Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 2GB Memory Kit Review

[Capper]

I've retested, and reposted an early DDR3 memory kit review for those interested. As we've moved from P35 to X38, and finally to X48, the performance has changed, and in some cases dramatically.

I've also retested all the kits with our new benchmarks, and retaken the pictures....enjoy

Crucial is a name well known to every enthusiast or system builder that looks for the very best products when piecing together a system. As a subdivision of memory giant Micron Technologies, Crucial is always at the forefront of new technology and high performance memory. Not sure what kit you need? No worrries, Crucial's interactive website includes a system scanner and memory recommendation tool Offering memory kits for every possible customer, from budget desktop to enthusiast super systems to flash memory, Crucial offers a kit for every conceivable scenario.

Crucial Ballistix PC3-12800 2GB Memory Kit Review

[screwballl]

good stuff.... good to see that memory bought for a first gen DDR3 board is now showing gains on newer chipsets

[Stormcrow]

Mmm...micron-licious.

[Capper]

Yeah, I tested that kit originally with a couple P35 boards....and the performance was good, but not great.....when the X38 came out, i retested them....better, but still not what i expected from a Crucial kit. Moving to the X48 boards I've been testing the last couple of weeks, and without much tinkering, this kit ran exceptionally.

[RA1D]

very nice kit, great article, excellent pics!

[screwballl]

So then that leaves the opinion that if you want full performance from your memory, get an X48 board. For a budget setup, run with the P35 or X38 and middle of the road memory.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by screwballl

So then that leaves the opinion that if you want full performance from your memory, get an X48 board. For a budget setup, run with the P35 or X38 and middle of the road memory.

I'd say thats a reasonable statement.

I've seen some reviews with people pushing their memory to the 2000MHz mark on P35 or X38 boards, but on some I have to question their testing and stability, on others I know they have loosened up the secondary latencies so much, and pushed so many volts through the kits that its not worth it.

I look at the X48 chipset as nothing really more than X38.2, they are almost identical, with just a few little tweaks and the same ICH9 SB. Having said that, they do seem to scale much better when it comes to the FSB and overclocking, on average 120-150MHz when using the same memory at the same settings.

[Yellowhello]

Wow, that is some serious performance! I simply cannot wait until DDR3 comes down in price! A new X48 board wouldn't hurt either...

[RA1D]

my testing of the Striker II Extreme 790i Ultra shows excellent memory bandwidth results

(but definitley not a budget board)

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by RAID

my testing of the Striker II Extreme 790i Ultra shows excellent memory bandwidth results

(but definitley not a budget board)

This is very good to know. Was wondering how the 790i would stack up versus an x48 where DDR3 memory performance was concerned.