G.Skill TridentZ 3200MHz DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) Review

Introduction G.Skill is one of the most respected memory vendors in the technology industry and synonymous for selecting premium ICs to set world records. For example, back in August, Chi-Kui Lam overclocked G.Skill's Ripjaws 4 memory made from Samsung ICs to attain an astonishing world record of 4795.8MHz. Additionally, the data from HWBOT in August shows 7 Skylake world records were set on Ripjaws 4 memory kits. This exemplifies the overclocking potential of G.Skill modules and strict binning process. In most scenarios, consumers simply enable Intel's Extreme Memory Profile and avoid manual overclocks to maximize compatibility. Additionally, in gaming tasks, the difference between 2400MHz and higher frequencies is minimal. Nevertheless, if the price difference between 2400MHz and 3000MHz+ is small, there's no reason not to pay the extra for higher bandwidth modules out of the box. The G.Skill TridentZ series is available in a number of configurations from 2800MHz all the way up to 4000MHz. As you can see, this is an extraordinarily high specification and designed for consumers wanting the ultimate in memory speeds. Today, we're taking a look at the 3200MHz kit which utilizes 1.35v, and 16-18-18 timings. It's quite important to note that G.Skill have conducted thorough testing on Intel's Z170 platform to check compatibility and stability with XMP. Unfortunately, our testing procedure revolves around X99, and every other DDR4 memory review has been conducted via the professional platform. Theoretically, we could have reviewed this particular memory kit on a Z170 motherboard but there wouldn't be any fair comparison to previous reviews and too many variables. This is why the X99 test bench is still being used for DDR4 reviews. Despite this lengthy clarification, I expect the TridentZ kit to perform superbly given G.Skill's heritage and commitment to providing the fastest memory on the planet! Specifications Packaging and Accessories The memory kit comes in a visually appealing box which creates a sense of luxury and outlines the product's magnificent aesthetic design. On the opposite side, there is a brief synopsis about the TridentZ series and G.Skill's lifetime support service. A Closer Look Here we can see the gorgeous memory in all its glory and I honestly believe this is some of the best-looking RAM I've ever seen. The metallic silver finish, and dynamic edges contrast in a beautiful manner. Furthermore, the G.Skill and TridentZ logos are positioned perfectly and it enhances the aesthetic design without being too overbearing. Additionally, the red strip on the top looks fantastic and really stands out compared to the silver heat spreader and white lettering. On another note, the black PCB accentuates the memory's sharp, sophisticated tone. Even more astounding, G.Skill utilized a dark brushed metallic finish on the reverse side to proficiently suit red and black gaming motherboards. From this angle, it's evidently clear how much time has been taken designing the memory which makes each module look very expensive. Motherboard Installation Pictures Once installed, the memory looks stunning and the perfect choice for any red and black motherboard. I love the small G.Skill logo on the top and dynamic metallic lines. Everything is just sublime and I'm in awe of how beautiful the DIMMs are. Test System and Procedure Before we delve into any testing we would like to take this opportunity to review our test system. Test System (Intel X99 DDR4) Motherboard - Asus Rampage V Extreme X99 Processor - Intel Core i7 5960X at Stock With Turbo Enabled RAM - Varies By Review Graphics Card - Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 980Ti CPU Cooler - Thermaltake Water 3.0 AIO unit with Gelid GC-Extreme thermal paste Power Supply - Be Quiet Power Zone 1000W Main Storage Drive - Crucial MX100 256GB SSD over SATA III interface Chassis - Lian Li T80 Test Bench Operating System - Windows 8.1 64 Bit Software Used SiSoft Sandra Tech Support Engineer AIDA 64 Engineer 3DMark WPrime CPU-Z Methodology In our RAM reviews, we keep things relatively simple. We put the RAM kit that is being tested into our test system and we benchmark it at its primary XMP profile using a variety of benchmarks and tests. Once complete we then overclock the kit to see how far we can push it in raw frequency terms, then benchmark it again using the same combination of tests with a CPU-Z validation of the overclock. Cinebench R15 Multithreaded Test AIDA64 Engineer Edition Memory Bandwidth and Latency Test SiSoft Sandra Tech Support (Engineer) Memory Bandwidth Test WPrime 32M Calculation Test 3DMark Fire Strike Physics Test Overclocking The overclocking process was incredibly straightforward and required a small voltage increase to 1.375V. As you can see, I managed to attain an overclock of 3320.8MHz while tightening the timings to 16-16-16-36. Initially, I loosened the timings to reach the memory's maximum potential but this had a minimal effect and became unstable after 3323MHz. As a result, the next step involved optimizing the timings to find the correct balance between frequency and latency. Given the memory's 3200MHz stock frequency at 16-18-18-38, the results are very good and surpassed my expectations. This memory is an overclocker's dream and capable of reaching extremely fast speeds if you're prepared to spend a small amount of time tweaking. Performance Benchmarks Cinebench Despite only utilizing a dual channel configuration, the memory kit scored extremely well at 3200MHz and remained within touching distance of various quad channel alternatives. The hefty overclock gave the TridentZ a clear advantage in Cinebench 15 and became the first sample to exceed 1450. This is a substantial boost compared to the stock results. AIDA64 At first glance, the statistics here look quite worrying. However, this is the first memory kit for review which uses two DIMMs instead of four. While it can be difficult to compare with other memory kits, there should be more dual channel reviews in the near future and this will give a better indication of the TridentZ's relative performance. The manual overclock has a dramatic effect in read speeds and enhances the other key attributes by an impressive margin. In terms of stock latency, the TridentZ achieves a marvelous figure of 60 nano seconds, which is the best result recorded so far. The overclock reduces this figure to 58 and illustrates the memory's impeccable latency in both stock and overclocked scenarios. SiSoft Sandra Here we can see a similar pattern to AIDA64, although, for a dual channel kit, the memory's bandwidth is excellent. The TridentZ managed slightly better figures once the overclock had been manually applied. WPrime During WPrime, the memory kit almost calculated Pi in under four seconds and performed admirably. Please note, all of these are within a margin of error so it's difficult to gauge the actual effect of memory speed and capacity in a completely accurate manner. The TridentZ's 3320MHz overclock reduced the compute time to 4.032 seconds. Once again, this might simply be variation between two benchmark runs, but I'm pretty certain the improved times are a result of a 120MHZ frequency change. 