G.SKILL TridentZ RGB 3600 MHz C16 DDR4

[cadaveca]

G.SKILL's at the forefront of RGB memory with their TridentZ RGB series of DDR4 modules. These sticks don't differ that much from past TridentZ modules at first glance, but built with high-quality memory ICs and G.SKILL's own RGB design, these DDR4 sticks are so very different from most other DDR4 sticks on the market..

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[Nihilus]

Seems that the slower 3200 Mhz sticks with lower CAS 14 often matched or beats these.

"It's the best, and you pay for it (but it's totally worth it!!)"
...yeah if you are huge goober but each their own.

 

[Deleted member 6693]

Maybe i am becoming old - but all this fuzz about RGB lighting is running over my head.
My son has build a new rig for gaming - his room is lighted up like a Christmas tree .....

 

[EarthDog]

Heh, for the Skylake-X review, I specifically asked for non RGB, lol!

 

[Kyuuba]

Can't agree more, those G.skill kits are phenomenal!

 

[Sabishii Hito]

I've read not-so-great things about these sticks over at HWBot, specifically in regards to the PCBs for these not being as good for overclocking since they have to incorporate the extra signaling for the RGB lighting. I've also heard of horror stories about the SPDs getting corrupted.

 

[Ebo]

I just want a well working pc and not a xmas tree.

 

[cadaveca]

My son has build a new rig for gaming - his room is lighted up like a Christmas tree .....

These kids are our future enthusiasts, and although some of us older folk may not like the bling on tap like this, you can't discount that it does appeal to those of the younger generation, and if they in turn buy more stuff, that's good!

I've read not-so-great things about these sticks over at HWBot, specifically in regards to the PCBs for these not being as good for overclocking since they have to incorporate the extra signaling for the RGB lighting. I've also heard of horror stories about the SPDs getting corrupted.

If you use the pre-approved boards, most issues reported seem to not be present, so I can't say too much about that, can I? Hardware always behaves weird when not used in "approved" ways. There being a limitation to supported boards for the software does suck a bit, but any DIMMs that offer the ability to change LED color are subject to the same limitations. As to it affecting extreme OC results, well, yeah, of course it does! But is it because of the PCB, or the IC's on top? I must admit, it's super-awesome to see the twinkle of LEDs shine through some LN2 vapors, but... it makes sense that there would be some impact in that arena, where things are so much on the utter edge of stability.

 

[Frito11]

these sticks are working with Asus Aura, the control software is basically identical i have two 3000 sticks in my Maximus IX Formula and they work wonderfully perfectly in sync with my motherboards RGB lighting and are running at full speed so far no issues.

 

[Deleted member 50521]

I am starting to warm up to these RGB craze. I mean it is not like they are charging twice the price for some bling bling right?

 

[jesdals]

Nice review - but It would be nice if your added the setting you had to change in voltage settings or more to make the modules stable. I am having trouble with another Kit, and there could be some valuable input there for more of us.

Thanks

 

[cadaveca]

It's all VCCSA and VCCIO voltages. What you need to change the voltages to will change on your individual CPU; sometimes it needs to be lower, not higher.

 

[Deleted member 50521]

It's all VCCSA and VCCIO voltages. What you need to change the voltages to will change on your individual CPU; sometimes it needs to be lower, not higher.

Possible for you to do your RAM testing on multiple platforms? Say RyZen and X99? I suppose a large portion of TPU members no longer use Intel's entry level platform.

 

[cadaveca]

Possible for you to do your RAM testing on multiple platforms? Say RyZen and X99? I suppose a large portion of TPU members no longer use Intel's entry level platform.

Yes, most definitely, especially if the ram is rated for multiple platforms.


I do that testing anyway, just not in the review itself. I mean, that's what I do for fun.

 

[Deleted member 50521]

Yes, most definitely, especially if the ram is rated for multiple platforms.


I do that testing anyway, just not in the review itself. I mean, that's what I do for fun.

Post it man! Just list them as supplemental data!

 

[CeltPC]

These modules do get corrupted SPD's, rendering them unstable and / or inoperable. Your alternatives at that point will be to reflash the SPD with Thaiphoon Burner, or attempting an RMA. This is not a rumor, I know from personal experience. It is well documented on any number of forums, including the G.Skill forum itself. Both G. Skill and Asus Aura software, as well as some other software, can trigger the problem.

A post by me at the G.Skill Forum:

"I had noticed some unusual behavior with four sticks of G.Skill Trident RGB DRAM, and started examining what could cause it. I started with CPU-Z. It showed some strange SPD information on the sticks. Then I tried Thaiphoon burner to read the SPD's and got the same results. Finally I ran HWiNFO64 in debug mode three times and sent the results to Mumak (the author of HWiNFO64).

After reviewing the logs his response was "Sorry to say, but those modules have a pretty badly messed up SPD.."

There are a number of other G.Skill Trident RGB owners posting similar issues in the "ROG Crosshair VI overclocking thread" on Overclock.net forum, so I don't think my case is a single aberration.

