Crucial has been on the forefront of value, OEM, and performance memory for many years. As a subsidiary of Micron, you can be certain they know what they're doing.



The item we'll be looking at in this review is from Crucial's very popular Ballistix line of enthusiast grade system memory. With their latest Ballistix DDR3 modules, Crucial has incorporated thermal sensors on the circuit board to help enthusiasts better monitor memory temperatures and to help with overclocking. And as you can see in the promotional image above, they have given the heatspreader a more aggressive look, with fins reaching up for better cooling.

Before we check out the 4GB 1600MHz dual channel kit provided for review, let's look at some of the features and specifications taken from the product page at Newegg.com.

Features and Specifications:

Brand: Crucial
Series: Ballistix
Model: BL2KIT25664FN1608
Type: 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
Capacity: 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed: DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Cas Latency: 8
Timing: 8-8-8-24
Voltage: 1.65V
Multi-channel Kit: Dual Channel Kit
Heat Spreader: Yes
Features: Finned heat spreader w/ Thermal Sensor
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts: Lifetime limited
Labor: Lifetime limited

Packaging:

Our 4GB (2x2GB) Ballistix finned thermal sensor kit arrived in the dreaded clam-shell packaging as seen in the image below. Note to Crucial: other manufacturers of high-end modules have used a different, easy to open packaging that doesn't require the jaws of life to open, why can't you follow suit? In my personal experience with Crucial, I have never seen them use this hermetically-sealed type of case before, so why start now? Other than the hard to open packaging, the graphics are in the black, yellow, and red colors that distinguish this kit as part of their performance based Ballistix memory line.