Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (4x4GB) 3000MHz Memory Kit Review

Introduction

Crucial has forged an imperious reputation as one of the leading memory manufacturers and offers a wide range of speeds, heatspreader designs and capacities at competitive price points. Honestly, I’ve been really impressed with Crucial’s ability to select high-quality ICs and low timings without adding a significant price premium. Given the reliable nature of their DIMMs and lifetime warranty, it’s easy to see why Crucial products remain such an enticing prospect. Of course, stability is commonplace among every memory vendor which means consumers usually select modules based on aesthetics. Therefore, it’s important to conjure up eye-catching heatspreaders which complement other components.

The latest memory kit from Crucial to arrive for review purposes is the Ballistix Tactical which features an attractive gunmetal grey finish and black PCB. Not only that, this particular configuration includes 4x4GB DIMMs running at a hefty 3000MHz frequency. Additionally, the memory modules require a voltage rating of 1.35V and utilise fairly tight 15-16-16-35 timings. Priced at £103.19 directly from Crucial’s store, this looks like an excellent package and I’m expecting the memory kit to perform exceptionally well.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

As per usual with memory kits, the product comes in blister packaging which displays the modules while outlining their core specifications. Even though the packaging is relatively bland, it’s functional and protects the DIMMs from moving around during transit thanks to a precise mould.

On the opposite side, there’s a brief rundown of Crucial’s DDR4 range in a number of languages and contact information.

A Closer Look

Crucial have adopted a sophisticated gunmetal grey theme which is neutral enough to slot into virtually any system build. Unlike many of their competitors, Crucial decided to retain a simple, classic design and didn’t incorporate spectacular lighting effects. This is a sensible approach because some people prefer an understated aesthetic and selecting a particular colour for the lighting strips could cause the DIMMs to clash with certain components. As you can see, the heatspreaders are reminiscent of an industrial piece of hardware and look extremely rugged.

On another note, the distinctive diagonal lines and gaps in the top section enhance the product’s visual exuberance. While the elongated top shouldn’t interfere with large air coolers, it’s one aspect to take into consideration. According to my readings, the modules are 36mm tall from the PCB to the highest point of the heatspreaders. As a result, the DIMMs cannot be classified as “low-profile” although they’re far from being the tallest I’ve encountered which should improve compatibility.

Towards the edge of each module, there’s a sticker indicating the part number, lead-free constructions, manufacturer origin, frequency and timings. This particular kit opts for a 3000MHz 15-16-16-35 1.35V default XMP profile. Please note, this is the only profile available and you cannot use a slightly slower mode as seen on some memory kits.