The new memory system DDR3-1600 of
Crucial is very interesting because of two reasons. On one side, those are
system memories that have low configuration. On the other hand, they satisfy
the standard requirements of DDR3L. However, are they really valuable for those
who love overclocking?
The introduction of recently reviews on
types of memory for technology fans almost always make us note that DDRS SDRA
are in extremely disastrous period. The prices on their products are irregularly
instable (Despite tending to go up in January, they could not change that fact
at large). Additionally, the whole computing industry is struggling with the
depression by cutting off its sale volumes. However, end-users should feel
relaxed when development researchers always have to carry the burdens of
creating extraordinary and orientating products to attract customers for living
on such a competitive technology market. That is also the reason why we can see
numbers of memory modules which are distinguished not only by the colors of
their heatsinks.
The
new memory system DDR3-1600 of Crucial is very interesting
There are two traditional ways to upgrade the
memory modules and turn them into more attractive products. The first way is to
enhance their specification standards, for example clock rate and timings – the
parameter that determines the speed of RAM. The second way is to improve the
appearance designs by equipping the memory greatly and outstandingly with the
coolers and kinds of indicators. However, overestimating its operating ability
is absolutely impossible. For example, the memory module has reached its
limited speed. The clock rate on DDR3-2400 and DDR3-2666 has no practical
meaning if they do not match with today CPU’s memory controllers. Decreasing
timings parameter also has no effect on its practical performance. In terms of
appearances, the probability of selling products with beautiful designs in
large quantities is kind of impossible, either. Not many people are willing to spend
their pockets for the exterior design of an inside components for their
computers, and it is even harder to persuade users to quickly leave their
favorite brands to which they have been so loyal.
However, producers have found the third way
to make the situation better. That has been proved through Crucial, a daughter
firm of Micron Technology, the producer being famous for their memory chips. Crucial
concentrates on the convenience and power saving instead of the way of
increasing clock rate and exterior designs. The result of this solution is
clearly showed through low-profile modules of Ballistix Tactical and Ballistic
Sport Series. They have no highlight considering the speed aspect, but are
guaranteed to be supported by any computer configuration, regardless of what
kind of CPU cooler that you have. Besides, these memory modules always satisfy
DDR3L’s required standards, which is equivalent to reducing the voltage.
Both of these two characteristics are able
to attract technology enthusiasts. The characteristic of reducing default
voltage revealing the high ability of overclocking, whereas the compact
appearance is also a huge advantage for ones that have to confront with the
problem of too heavy and large CPU cooler, the component whose heat pipes
always tend to block the DIMM slots of the mainboard. It is just in theory, but
what is about in practice? We can check it out when Crucial launched two 16 GB
memory modules using dual-channel technology among their low-profile series.
Testing participants
Crucial
Ballistix Tactical LP DDR3-1600 2x8GB (BLT2K8G3D1608ET3LX0)
Most of the system memories for current
technology fans of Crucial are preferred on the market thanks to Ballistix
brand. For instance, products with exceptional features like high speed and
great cooler. The coolers are various because of their forms and appearances,
and there are 3 types now, Sport, Elite and Tactical. Sport series aims to have
a simple configuration. Tactical series targets the XMP support and Elite
series is equipped with DDR3 SDRAM, notably high speed, an enormous heatsink
and temperature monitoring. Tactical modules also owns Tracer version with LEDs
indicators of activity.
Recently, these terms are being expanded so
Sport and Tactical modules have already had low configuration. Crucial is eager
to show that such accompanied components which are smaller than standard at least
15% and can still be used in configurations with hard-to-access DIMM. The
practical problem is that this kind of product has been introduced on the
market long ago, but we have not seen any appearance of product which has low
configuration with a friendly heatsink for overclocking fans. That is the
reason why Crucial Ballistix Tactical LP is considered as the original one.
Its blister wrap design looks just like the
designs for standard DDR3 modules. Therefore, you can easily recognize how slim
Ballistix Tactical LP really is.
Crucial
Ballistix Tactical LP memory
Low-profile modules have funny look cooler
when being observed closely. Even though their thermal pads are few millimeters
above the PCB, their maximum heights are just 26mm. Thus, they are even shorter
than the original cooler as well as DIMM slots, which have special heights of
30mm. Obviously, Ballistix Tactical LP will be much more supportive comparing
to other system memories equipped with other coolers for technology
enthusiasts.
Images
when installing
Crucial tried to give prior to these
modules in order to make them more special than other products that have been
familiar to overclocking fans on the market. Ballistix Tactical LP features
eye-catching appearance and efficient cooler, including chips and are fastened
by heat-conductive dual-sided adhesive tape. Top-perforated aluminum bars help
improving the transpiration and are considered as aesthetic elements. Their
appearance is highlighted by yellow plastic stickers that go along the
heatsinks and the system memory name in the front. Of course, these heatsinks
cannot compete with modules that have the standard size cooler, but Ballistix
Tactical LP does not produce much heat in practice.
Outside
design
Why? Because this system memory always
complies with the DDR3L standards which ensure the power consumption and heat
dissipation by the method of reducing voltage 10% (to 1.35 V). Crucial also
noted that this kind of memory module can also work with the standard voltage
of 1.5 V.
It should be
noted that although Ballistix Tactical LP DDR3-1600 is preferred on the market
as a friendly product for overclocking fans, it does not have anything except
in the aspect of speed. 1600 MHz is just a little faster than the current
standard memory and the interference in timing parameter cannot change that
fact either. However, the producer implies that a better feature of this
product will be revealed in a practical test.
You can usually receive good definitions
about that feature by checking out this module’s components. The heatsink of
Ballistix Tactical LP is covered by a black PCB layer, which looks very
austere, with chips from Micron, Crucial’s parent company.
The
inside design
Unfortunately, these chips are rebranded
with Ballistix’s logo and do not reveal any information about the product.
The two XMP configurations help containing
much more data. One configuration refers to 1.35 C and the other refers to 1.5
V. The memory speed parameter is identical for both cases. This shows this kind
of memory module is indifferent towards voltage. That is a good signal for
overclocking. You do not have to worry about the consequences of increasing
voltage too high above the default.
Ballistix
Tactical LP specifications
Crucial offer a warranty for the whole
lifetime of the memory modules for technology enthusiasts. All of them are
tested before being launched. Besides, the compatibility is ensured by the
testing process of each new module with almost every different mainboard.
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Official
specifications
·
Dual-channel memory kit consisting of two
memory modules, each is 8 GB
·
Nominal frequency: 1600MHz
·
Timing parameter: 8-8-8-24-2T
·
Supports XMP
·
Voltage: 1.35 V or 1.5 V
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