Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz Review (Ballistix Elite)

Today we head back into the world of high-performance DDR4 with a set of modules which are aimed at Z170 or X99 users for Intel. With speeds in excess of 3000MHz and easy setup they should be ideal for the average user as well as enthusiasts so let’s get started with our Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz Review!

Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz Review – The modules

As is always the case Crucial go with a fairly standard set of packaging on this version of the Ballistix series. We get an information label on the front and suspended inside are four modules (or two depending on your kit of choice). A cardboard sleeve gives us some key info on the back and as long as the sticks arrive in a nice protective packet, like this, then really memory doesn’t need anything else. We’ve yet to see any modules packaged in this way arrive damaged.

This set of sticks use a black PCB and attached to it are chunky black heatsinks with Ballistix Elite branding. Attached to each is a part number sticker which also includes speed and timings as well as voltage. For those specifications, it is 4GB per stick (XMP is supported) and the profile provided sets the memory at 3200MHz with 16-18-18-36 @ 1.35v. Warranty length is “lifetime”.

Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz Review – Performance

Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz Review – Conclusion

Memory sticks are memory sticks, right? Well, yes and no. Certainly it must be pretty hard to make a bad one, at least for the major manufacturers, so it should be no surprise that these modules from Crucial are good quality. They go with a stylish black PCB where others might go with a generic green and the heatsinks used here are nice and chunky with a textured finish. The chips themselves are of course Micron branded, part of the Crucial/Lexar/Micron group and that is one of the things that separates these modules from the rest. Experience tells us that these will be stable, long lasting and highly compatible modules.

On the performance front, no complaints. These modules exceed the performance of DDR4-3000 sticks without issue and have only a minimal change in temperature while running at the higher MHz. Timings are decent and when we took a look at overclocking potential we found that at stock timings they would hit DDR4-3400 and 3600 with some minor tweaks to timing at 1.4v.

Summary

Reviewer

Stuart Davidson

Review Date

2016-09-06

Reviewed Item

Crucial DDR4 3200 MHz

Author Rating

5