3DMark Fire Strike Memory bandwidth only has a small impact during 3D tasks, as the majority of performance is determined by the GPU. Unsurprisingly, the top two results are the latest memory tests and illustrate how these enhanced numbers come from optimizations in NVIDIA's latest driver. Nevertheless, the TridentZ attains a great Physics score in 3DMark. On the other hand, the memory once overclocked easily pulls ahead and I'm astonished by the large boost going from stock to 3320MHz. This is certainly a massive feat and way beyond what I expected. Final Thoughts Pricing The G.Skill TridentZ 3200MHZ dual channel kit is currently available in the UK from OneStopPCShop for £125.31 and US customers can purchase the memory from Newegg for $124.99. This is a decent price when you take into consideration G.Skill's reputation, the premium heatspreaders, and 3200MHz frequency. However, unless you're an extreme overclocker or someone who can utilize the extra memory speed, you might be better off buying a 3000MHz quad channel kit instead. For example, UK retailer eBuyer.com, sells the Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4x4GB) C15 memory for £104.68. Granted, it's nowhere near as premium looking or unique as the G.Skill kit, but it's a better value proposition for the mainstream consumer. Clearly, G.Skill's TridentZ range is targeted at elite X99 or Z170 overlockers wanting the absolute maximum memory speeds and strict selection of premium ICs. Summary In terms of aesthetic design, G.Skill deserve a huge amount of credit for creating the best-looking memory modules I've seen in a long time. The understated yet classy G.Skill branding and brushed aluminium finish is utterly sublime. I also love how each side of the modules adopts a different shade which contrasts superbly well and looks like a premium piece of hardware. Additionally, the red horizontal accent adds some visual flair without being too garish or looking unprofessional. It's not perfect though, as the red and black colour scheme is overdone and I'd like to see the interchangeable colour strips. This section is plastic so it's not beyond the realm of possibility. In the pricing section, I might have seemed a little harsh when describing the memory's value, and it's all honesty, given the luxury design, I'd probably pay the extra. The memory kit performed exceedingly well using the default 3200MHz XMP setting and remained completely stable during the extensive benchmarking procedure. Furthermore, the stock results are very impressive and genuinely competes against quad channel kits surprising well. Despite this, the modules really come into their own once overclocked and able to attain a significant performance boost. Speaking of overclocking, it was a relatively painless experience to attain 3320MHz with tight 16-16-16-38 timings. Theoretically, there is room for a greater frequency boost but this required pretty loose timings for a minimal frequency gain. The overclock on our X99 test bench balanced a high frequency and low latency remarkably well. Honestly, I'm fairly confident, it's possible to achieve around 3400MHz on a Z170 system, and felt like the overclocking potential was being restricted by the motherboard. Nevertheless, a 120MHz boost is good, especially when you take into account the tight timings. Also, I applied an extra 0.2v to reach 3320MHz as a precautionary measure to maintain stability. Once, the benchmarks were completed, I dialed the voltage back to 1.35v and found it to be completely stable. Overall, the TridentZ series, from my experience, employs a very strict binning process and even the 3200MHz kit has a good amount of headroom for overclocking. If you're seriously considering these, please overclock them to reach their full potential! One other factor to take into consideration is the module height which measures a total of 40mm. As a result, some larger air coolers might have compatibility issues in dual fan mode. For example, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 has a memory clearance of, ironically enough, 40mm. This will be extremely tight and I'm not entirely sure if a CPU cooler like this would be the best option with G.Skill's TridentZ's series. On the other hand, the Noctua NH-D15 and NH-D15S utilize a small cutout to slide over the memory and enhance compatibility. In most scenarios, I expect the sort of consumer using 3200MHz premium memory to have a custom loop or closed loop liquid cooler. Otherwise, why invest in gorgeous memory, if it's going to be obscured by the cooler? In conclusion, G.Skill have created another groundbreaking memory product which provides all the horsepower needed for extreme usage scenarios. While it's not the cheapest kit on the market, I would thoroughly recommend it if you enjoying overclocking, or admire the stunning visual design. Sadly, memory can be quite a mundane albeit functional piece of hardware, but manufacturers like G.Skill showcases how to approach product design. The package really is that good and G.Skill should be very proud of the TridentZ series. Pros Arguably, the best looking DDR4 memory available Doesn't require loose timings to remain stable Extremely fast 3200MHz XMP 2.0 profile Great overclocking headroom Lifetime warranty and impeccable customer service Low latency Premium ICs Stock 1.35v is well within DDR4 safe limits Cons 3200MHz frequency comes at a price premium 40mm height can cause problems with large air coolers "The G.Skill TridentZ DDR4 3200MHz dual channel memory kit is a visual masterpiece while offering mesmerizing performance to suit the extreme market." G.Skill TridentZ 3200MHz DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) Dual Channel Memory Kit Review Thank you G.Skill for providing us with this sample.