I would have to disagree about your test methodology -- if you're getting no heat, it means you probably aren't putting it under load. If you run it through memtest86, it WILL heat up and run hot after a while.MikeMurphy wrote: ↑I run an open bench and over the years have touched the RAM dimms to check for heat. Even without a heatspreader there is no heat. None. Even the DDR2 at 1.8v didn't get warm.
The only benefit of a heat spreader is you're less likely to fry your DIMM with static when installing. That's all.
However, in the "average" case, you probably don't need heat spreaders. Good to have (added insurance), likely will extend the life of the product of the bit, but probably only necessary in situations where you're constantly running loads which stress the RAM, OCing, or running a machine 24/7. If you're in the case where you needed them but didn't have them, you'll probably start getting more and more errors before hardware failure.
Considering they might be moving to DDR4 soon? Not really. If it's a good deal, go for it, otherwise not really a big diff.