Memory kits are sold every day in various shapes, sizes, speeds and timings. There is a general rule of thumb; more is better than faster. It was not long ago when 1GB of RAM for Windows XP was the considered adequate. Vista doubled that, although many were using 4GB of RAM by that point with widespread acceptance of the 64-bit operating system. Windows 7 being a refresh of Vista, it was generally accepted that 4 GB was enough although 8 GB is becoming the norm for enthusiasts. This is not due to the Operating system itself, but the evolution of applications, specifically gaming systems that are requiring more and more memory to run both system and video wise.
The next step is obviously 8GB modules or “sticks.” There are two methods to doing this, using 8Gb ICs which are very new, or using double sided modules with ICs on both sides of the PCB. This allows a company to use 4Gb ICs which are more mature and invariable have greater speed and timings capabilities. Both ICs are being produced no in DDR3L platforms as well (1.35v JEDEC standard).
Making the move to 8 GB modules should mean having to run slower speeds, higher timings and higher voltage. A simple check on Newegg for dual channel 16 GB memory kits, brings this point home. Most kits running at 1866 will be running 10 CAS or higher and still require 1.6+ volts to do so. Crucial the consumer arm of the world renowned chip maker Micron, held up their hands and said “Enough! Let the people have their cake AND eat it too!” So it was written so shall it be done. Letting loose the newest member of the Ballistix Family, the Elite.
Today we have on the bench the 16 GB Crucial Ballistix Elite. A dual channel memory kit comprised of two 8 GB sticks of RAM running at the blistering speed of 1866 MHz effective with flat timings of 9-9-9 all at only 1.5 volts! Surely these sticks must be highly binned to get such speed and timings at such low volts. Before I need to get a tissue, lets cover Crucial as a whole and get to some hardware pr0n.
Crucial.com. The Memory Experts.
At Crucial.com, we know memory. We research it. Test it. Stock it. And we’ll even replace it. We’re among the first ones to get a new platform, OS, motherboard, or killer game and we waste no time putting it to the test. We sit in dark rooms reading benchmark scores. We spend hours installing and uninstalling memory modules into motherboard after motherboard… We don’t get tired. We never cut corners. We break our backs to get your upgrade out the door in a flash. And we support our products—and customers—every step of the way.
Crucial.com has been serving its customers for nearly 15 years. And we use our expertise to make it easy for our customers to find the right upgrade. Our award-winning online applications—the Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool and the Crucial System Scanner—take the guesswork out of giving new life to your computer with a memory upgrade. We proudly offer a 45-day money-back guarantee that our memory will be compatible with your system, when you purchase on crucial.com using one of our compatibility tools.
The ‘about us’ goes on to give numbers and say how totally awesome they are. With good reason. Crucial has been making some heady stuff for a long time now. Enough chit chat…
1 Comment
Nice review
You got some nice memory there. Not all can make 2133 9-9-9 with ~1.65V or less.
It’s really good looking RAM and is also quite cheap.