The Ballistix Elite DDR4 series have black heatspreaders

Jan 28, 2015 10:57 GMT  ·  By

DDR4 overclocking records are all well and good, but they can't be achieved on just any memory module. While most buyers may be satisfied with standard or factory OC states, overclockers need modules capable of sustaining higher transfer speeds.

DDR4 memory is rated for 2,133 MHz, but there are quite a few modules and kits that go above that mark. 2,666 MHz seems to be particularly popular.

However, that is one of the steps released by the DRAM specification inventors as one natural performance point, so calling it a factory overclock is not correct.

However, Crucial has released a line of memory clocked at precisely that speed: the Ballistix Elite DDR4 line. Its reasoning is that owners will want to manually play with the clocks themselves.

For those who prefer other terms, it's equally correct to say that the modules have starting speeds of 2,666 MT/s (megatransfers per second), enabling a bandwidth of 21 GB/s.

The Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 line

It is designed and optimized for the latest Intel X99 chipset-based motherboards. Not that many other mainboards can support it anyway, since other chipsets only have DDR3 compatibility.

They support XMP 2.0 profiles and the exclusive Ballistix Memory Overview Display (M.O.D.), which lets owners read information about temperatures, voltages and more. The memory modules actually have integrated temperature sensors, so the readings come in real time.

There are 4 GB and 8 GB versions of the modules, sold individually or in kits of 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB.

Later this year, in the second half, Crucial might unveil 16 GB modules as well, since though even that is not the top capacity for DDR4 DIMMs. All the while, power efficiency is much higher than on DDR3 products, by around 40% or so.

As for cooling, Crucial went with heatspreaders that are as black as the PCBs themselves. They aren't too tall, but they will do the job. Of course, if you want to go overboard, you'll need to take them off and use liquid nitrogen instead, or liquid helium, to keep heat in check.

Availability

Shipments should start immediately through Crucial.com and select global partners, but don't expect the Ballistix Elite DDR4 to be cheap.

"Ballistix Elite DDR4 introduces a striking new look for us while reducing the memory bottleneck further by delivering faster speeds and bandwidths, improved responsiveness, and enabling increased frame rates," said Jeremy Mortenson, product marketing manager, Crucial. "Couple all those benefits with the latest X99-based platforms from Intel, and you get one unreal gaming experience."

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