Packaging and Specifications

For this review, we received the 16GB (4 x 4GB) kit of HyperX Predator DDR4 2666MHz memory modules (HX426C13PB2K4/16) for use with an Intel X99 system. They arrived packaged in minimal plastic casing sandwiched between two pieces of acoustic foam for padding, along with a small “Kingston HyperX case” badge.

The modules were assembled in Taiwan but likely originated from Kingston’s headquarters in Fountain Valley, California. According to early reviews, some of the company’s pre-production HyperX Predator DDR4 samples operated at 1.5 volts, but they have since lowered the voltage to 1.35v over the past two years. As far as circuitry is concerned, these modules use SK Hynix ICs and feature two hand-tuned XMP profiles – one at DDR4 2400MHz and one at DDR4 2666MHz.

According to HW-DB.com, the modules use single-sided Hynix H5AN4G8NMFR memory chips in 4Gbit density.

We decided to go with a 4 x 4GB memory kit in order to leverage the full performance of our EVGA X99 Classified motherboard’s memory bandwidth, though we weren’t convinced that 4 x 8GB (32GB) configuration was necessary for the majority of our workload situations. This PC is usually run for office productivity applications and occasional gaming, not for enterprise database workloads, video editing, or large file transfers that require extra memory capacity.

The main difference between Kingston’s HyperX Savage and HyperX Predator line are the heatsink layouts, with the former being offered in a low-profile design while the latter features taller fins and more room for heat dissipation. The DDR4 Predator kit features the same design used in the DDR3 lineup, so it appears the company is confident that this is a reliable design that improves thermal performance and complements the designs of the latest PC hardware. Whether there is actually a thermal difference between the two designs is perhaps negligible, but the price difference between the two kits is about $10 USD. Amazon.com sells the 16GB Savage kit for $142, while HardDiskDirect.com sells the 16GB Predator kit for $153.