Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 2GB DDR3 Kit
Packaging & Appearance
Published: 24th January 2008 | Source: Crucial | Price: £154 |
Packaging
One thing I've always commented on in previous memory reviews from most other manufacturers is the over-use of the clear plastic blister style packaging. Not only does this method of packaging provide very little protection for the modules during shipping, but it also raises concerns regarding ESD damage. As we've seen in previous reviews, Crucial have always put protection before appearance - and it doesn't look like anything has changed with their DDR3 kits either...
Consisting of a single walled plain cardboard box sealed with a large Crucial sticker, the outer packaging of the Ballistix kit gives no indication as to what modules are contained within. However, on opening the box we can see that Crucial have individually sealed the modules in their own anti-static bags - each complete with their own barcode labels. This could possibly signify that the boxing of the modules is performed at the final stage of the picking process when you order a kit directly from Crucial's website.
Appearance
The Ballistix DDR2 kits have always been instantly recognisable by their trademark Gold painted Aluminium heatspreaders and Black PCB's (with the exception of the "Ballistix Tracer" series). However, many manufacturers have changed the look of their DDR3 modules to help distinguish them from their elder DDR2 counterparts. Have Crucial followed suit? Let's find out...
At a glance, the Ballistix PC3-12800 DDR3 kit looks almost identical to its DDR2 predecessors. However, on closer inspection we can see that Crucial have removed the clips at the top of the heatspreaders, thus relying entirely on sticky pads to keep everything in place. Other small changes include the addition of "DDR3" text below the Ballistix logo, and a slight change to the Crucial logo at the left of the modules. Overall, not much of a noteworthy change in all honesty.
Removal of the heatspreaders certainly isn't for the faint of heart, and actually required the use of a blowtorch to heat the adhesive thermal pads up to a point where they could be removed without pulling the memory IC's off with them. Interestingly, Crucial have decided to print over the Micron logo and IC serial numbers with a large Ballistix logo. This prevented us from obtaining a definite identificaiton of the IC's modules, but an educated guess would be that Crucial have used the highly overclockable D9GTR IC's.
Most Recent Comments
nice review 
its worth noting that crucial's DDR2 kits now come with the same style heatspreader, no clips and only stuck on (requiring blow torch to remove)
i've got the 8500DDR2 ballistix kit and they look identical to these except for the DDR3 bit on the logo
also the 8500 review cannot be found on the front page under memory
its worth noting that crucial's DDR2 kits now come with the same style heatspreader, no clips and only stuck on (requiring blow torch to remove)
i've got the 8500DDR2 ballistix kit and they look identical to these except for the DDR3 bit on the logo
also the 8500 review cannot be found on the front page under memory
Im slowly becoming a crucial fan i think... These look well good.
Fantastic write up jimbo
Fantastic write up jimbo
£154, it`s certainly getting there. Still £300 for 4g.
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Originally Posted by name='SuB'
also the 8500 review cannot be found on the front page under memory |
where abouts did you find it for £154? i can only find it for £272 in komplett? and £284.34 in crucial :/
When you say other PC12800 kits have nearly hit 2000mhz.. Which one was that??
I remember the Patriot PC15000 getting very close.
I remember the Patriot PC15000 getting very close.
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Originally Posted by name='Bungral'
When you say other PC12800 kits have nearly hit 2000mhz.. Which one was that??
I remember the Patriot PC15000 getting very close. |
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/memory/patriot_pvs32g1866llk_viper_series_pc3-15000_2gb/3
they look nice, i've had crucial before, and they've always performed well
Sweet sticks, good price. Really good price! Step away from the bank card...
Wow, Price is coming down!
Nice review Jimbo!
Nice review Jimbo!
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
Exactly, the Patriot came within 14mhz (FSB-wise) of it:
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/memory/patriot_pvs32g1866llk_viper_series_pc3-15000_2gb/3 |
Anyway didn't have time to say nice review earlier as I was running out the door back to work but yeah nice and detailed as always
.. Seems a sound piece of kit and prices also seem to be coming down.Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Bungral'
Yeah but you say other 12800 kits.. The Patriot is 15000.. Clock speed 1866MHz at stock so is gonna get closer to the 2000Mhz than then 12800 kits starting at 1600Mhz...
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DDR3-1946
- close enough for a DDR3-1600 kit? Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
My bad. I actually meant this one: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/memory/ocz_platinum_pc3-12800_ddr3-1600_ddr3_2gb_kit/3
DDR3-1946 - close enough for a DDR3-1600 kit? |
I had an inkling about an OCZ DDR3 review but couldn't remember what speed it was or what it hit overclocked..
Wasn't having a go or anything but was just curious which kit hit so close to 2000mhz from 1600mhz
anyone any ideas on where to get the product for the price listed in the review?
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Originally Posted by name='cybermaniac'
anyone any ideas on where to get the product for the price listed in the review?
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='cybermaniac'
anyone any ideas on where to get the product for the price listed in the review?
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Edit: Going on what Jim just said.. Found it: http://www.shop.bt.com/productview.a...150,4294953324
Thats 1gb though not a pair.
found the 8500 review on the memory section lol, didn't realise the adverts were only at half the page lol. deceptive that is, makes you think thats the bottom (thus the page change and loss of review)
hehe cheers anyway loving my crucial ram, just wish i had to time to tweak it all up
hehe cheers anyway
loving my crucial ram, just wish i had to time to tweak it all up Iirc BT shop and Dabs are one and the same.
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Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 DDR3 Review