Ballistix memory has always been
quick, but now Crucial makes these modules big too
This is going to sound oddly extravagant
coming from me, but if you're going to buy some RAM, then get some decent
stuff. The price of memory is frankly silly these days, so the difference
between some stock speed economy sticks and a couple of beauties like these
Ballistix Sport modules isn't that great.
Yes, these are more than $150, but you do
get 16GB of RAM in just two sticks. That allows you to max out (32GB) most
four-slot motherboards for a little over $330, if they can accept these lovely
8GB modules.
That's an important point, because many
older boards won't accept 8GB sticks, so it's worth checking yours does before
making a purchase.
Yes,
these are more than $150, but you do get 16GB of RAM in just two sticks.
I'm not going to debate here if putting
more than 4GB of RAM in a Windows PC makes any big difference. The general view
is that is that it doesn't, but that's more down to how badly Microsoft
designed memory management in its operating systems, rather than a hardware
limitation. However, you must be running a 64-bit version of Windows to access
16GB, because with the exception of Windows Server, none of the 32-bit desktop
OSs can see more than 3.5GB.
Other than size, what else do these
Ballistix Sport offer? They have stylish blue heat spreaders, though these do
make the modules at least 45mm high. That size could be an issue for those with
challenging CPU cooler clearance, being far from 'low profile'.
The other key feature, and it's why they
get the Ballistix moniker, is the speed rating of the DDR3 used on them. While
1866MH2 at 10-10-10- 30 timings isn't amazing, it's sufficient headroom to allow
for some overclocking of a 1600MHz front side bus.
A quick peek at the SPD table reveals that
these modules have one of the most extensive collections of settings and
timings I've seen in a stick yet. There are no less than 14 modes, seven JEDEC
and seven XMR.
They
have stylish blue heat spreaders, though these do make the modules at least
45mm high.
These two sets are almost identical until
the top two of each series, where XMR gets two 933MHz options with either CL 10
or 11, and JEDEC offers 939MHz at CL 10 or 1033MHz at CL 11.
That's actually faster than the PC3-14900
spec - a demonstration of the confidence that Crucial has in its product.
For those who can't overclock their memory
or don't have a 1866MHz or 2066MHz BIOS option, Crucial does make this kit at
DDR3- 1600 with marginally faster timings for almost the same price. And, it
also does the same design and speed rating in an 8GB kit (2x4GB modules) for
just $98,99.
High-specification
DDR3 modules for those who like big memory
Though early overclocking reports aren't
that encouraging, if I was going to buy a new Intel Haswell chip, then some
Ballistix Sport modules would be a suitable side order for that main course.
High-specification DDR3 modules for those
who like big memory
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Details
·
Price: $170
·
Manufacturer: Crucial
·
Website: www.crucial.com
·
Required spec: System that accepts two DDR3
8GB modules Part number: BLS2C8G3D18ADS3CEU
Key Features
·
Module Size: 16GB kit (8GBx2)
·
Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
·
Specs: DDR3 PC3-14900,
·
DDR3-1866
·
Timings: 10-10-10-30
·
Memory: Unbuffered,
·
NON-ECC
·
Voltage: 1.5V
·
Layout: 1024MB x 64
Ratings
·
Overall: 7
·
Quality: 8
·
Value: 7
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