Crucial's 16GB Ballistix Tactical has a nice surprise

Subject: Memory | November 30, 2012 - 02:04 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: crucial, Ballistix Tactical, 16GB, ddr3-1600

It is a nice change when a company understates the performance of their product instead of barely living up to their promises.  Such is the case with the dual channel Crucal Ballistix Tactical 1600MHz kit, at least the one that Funky Kit benchmarked.  They hit 2133MHz and kept the timings at 9-9-9-24 1T, not bad for DIMMs which are billed for 8-8-8-24 1T@ 1600MHz!  Even better these DIMMs are very low profile, so even on boards with the DIMM slots clustered around the CPU socket you won't be limited in your choice of oversized CPU coolers.  The full review is available here.

"This has been some fun memory to play with, it's ability to hit clocks 50% higher than stock is impressive. It's ability to hit 2133MHz with 9-9-9 timings at only 1.5v is quite impressive."

Here are some more Memory articles from around the web:

Memory

• GSkill Ripjaws Z 1866MHz 32GB Kit review @ Pro-Clockers
• Avexir Core 1600MHz 8GB Kit Review @ Pro-Clockers
• GeIL EVO Leggera PC3-14900 16GB Dual Channel @ Tweaktown
• GeIL EVO VELOCE PC3-17000 16GB Dual Channel @ Tweaktown
• Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 2400MHz 8GB Memory Kit @ eTeknix
• AVEXIR AVD3S16001108G-2J 8GBx2 1600MHz Apple Memory Kit Presentation@ Madshrimps

Compact racer, the 256GB mSATA SSD from Crucial

Subject: Storage | August 15, 2012 - 02:21 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: msata, crucial, Crucial m4

mSATA drives are for far more than just Intel's Rapid Storage Technology to give a platter based drive a performance boost.  At 256GB the Crucial M4 mSATA drive is large enough to run a system off of, tiny enough that it could fit into any system and at $220 it is affordable as well.  If you are looking to build a fast HTPC or simply have a motherboard with an mSATA port you want to fill then you should check out Funky Kit's review.

"We've just published a review on the Crucial M4 mSATA 256GB SSD. We've seen a lot of mSATA SSDs in the past, but sadly they've out of reach to a lot of consumers. But fear not ... Crucial is now making their mSATA SSDs mainstream and widely available. We take a closer look at their M4 mSATA 256GB SSD."

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• OCZ Agility 4 Solid State Drives: 128 GB and 256 GB Models @ X-bit Labs
• OCZ Agility 4 256 GB @ techPowerUp
• Crucial 256GB v4 SATA II Solid State Drive @ Pro-Clockers
• Kingston V200 Review - 128GB @ HCW
• ADATA XPG SX300 128GB mSATA @ Kitguru
• Corsair Force GS 240GB @ Tweaktown
• OCZ Technology Agility 4 256GB @ Tweaktown
• MyDigitalSSD BP3 256GB mSATA SSD Revisited - 3.2 Firmware Update @ Tweaktown
• The Intel SSD 910 @ AnandTech
• Micron RealSSD P400E Five Drive JBOD Enterprise Report @ Tweaktown
• Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 2TB @ Hardware.Info
• Western Digital 1TB WD RE4 Enterprise Hard Drive Review @ PCSTATS
• SI 9207-8i Mustang RAID Controller Host Bus Adapter @ Tweaktown
• RAIDON Hybrid Runner iH2420-2S-S2 Review @ NikKTech
• Akitio NT2U3 USB 3.0 Dual Bay RAID Enclosure Review @ NikKTech
• Patriot Gauntlet Node Wireless Enclosure Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Migrating From One QNAP NAS to Another @ CoD
• StarTech.com InfoSafe SATA HDD Enclosure @ XSReviews

Crucial Launches Three New Ballistix DDR3 Module Series

Subject: Memory | January 9, 2012 - 09:00 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: ram, memory, ddr3, crucial, ballistix

Crucial, a company most well known for their RAM modules, today announced three new series of Ballistix DDR3 RAM modules. The RAM is available in low latency modules based on Micron's 4 Gb chips, and runs at either 1600 MHz and 1866 MHz. The three new series are called Ballistix Sport, Ballistix Tactical, and Ballistix Elite.

The Ballistix Sport modules are the low end modules of the three new series and are designed for mainstream users and a gamers on a budget. They are available in single, dual, and triple channel matched kits. The single modules are available in a DDR2 module running at 800 MHz, DDR3 stick running at 1333 MHz, or DDR3 DIMMs running at 1600 MHz. The DDR2 DIMM need 1.8 volts and delivers a CAS latency of 5-5-5-15 while the DDR3 DIMMs need 1.5 volts and have a CAS latency of 9-9-9-24. The dual and triple channel kits have the same specifications as the single module DDR3 RAM, though obviously they come with multiple matches DIMMs in one package.

Ballistix Tactical brings up the middle ground in the new lineup, and are comprised of DDR3 DIMMs only. The single DIMMs are available in 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB capacities. They need 1.5 volts, run at 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz, and have a CAS latency of 7-7-7-24 or 8-8-8-24. Like the other kits, they come in single, dual, and triple channel kits. The Dual channel kits come in 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB capacities and the triple channel kits come in 6 GB and 12 GB capacities. Other than the additional sticks of RAM, they run at the same voltages and CAS latencies.

Last up is the top tier of the three new Ballistix series, dubbed the Ballistix Elite. These modules are designed for high performance gaming and memory intensive tasks. They have the most flair as well, with tall aluminum heat spreaders. The Ballistix DIMMs come in single, double, and triple channel memory. The single modules come in 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB capacities. They operate at 1.5 or 1.65 volts and either 1600 MHz, 1866 MHz, or 2133 MHz. CAS latencies vary between the various SKUs and include CAS 8-8-8-24, 9-9-9-27, and 9-10-9-27 (for the module running at 2133 MHz).

