Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 8GB Review
Overview
Crucial Ballistix Tracer memory modules have been seen before, although these only appeared to be sold in the UK for a short while. What we have here is the latest version of the Tracer modules the Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracers. The Tactical Tracer dual channel kits are available in both 8GB and 4GB versions and each kit supports a specific LED colour set, either Orange and Blue or Red and Green.
|
|
What we have here is a PC3-12800C8 1600MHz 8GB DDR3 kit (BLTCP4G3D1608DT2TXOBCEU) that comprises of x2 4GB modules with an eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) timing of 8-8-8-24 at 1.5v and features Orange and Blue LEDs. At the time of writing the kit has a street price of approximately £50.
The modules also feature a temperature probe that allows for monitoring via the Crucial MOD software, this MOD software also allows a large degree of control over the LEDs, but more on this later.
The memory came well packaged in a sealed plastic wallet. Again I must note my dislike for this style of packaging as it’s somewhat difficult to get into, and once you’re in (via the use of sharp objects) the packaging has been rendered useless.
And no the packaging did not feature Corsair’s rather nifty peel off back panel that I missed last time…
Specifications/Features
courtesy of Overclockers UK
- Black PCB
- Black high performance CAMO ALU heatspreaders
- Ultimate performance memory
- Activity LED’s (ORANGE & BLUE)
- Temperature Probe
- Crucial MOD software compatible
- Each two module set is tested at 1600MHz
- Tactical heat spreader for performance
- Packaged together immediately following system test
- Tested together at 1600MHz, Vdimm = 1.50V, at latency settings of 8-8-8-24 on Intel DDR3-based motherboards
- SPD programmed at: JEDEC standard 9-9-9-24 values at 1333MHz
- XMP 8-8-8-24 values at 1600MHz, 1.50V
- 8192 Megabytes of DDR3 memory
- Two matched 4GB modules
- 100% tested at 1600MHz in Intel based motherboards
- Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP)
- Lifetime Warranty
- Sandybridge compatible
- Bulldozer compatible
* Additional details available here
First Impressions
The Tactical Tracer modules feature a black and grey camouflage styled heat spreader that is somewhat dull to look at (as in the photos!) as the material used has a mottled effect. This gives the RAM a purposeful military style, that I rather like. They are also quite short at (31mm (although not as short at the Corsair Vengenace LP RAM)) which means that you shouldn’t have too many issues fitting them under the larger CPU Coolers that we have today.
The memory timing is good at 1600MHz (8-8-8-24), although the memory is not going to set any speed records! And the Sandybridge friendly voltage (1.5v) is a welcome sight too. Each module also features a temperature probe, although I am unsure as to whether any of us really need to monitor RAM temperatures!?
Of course the standout feature of the Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracers is the fact that the RAM houses 18 LEDs that can be programmed via the Crucial MOD software (this is not supplied!? But can be found here). Each RAM module house’s 10 Activity LEDs at the top and another 8 (4 per side) Running LEDs that can be found at the base. These two sets of LEDs can be controlled individually, with control over pattern, brightness and colour (Blue or Orange).
So they look good in the flesh, but there’s no doubt they are going to look far better when they’re on…
Hardware Installation
Installing the RAM into my rig was easy enough and I didn’t run into any issues with RAM height although as you can see from the picture below it was close. There was approximately 2mm of clearance between the RAM and my ZALMAN CNPS11X Extreme CPU Cooler.
Once into the BIOS a quick check showed that the memory had been configured with its default speed and timing (1066MHz @ 9-9-9-24).
 eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) Disabled |
 XMP Disabled = Default Timings |
