Introduction
We wrote some time ago when we first started to test DDR4 memory that it wouldn’t be long before DDR4 memory speeds would have a 1:1 speed ratio with the CPU. Well, it didn’t take long at all and we have seen these speeds for the last 12 months at least. It may be a throwback to the days of the Front Side Bus (FSB), but it was always a goal to have 1:1 CPU/memory speeds, however unachievable.
It’s usually forgotten until a Memory Kit turns up for testing that’s high in MHz like the Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz Kit. So, it’s not going to really make a difference, other than the fact that the memory has a high clock speed, but at least it has a little more bragging right than your average RAM.
The Ballistix Elite range is a bit special, being Ballistix fastest DDR4 offering, it’s also equipped with a different set of two-piece heat spreaders. Ballistix Elite is also only 4Gb modules at the 3200Mhz speed, so today’s reviews is a 16Gb Kit in Quad Channel setup.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Series | Ballistix Elite |
| Capacity | 16Gb |
| Number of DIMMs | (4 x 4GB) |
| DIMM Type | 512Meg x 64 Unbuffered NON-ECC |
| DIMM Colour | Black PCB |
| Speed | PC4-25600 3200Mhz |
| Timings | 16-18-18-36 |
| Voltage | 1.35V |
| XMP | 2.0 |
| Heatsink | Matt Black 2-Piece heat spreader |
| Warranty | Lifetime limited warranty |
A typical Ballistix DDR4 set of specifications. The timings are slightly looser than slower memory and the volts are at 1.35v to power the modules along. Not unusual for a high-end memory product though,and still within normal DDR4 parameters.
Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz Memory Kit Review
Package - 8
Performance - 7
Price - 8.5
Consumer Experience - 8
7.9
The main thing going for the Ballistix Elite kit is the price, it's at the lower end of the 3200Mhz DDR4 pricing, despite being at the sharper end when it comes to performance. We have scored it the highest on price in our memory review criteria. We think this memory kit would fly if it were a 32Gb kit, and at its low pricing, it's more achievable, though only if you have an Intel i7 LGA2011-V3 setup, or equivalent Quad Channel system. So it's cheap, not too bad looking and fast, you need to consider this memory kit for your next build.