The Crucial 8 GB Ballistix DIMMs are able to be installed in configurations up to 64 GB in the case of the Intel X79 motherboards. They are available for purchase now worldwide and are backed by a lifetime warranty. To give you an idea of pricing, the 4 GB Ballistix Sport kit running at 1600 MHz is $33.99 USD while the 8 GB Ballistix Tactical kit running at 1866 MHz is $79.99 USD. Finally, the 8 GB Ballistix Elite kit at 1866 MHz is $87.99 USD.

Look for the SSD sweet spot

Subject: Storage | September 26, 2011 - 06:44 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ssd, round up, corsair, crucial, Intel 320, Intel 510, kingston, ocz, SF-2281 controller, Marvell 88SS9174, Intel PC29AS21BA0

Making the assumption you are not as rich as Croesus, there is a sweet spot that many look for when it comes to SSDs.  If you go too small the channel limitations will impact your performance, but a 256GB+ drive is simply out of the budgets of many enthusiasts ... at least for the storage subsystem.  The Tech Report set out in search of the perfect size for an SSD, big enough for full speed performance but small enough it doesn't break the bank.  To that end they assembled nine SSDs, ranging in size from 120GB to 128GB, which gives away the ending in a way.  What you don't know is which drive came out on top, especially in the price to performance tests.  Find out in their full article.

"The latest generation of SSDs is out in full force. We've rounded up nine of 'em to see which offers the best performance and overall value proposition"

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• Samsung PM830 Review @ The SSD Review
• Mach Xtreme MX-DS Turbo 120 GB SSD @ techPowerUp
• Samsung 830 Series SSD Review @ HardwareHeaven
• MemoRight FTM.25 115GB SSD @ Kitguru
• Patriot Pyro 120GB SSD @ kitguru
• Patriot Wildfire 120GB 6Gb/s Solid-State Drive Review @ ThinkComputers
• Patriot Pyro 120GB SSD Review, RAID0 Performance Tested @ Techspot
• Mach Xtreme Technology MX DS Turbo 120 GB SSD Review @ Hardware Secrets
• The Samsung SSD 830 @ AnandTech
• Western Digital Scorpio Blue 1TB 2.5" Hard Drive Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Hard Disk Drive Performance Comparison Guide @ TechARP
• HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL SATA 6G RAID Controller @ Tweaktown
• Patriot Javelin S4 @ Legion Hardware
• SilverStone DC01 Network Attached Storage device Review @ OCIA
• USB 3.0 vs. External Hard Disk Drives @ X-bit Labs
• Thecus N4200PRO @ Computing on Demand
• WD My Passport Essential 500GB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive @ Legit Reviews
• Centon Rush USB 3.0 16 GB @ techPowerUp
• Patriot 16GB Supersonic Xpress USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review @ Madshrimps

New Firmware Offers Performance Boost To Crucial M4 SSDs

Subject: Storage | August 30, 2011 - 02:17 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: ssd, SATA3, M4, crucial

Crucial, a relatively new but successful entrant to the SSD space recently released a new firmware for its M4 lineup that promises faster boot up times and improved write performance. Specifically, the new firmware is version 0009, and users can directly update their m4 SSDs from either revision 0001 or 0002. The update is installed by downloading and burning a bootable CD.

According to Tom’s Hardware, the company is promising up to a 20 % performance improvement in sequential read speeds. Further, the official firmware change log includes improvements in throughput performance, write latency, and compatibility with the latest chipsets. In synthetic application testing, Crucial noted an increase in the PCMark Vantage benchmark score using the new firmware update. The company has also improved compatibility between SATA 2 (3Gb/s) chipsets and the SATA 3 (6Gb/s) solid state drives. Lastly, the new firmware reduces the chances for a failed cold boot up (starting the computer from a completely powered down state) of the SSD on certain systems.

Its is certainly nice to see firmware fixes that both squash bugs and offer up some free performance improvements. You can find the firmware download for your specific m4 solid state drive in addition to update instructions here. Let us know what you think of the new firmware.

Dual channel DDR3 roundup, only the best for your Z68 system

Subject: Memory | July 8, 2011 - 12:53 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: corsair, patriot, kingston, crucial, G.Skill, ddr3, roundup

At Hardware Heaven you can catch a dual channel DDR3 roundup featuring Corsair Vengeance, Crucial Ballistix, Kingston HyperX, Patriot Division 2 Viper Xtreme and G.Skill RipjawsX kits.  The kits range from DDR3-1600 @ 7-8-7-24-2T to DDR3-2133 @ 9-11-9-27-1T and even features a low power 8GB kit which uses 1.5V.  They didn't have much luck overclocking the high speed DIMMs, it seems they are running stock speeds close to the maximum possible and had much better luck with the 1600MHz kits.  The charts do reveal a truth that not many like to admit, spending all that extra money on the high speed kits will not give you a noticeable jump in real world performance.

"Last month, for the first time in a while, we took a look at various different memory products which were designed for Intel's X58 architecture and found that there are a number of great kits available from a number of manufacturers. Whether it is capacity, speed or low energy use there was something for everyone and the various approaches created an interesting comparison. Not everyone has access to an X58 system though so today we are going to look at Intel's mainstream chipset and put 5 different kits through their paces in a selection of real world and synthetic tests on Z68."

Here are some more Memory articles from around the web:

Memory

• Dual-Channel DDR3-1600 8GB Shootout @ Legion Hardware
• Corsair Dominator 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz C7 Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews
• Kingston HyperX H2O 4GB 2133MHz DDR3 Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews