Crucial is one of the most recognized names in system memory largely due to their reputation for producing high quality products. While they may not be the first brand people think of when shopping for enthusiast grade memory, their Ballistix series of high performance memory deserves more attention. It offers the same great reliability and technical support that Crucial memory is known for, but it also offers the high speeds, tight timings, and aggressive styling that enthusiasts demand.
This review will be focused on the Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB DDR3-1333 memory kit, as shown in the promotional image below. What we have is a pair of 2GB low latency PC3-10600 modules given a little extra visual appeal thanks to black PCBs and heatspreaders, as well as numerous LEDs embedded in the PCBs.
Before we take a closer look at this memory kit and how it can perform, let's take a look at some published data regarding it from the
official product page on the Crucial website.
Features and Specifications:
» Part Number: BL2KIT25664TA1336
» Capacity: 4GB - 2x 2048MB Memory Modules
» Speed Grade: PC3-10600, 1333MHz DDR3
» Timings: 6-6-6-20
» Voltage: 1.8 V
» Type: 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM with LEDs
» Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day money-back compatibility guarantee.
While these aren't specified as the fastest DDR3 memory modules you can find, the timings are pretty impressive. For those who want plug and play performance from a 4GB PC3-10600 kit, you won't find much tighter timings than 6-6-6-20.
Packaging:
The packaging for the
Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB DDR3-1333 memory kit consists of a paper sleeve that holds to individually sealed memory modules together. These modules are available for sale individually, so it makes it pretty easy for Crucial to bundle up a dual channel kit with minimal extra packaging.
