Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500
Crucial is a wholly owned subsidiary of Micron Technology. Micron is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions, including DRAM and Flash memory modules. Crucial has been sporting the Ballistix brand for a few years now and they are back with a fresh new look for their DDR2 modules. There are two flavors available for the enthusiast crowd currently: Ballistix and Ballistix Tracers. They function identically, but the ‘Tracers’ provide LED lighting to appeal to those looking for something to show off in a windowed case. The kit I’ll be taking a look at today is the Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 kit.
Specifications (taken from Ballistix product page)
- Part Number: BL2KIT12864AA1065
- Capacity: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
- Type: DDR2 240-pin DIMM, Unbuffered, NON-ECC
- Rated Frequency: DDR2 PC2-8500 (1066MHz)
- Rated Timings: 5-5-5-15
- Rated vDIMM: 2.2V
- Approximate Retail Price: $89.00USD (with MIRs that can take it as low as $64.99USD)
Crucial uses a unique and very functional packaging for their Ballistix memory modules. A cardboard box with cardboard spacers keep the modules safe during transport. Each module is individually packaged in an anti-static bag.
The Ballistix are very good looking DIMMs. The newer heatspreaders were originally introducted with their ‘Anniversary Edition’ memory and are now used on all Ballistix DIMMs.
The PCB is black beneath the yellow-gold heat spreaders which creates a nice contrast and a high quality appearance. I don’t know why most manufacturers use green. Ask any enthusiast, and they’ll tell you that black PCB looks best in most situations. Green seems to clash with just about everything. Crucial clearly listened.
The adhesive thermal pad failed to make proper contact with the ICs on both DIMMs. Squeezing it together by hand did temporarily correct the problem but it came apart again, unfortunately. The ICs on the side of the DIMM in question are not going to be transferring heat very well. After a quick browse around some forums, a few others had this issue and corrected it by allowing the modules to heat up quite a bit before trying to squeeze them together again. I’m hoping this is just an isolated issue with a batch of DIMMs.
I had no issues getting these modules to boot. Setting vDIMM and the correct frequency in the BIOS was all that was required. Crucial has programmed several SPD profiles, including two enhanced performance profiles for PC2-6400 and PC2-8500 frequencies.
Overclocking and Frequency Scaling
We put the Ballistix kit through its paces on our Intel test rig outlined in the ‘Testing Methodology’ section.
WARNING: Increasing memory voltage beyond manufacturer specifications can be harmful to the modules and other system components. Although we subject modules to high levels of vDIMM for testing purposes, many of these results are not suitable for 24/7 use. Always consult with your memory manufacturer to see what a maximum ‘safe’ voltage is for 24/7 use. Increase memory voltage at your own risk!
The modules just kept climbing until they reached a very impressive 1300MHz. I was very pleased to see 1200MHz, but 1300MHz is truly exceptional. It is a pretty steep vDIMM curve to acheive the last 100MHz at 5-5-5 timings.
Things looked just as positive with 4-4-4 timings. The Ballistix kit topped out just shy of 1200MHz. Most kits can not hit 1180MHz with 5-5-5 timings, let alone 4-4-4 timings. Very good!
The Ballistix were able to clock an impressive 900MHz at super tight 3-3-3 timings. Very impressive as well. This kit responded very well to vDIMM at tighter timings, which is typical of Micron D9 based modules.
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