If you got a DDR4-supporting laptop, or perhaps a mITX system that requires DDR4 SODIMMs with 2666 MHz support out of the box, you don't have that many options today. Team Group's T-Force Vulcan Gaming Series of DDR4 SODIMMs come ready for that and more.
Team Group's latest RGB DDR4 design hits our test lab, the T-Force XCALIBUR RGB DDR4. This special-edition version of the T-Force XCALIBUR sticks is rated at 3600 MHz with rather loose 18-20-20-24 timings, but comes with claims of overclocking, too.
Not to be left out, we've got Ballistix's take on the TUF Gaming Alliance memory. These Gaming-grade DDR4 sticks come in varying speeds and capacities catering to entry-level gamers and enthusiasts alike. Although we've got the TUF Gaming Alliance version here today, other visual designs to match other motherboards are on the way, making these sticks a great option for those looking for a bit more in performance, but still with a focus on price.
Patriot's turn at RGB memory has hit our test labs with the Viper white RGB 3200 MHz DDR4 kit. Compatible with most motherboard RGB controls, the Patriot Viper's fangs are ready to light up your case.
A-DATA's latest memory from their XPG line is the SPECTRIX D41, a high-clocked kit of RGB-capable DDR4 with software support for all major RGB-control technologies, which completely removes the need to buy a specific motherboard; and yes, they work on Ryzen, too.
Looking for that specially designed memory kit for your motherboard? Got one of those new ASUS TUF motherboards? We've got another option for you here from Team Group, with their no-LED Vulcan series for ASUS TUF motherboards running at 3200 MHz DDR4.
Kingston's HyperX Predator series of DDR4 RGB memory takes the traditional HyperX treatment to DDR4 and adds RGB, the HyperX way. These enthusiast-grade DDR4 DIMMs feature a pretty decent CL15 timing at their rated 2933 MHz speed, so not only do they look good, they offer low latency, too.
Corsair's latest entry into RGB memory is their Vengeance PRO series, a kit supporting iCUE, which is Corsair's RGB lighting control system. This isn't just any RGB memory, though; the Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO series is built for serious overclocking too!
Called SNIPER X, G.SKILL's new memory release is optimized for Intel's latest entry-level chipset motherboards and CPUs. These enthusiast-grade G.SKILL DDR4 modules are thematically matched to specific motherboards designs - and for all you RGB haters out there - do not include LEDs.
Ballistix has finally released their long-anticipated DDR4 Tracer memory, a line-up of high-performance LED-lit memory that has years upon years of history within enthusiast circles. We see if this latest iteration of Ballistix Tactical Tracer memory lives up to expectations.
So you've got a nice shiny mITX X299 board and need some nice new DIMMs? Look no further! I've got a kit here with a base spec of 2666 MHz (that means no XMP needed), making it the perfect match for your new i9 CPU's default speeds, or with a CPU overclock (since memory overclocking affects CPU overclocking at times on this platform).
Yet another kit by Geil has crossed my desk, and this one is also for AMD's Ryzen CPUs. This time, we've got big heatsinks and RGB lighting thrown into the mix. Although we've seen many RGB memory kits already, this one has yet another slightly different take on how RGB and memory should mash up together. Plus, it's for Ryzen, and most other kits aren't.
Geil's EVO Spear sticks are a standard-height, high-performance memory series specifically tuned for AMD Ryzen CPUs. With excellent CPU heatsink compatibility thanks to their low height, these EVO Spear sticks are ready for whatever type of Ryzen system you might build, entry-level or high-end. And yes, they work on Intel too.
ADATA brings to market yet another set of RGB DDR4 sticks with their ADATA SPECTRIX D40 RGB memory, and we take them for a spin on Intel's X299 platform. With ASUS AURA SYNC compatibility, these sticks have a fresh look right out of the box, yet with a default 2666 JEDEC profile, these are a perfect match for all of Intel's latest CPUs, especially the HEDT ones.
We step it up a notch in memory speeds thanks to G.SKILL's pricey 3866 MHz TridentZ memory. This is one capable kit, ready for ultra-high speeds with Intel's Kaby Lake CPUs right out of the box, and even has some OC headroom to spare.
Team Group's Delta RGB is one of the best memory kits we ever tested. They are the perfect match for your ASUS ROG motherboard with ASUS Aura Sync. Offering full top-to-bottom RGB LED goodness when installed into a case, these sticks provide an ultra-wide viewing angle for their Force Flow RGB LEDs, making them perhaps the best RGB option for those non-standard-layout case designs.
Team Group added some new sticks to their fleet from the T-Force product line, the Night Hawk RGB. Team Group's Night Hawk RGB sticks take everything the normal Night Hawk sticks have and make it better, and there is RGB.
Ballistix Elite DDR4 sticks have been granted a speed bump all the way up to 3466 MHz. We take the 8 GB DIMMs for a spin on Intel's Z270 platform because these sticks are still too Elite for AMD systems.
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..
Today, we take a look at Team Group's ROG Certified DARK series of DIMMs from their T-Force line-up of enthusiast-oriented DDR4 DIMMs. These ROG Certified DIMMs have a special secret; read on to find out what that is!
Crucial's Ballistix Elite DDR4 are on our test bench today. These 3200 MHz 4 GB DIMMs are the top speed Crucial offers right now, featuring large heatsinks and fairly respectable timings. Also included is a nice software suite that lets you monitor temperatures and adjust the LED lighting.
G.Skill has long been a bastion of affordable high-performance memory, and their Trident Z line-up is the ultimate version of what DDR4 they have on offer. Featuring a large heatsink ready for some abuse, G.Skill's Trident Z sticks now can also be had in other colors!
Team Group sent us their newly released T-Force Night Hawk 3000 MHz DDR4, which comes with a new look, and other features not common to today's DDR4. T-Force is Team Group's latest focus on bringing something a little bit different for any memory-related gear, including memory and SSDs.
Crucial released a speed bump to their DDR4 products! Today, we get get to look at their update to the Ballistix Tracer line-up with a maximum speed of 3000 MHz and amazingly decent timings of 15-16-16-35 operating at a voltage of 1.35 V. You may have thought of Crucial as a company that only offers entry-level to mid-grade DDR4 products, but cannot do so any longer!
Intel's Skylake loves high-speed DDR4. G.Skill loves making it. The G.Skill F4-3866C18D-8GTZ is one of those high-speed kits, topping out at a crazy 3866 MHz, a whole 1733 MHz above the Skylake base memory specification. Can our CPU make it that high? Does your motherboard even support such speeds? G.Skill's 3866 MHz TridentZ kit definitely pushes the limits.
