Prolog
Interesting product today – the Crucial® Ballistix® Tactical Tracer
The main attraction of them is that they are the only memory modules that have programmable controlled LED activity and patterns via their proprietary software. On top they also have temperature monitoring.
Very nice.
Made by Crucial
Crucial is a global brand of Micron Technology, Inc., one of the largest memory and flash storage manufacturers in the world also ranked among the Top 5 Semiconductor producing companies in the world.
They make computer memory upgrades (DRAM) and solid state drives (SSDs), and offer more than 250,000 upgrades for over 50,000 systems.
Price when reviewed – 107 $ – Via Amazon.com (these are the Blue and Orange LED combo)
Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL8 @1.5V UDIMM 240-Pin BLT2CP4G3D1608DT2TX
They are also in Red and Green Combo
Specifications
What we have here is a PC3-12800C8 1600MHz 8GB DDR3 kit (BLTCP4G3D1608DT2TXOBCEU) that comprises of 2x 4GB modules with an eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) timing of 8-8-8-24 at 1.5v and features Orange and Blue LEDs.
Like we mentioned the modules also feature a temperature probe that allows for monitoring via the Crucial MOD software that allows a large degree of control over the LEDs, but more on this later.
- 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
Installation
Testing
Hardware:
Processor: Intel i7 2700k @ stock settings
CPU cooler: Thermalright AXP-100R
CPU Fan: Noiseblocker 120 MM NB-eLOOP B12-P PWM
Case Fans: 2x BitFenix Specter 120 MM
Motherboard: MSI B75IA-E33 mITX
2.5″ HDD: HSGT 1 TB 7200 Rpm 32 MB
Video card: MSI GTX 760 OC 4 GB Twin Frozr
SFX PSU: Silverstone SX-600G
Software:
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
AIDA64
3DMark
Crucial MOD Utility
Crysis 3 – 30 minute gameplay session
Stock they boot at 1333 MHz, but a quick bios selection with the XMP profile they are running at the published specs of 1600 MHz CL8 latency and at 1.5v.
Results
At 1333 MHz
At 1600 MHz
Just with the XMP profile set we see a 3-5 % increase in overall scoring.
After a stress test and a Crysis III 30 minute gameplay session the temperatures were mild warm(ish).
In idle they stay at 31-33 degrees Celsius.
Excellent results.
Let’s present Crucial’s MOD Utilitty – download here
It shows basic specs, the live temperature monitor and the lights patterns and control.
Eye Candy
And finally lets get to the main attraction with the activity LEDs.
You have 4 patterns: Stereo / Inside Out / Lava / Streamer
Then you can adjust the brightness intensity and select Orange or Blue LEDs.
All of this settings are individual and you can combine them for each module.
This clip shows a few combinations of the above.
And because our case has perforated panels, this is what we get at night, a really nice light show.
Conclusion
Very appealing kit, they have good performance, black PCB (in all of the green of today), cool temperatures and of course they have maximum eye candy. You can find them in 4, 8 or 16 GB kits at 1600/1866 MHz.
They are very well made, the 16 GB kits are a bit expensive but since they are the only memory modules like this, we think they are worth it. You can combine them with the Red and Green kits and everyday is Christmas.
Not much more to say that if you want something that performs, looks good and are unique then Crucial’s Ballistix Tactial Tracers series are the obvious choice.
Globetrotters Award – 4.5 out of 5
