Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 2GB DDR3 Kit
Test Setup, Settings & Overclocking
Published: 24th January 2008 | Source: Crucial | Price: £154 |
Test Setup
With DDR3 speeds ramping up on an almost weekly basis, It's extremely difficult to obtain two or more memory kits with similar specifications to perform any kind of worthwhile comparison. Therefore, the Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 kit will be reviewed as a standalone product using the hardware specified below.
Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 | ||
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 "G0" 2.4GHz 2x4MB | |
| Motherboard | Asus P5K3 Deluxe | |
| Graphics Card | Sapphire Ultimate X1950 Pro 256mb PCI-E | |
| Hard Disk | Hitachi Deskstar 80GB 7K80 SATA2 7200RPM 8mb | |
| CPU Cooling | Stock Intel Aluminium Cooler | |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (Latest Updates) | |
| Graphics Drivers | ATI Catalyst 7.4.44981 | |
| Motherboard Drivers | Intel INF 8.300.1013 | |
To guarantee a broad range of results, the following benchmark utilities will be used:
Settings & Overclocking
As with all memory reviews on Overclock3D the Ballistix PC3-12800 modules were subjected to a series of benchmark tests under several different configurations. The configurations used tested the memory's ability to run at high frequencies with stock timings, high frequencies with loosened timings and also ensured that that the modules could run with 100% stability at their advertised speed, latency and voltage settings.
Synthetic Memory Subsystem
• Sisoft Sandra XII 2008c
• Lavalys Everest 4.0
File Compression & Encoding
• 7-Zip File Compression
• River Past ViMark
3D / Rendering Benchmarks
• Cinebench 10
• 3DMark05
• 3DMark06
3D Games
• Quake 4
• Bioshock
• F.E.A.R
• Sisoft Sandra XII 2008c
• Lavalys Everest 4.0
File Compression & Encoding
• 7-Zip File Compression
• River Past ViMark
3D / Rendering Benchmarks
• Cinebench 10
• 3DMark05
• 3DMark06
3D Games
• Quake 4
• Bioshock
• F.E.A.R
Settings & Overclocking
As with all memory reviews on Overclock3D the Ballistix PC3-12800 modules were subjected to a series of benchmark tests under several different configurations. The configurations used tested the memory's ability to run at high frequencies with stock timings, high frequencies with loosened timings and also ensured that that the modules could run with 100% stability at their advertised speed, latency and voltage settings.
Stock Frequency & Latency
DDR3-1600 / 8-8-8-24 /1.8v
Crucial have always been a "safe-bet" when it comes to modules that work flawlessly out of the box and the Ballistix PC2-12800 kit is certainly no different. Even with a fairly low stock voltage of 1.8v, the kit managed to pass several hours of Prime95 stress testing at 8-8-8-24 timings on our Asus P5K3 test bed. This is very good news for those of us who are looking for a DDR3 memory kit that can installed and forgotten about, but the Ballistix range is all about overclocking! So let's get down to the nitty gritty and see what this kit is capable of...
Stock Frequency @ Lowest Latency
DDR3-1600 / 6-6-6-12 / 2.1v
Bumping the voltage up to 2.1v allowed for some serious tightening of the timings on the Ballistix kit. Both the CAS# Latency, Delay and RAS# Precharge effortlessly came down by 2 clocks, with the Cycle Time also accommodating a considerable reduction down to 12 clocks. This is actually the tightest timings we've managed to obtain from any DDR3 kit tested on Overclock3D so far (Previous kits have only managed 6-7-7-12), and certainly goes to show that the Ballistix kit has been given quite conservative stock timings.
Maximum Frequency @ Stock Timings
DDR3-1820 / 8-8-8-24 / 2.1v
With most of the other DDR3 modules we've tested recently hitting close to DDR3-2000 I was certainly expecting something very similar from the Ballistix kit. However, after several hours of tweaking, trying the memory in different slots and applying extra cooling to the modules, the highest overclock I was able to obtain at the 8-8-8-24 stock timings was DDR3-1820. This certainly isn't anything to be sniffed at; as it's still a good 110mhz increase from the stock 800mhz speed, but unfortunately it falls just a little short of some of the other DDR3 kits tested on Overclock3D recently.
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.
Quote:
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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!
Quote:
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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