Crucial Ballistix Tactical 32GB DDR4 4x 8GB DDR4-2666 Review


Today we are testing a brand new 32 GB DDR4-2666 Crucial Ballistix Tactical Kit on OCinside.de, consisting of four 8 GB DDR4 modules or two 16 GB DDR4 kits with two 8 GB modules each. The four DDR4 modules can be used optimally for both X99 systems in quad channel mode, as well as for Z170 PCs in dual channel mode. The Crucial Ballistix Tactical DDR4-2666 8 GB CL16 memory modules have XMP 2.0 profiles for easy load of higher rates and are equipped with heat spreader. We have overclocked the DDR4 modules again up to the limit with different voltages, this time with an Intel Core i5-6600K CPU on an ASRock Z170 OC Formula motherboard. Let us begin with the Crucial Ballistix Tactical DDR4 32 GB RAM review.
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_1

Thanks for the support …

Many thanks for the support with the four 8GB DDR4-2666 modules by the manufacturer Crucial.

We have tested 4x Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8 GB 288-pin DIMM DDR4-2666 BLT8G4D26AFTA (Quad Channel KitBLT4C8G4D26AFTA). At review date the RAM kit has a price of approx. 4x 60 Euro so altogether approx. 240 Euro.

Here you can buy Crucial DDR4 RAM *Ad

The supply of the four 8192MB PC4-21300 memory modules …

Crucial delivers this memory again in an exemplary blister packaging, which you can simply open and is still closed good enough for the supply or sale in the store. The plastic packaging can be opened easily by pressing the rear part backwards, to break the two break points and fold up the cover.

Here you can see the Crucial memory modules in the exemplary plastic packaging:
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_2

That is contained …

A separate DDR4 installation guide is not included, but inside of the rear cover are two small illustrations for the correct installation and a note to the Crucial website, where you can find a detailed installation guide and the current warranty information.

Here you can see the front of the four stylishly designed 8 GB DDR4 memory modules:
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_3

When you look on the memory modules from above you can see that the heat spreaders have been carefully and evenly affixed to the ICs and that the Crucial Tactical 8 GB DDR4 modules are equipped on both sides.
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_4

DDR4 vs DDR3 …

DDR4 offers speeds of 2133 to 4266 MT/s, DDR3 provides only 800 to 2133 MT/s. So, DDR4 achieved with DDR4-2133 a bandwidth of 17 GB/s contrary to DDR3-800 with 6.4 GB/s. Last but not least DDR4 modules have a higher capacity of currently up to 32 GB per DDR4 module (a 64GB DDR4 ECC Kit CT2K32G4LFQ4213 consisting of 2x 32GB DDR4 modules is available at Crucial) and that with lower DDR4 memory voltage of 1.20 Volt (1.05V – 1.35V) instead of 1.50V (1.35V – 1.65V) for DDR3 modules. Of course, that does not mean that all is gold that glitters. Because like often, many other factors such as for example the latency is also very important.

If the extra charge is a worthwhile investment, is now there, but the development continues and new platforms such as e.g. the Haswell-E processors requires DDR4 modules and Skylake processors support both DDR3 and DDR4 modules.
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_5

By the way, not only the number of pins, which have risen from 240-pin (DDR3) to 288-pin (DDR4). Also the DDR4 module design is new, because the bottom of the modules is no longer plane, but slightly flattened on both sides. In addition also the (voltage) notch is on another position, to avoid that one is accidentally installing DDR4 modules in a DDR3 socket or DDR3 modules in a DDR4 slot. DDR3 and DDR4 modules are not pin-compatible!

Here you can see the difference between the upper DDR4 module and DDR3 module (bottom):
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_6

We have the four Crucial DDR4 memory modules not installed in quad channel mode, but this time on a Z170 motherboard in dual channel mode. We have also tested two modules in an ASRock H170 Combo motherboard, that supports DDR3 and DDR4 modules:
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_7

All modules have been recognized with the proper size in the UEFI and work in dual channel mode:
crucial_ballistix_tactical_4x8gb_ddr4_2666_8

We explain why only DDR4-2400 are shown, and how to adjust the modules to be recognized as DDR4-2666, directly after to the technical data on the page with the characteristics and features.

Crucial Ballistix Tactical 32GB DDR4 Kit 4x 8GB DDR4-2666 technical data …