightly worse score. Their scores are nearly identical - something we’ll see in common as we go through our testing - which means the choice between the two is going to come down to mostly aesthetics.
)
PCMark isn’t a test a lot of people consider when it comes to RAM but it can be a great indicator since it tests the entire system, in particular, the ability to perform lower-intensity tasks. These are the everyday tasks most people take for granted and don’t give much thought to - browsing the web, opening documents and spreadsheets, etc. These processes are typically affected more by RAM speeds than capacities as we can see reflected in scores.
)
The last test is a fun one - SuperPI. SuperPI tests how fast the system can calculate the digits of PI, up to 32 million places for MMORPG.com, and since you need a place to rapidly store that information as the CPU crunches numbers your RAM is going to play a part in the overall ability to do so in a timely manner. Between kits we are only talking a matter of seconds here, however, it does illustrate a tangible difference between modules.
)
Predator RGB (left) compared to Fury RGB (right)
Final Thoughts
HyperX new Fury RGB is a solid kit that falls right in line with last years Predator line up, assuming you’re grabbing the same frequency. So how do you make the decision between the two? It’s going to come down to two things: Ngenuity software and aesthetics. The Fury RGB diffuser bars are a little wider than Predator and I feel like they glow a little brighter in a side by side comparison as a result. I definitely like the look a little better and if I had 32GB of Fury I would probably make the switch. What I really loved about the Fury RGB DDR4 is the ability to use the Ngenuity software to manage lighting over motherboard software - to me, that’s the main selling point for this particular RAM kit. As to whether the RGB premium juice is worth the squeeze? For me, the answer is always yes (pretty lights!) but that’s not a question I can answer for you. I love the kit, I love looking at it, and I’m pleased with the performance.
Pros
- Can control RGB with Ngenuity Software
- Can easily use faster XMP Profiles with little tweaking
- Infrared Sync Technology is a cool feature
Cons
- More expensive than other DDR4 kits
- Limited supported XMP profiles
The product discussed in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