Here is a link to the screen shots and debug files:

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AmnqYpEo4iX0glqVJgJ1zleEXRsZ

I like the RGB DRAM a lot, but I returned them due to this issue. I am considering whether to order another set, but I am very concerned the same issue would occur."

The response by GSKILL TECH on 05-05-2017:

"We are aware of the issue and of course working on a solution. It is not solely Trident Z RGB software or ASUS Aura software that causes it so there are many other factors involved that we are looking into."

As of today, there is no fix from G.Skill. Any responsible review of these products needs to warn potential purchasers of the problem.

 

[diatribe]

Are these Samsung B-die IC's?

 

[Frito11]

Are these Samsung B-die IC's?

CeltPC's data shows that but my sticks are definitely not so its likely going to depend on the specific model.

 

[HopelesslyFaithful]

how does this have lower latency than the 3200 cl14? sub timings? Is the latency for AIDA64 not 1 word but like 8 word?

The 3200 cl14 should have lower 1 word timings. I dont have my excel sheet to look at 4 or 8 word timings so maybe AIDA64 doesnt use 1 word latency in test?

 

[Enterprise24]

I hope that G.Skill will continue selling TridentZ non RGB. Alex@RO tell us that RGB can cause negative effect on overclocking.

 

[Hood]

I wondered how long it would be before the use of RGB impacted performance. How long until RGB software on motherboards starts corrupting the BIOS somehow? Maybe this will start an anti-RGB movement in high-end hardware. I envision a day when you can identify a true enthusiast class PC by it's lack of RGB.

 

[cadaveca]

I hope that G.Skill will continue selling TridentZ non RGB. Alex@RO tell us that RGB can cause negative effect on overclocking.

I just got new TridentZ set from G.Skill, new for X299, no LEDs.

I wondered how long it would be before the use of RGB impacted performance. How long until RGB software on motherboards starts corrupting the BIOS somehow? Maybe this will start an anti-RGB movement in high-end hardware. I envision a day when you can identify a true enthusiast class PC by it's lack of RGB.

That impact is only really noticed for those doing extreme OC.

These modules do get corrupted SPD's, rendering them unstable and / or inoperable. Your alternatives at that point will be to reflash the SPD with Thaiphoon Burner, or attempting an RMA. This is not a rumor, I know from personal experience. It is well documented on any number of forums, including the G.Skill forum itself. Both G. Skill and Asus Aura software, as well as some other software, can trigger the problem.

You are on the AMD platform, not the Intel platform that TridentZ sticks are originally intended for. Although G.Skill has approved some of these kits for AMD systems, clearly there are some issues present in those systems that cause the problem.

I did try to replicate your problem on Intel, and could not. I did see your post and I did delay my review a bit while I researched this problem, and was unable to replicate on Intel boards. It's no big deal for me to try, since G.Skill will send me a new kit if I break mine.

Are these Samsung B-die IC's?

I do not disclose IC information since that can change from kit to kit and also over time as available ICs change. There aren't many ICs that'll do 3600 MHZ 16-16-16 tho...

 

[HopelesslyFaithful]

I just got new TridentZ set from G.Skill, new for X299, no LEDs.


That impact is only really noticed for those doing extreme OC.



You are on the AMD platform, not the Intel platform that TridentZ sticks are originally intended for. Although G.Skill has approved some of these kits for AMD systems, clearly there are some issues present in those systems that cause the problem.

I did try to replicate your problem on Intel, and could not. I did see your post and I did delay my review a bit while I researched this problem, and was unable to replicate on Intel boards. It's no big deal for me to try, since G.Skill will send me a new kit if I break mine.


I do not disclose IC information since that can change from kit to kit and also over time as available ICs change. There aren't many ICs that'll do 3600 MHZ 16-16-16 tho...

kind of a stupid thing to do. "Well since this can change i wont release certain data." More information is never a bad thing so you shouldn't treat your readers like idiots. A simple disclosure stating this is what you have but other kits may have different chips would suffice. A really dumb stance.

 

[cadaveca]

kind of a stupid thing to do. "Well since this can change i wont release certain data." More information is never a bad thing so you shouldn't treat your readers like idiots. A simple disclosure stating this is what you have but other kits may have different chips would suffice. A really dumb stance.

Meh, I'd not have the sample to review if I did disclose such info. It is at G.Skill request, and I do honor their requests. And again, only certain IC is capable right now, and you should be able to figure this out easily. The information is already out there.

I'm sorry I didn't meet your needs here, but I do have reason to do so.

 

[HopelesslyFaithful]

Meh, I'd not have the sample to review if I did disclose such info. It is at G.Skill request, and I do honor their requests. And again, only certain IC is capable right now, and you should be able to figure this out easily. The information is already out there.

I'm sorry I didn't meet your needs here, but I do have reason to do so.

saying it changes between kits so i dont release it

is very different from

G.Skill asks me to not release such information

first is dumb...second is understandable.