Introduction

High performance memory kits have evolved quite a bit these last few years, both in styling and technology. Styling has shifted to heavier heat sinks, LED light bars, and fancy RGB control software. The technology has done what it inevitably will by producing greater speeds and densities at generally lower cost (recent inflation notwithstanding). While some would bemoan the current design trends, I believe they are beneficial in general, providing greater build flexibility and putting more control in the hands of the user. Generalities, of course, always come with exceptions. The Ballistix Sport series by Micron is an excellent example, specifically the Ballistix Sport AT 3200 MHz.

The TUF Gaming Alliance is a collaboration by ASUS with a host of other hardware manufacturers. The goal of the Alliance is to produce a wide range of DIY parts that "guarantee both compatibility and aesthetic harmony". The general idea is to provide customers with a range of parts in a matching theme and a level of compatibility, stability, and durability that is a step above the industry standard. The visual theme in question is black and yellow with a gray digi-cameo pattern.

The Ballistix Sport AT incorporates that philosophy into a very dense and practical design. Words like "sport" appear strange in the context of PC components, but I think the term is appropriate. I would liken it to a sports car: small, lightweight, and high performance. On paper, the Ballistix Sport AT has all three, but when rubber meets the road will it live up to its name?

Specifications

Packaging

The packaging for the Ballistix Sport AT is a standard clam shell designed for two sticks. A cardboard insert covers more than half of the front and the entire rear. On the front, the insert has a black diamond plate background with a splash of gray which highlights "BALLISTIX SPORT" and "GAMING MEMORY". A "BALLISTIX by Micron" has also been placed in one corner.

In the top corner is a TUF Gaming Alliance specification sticker in silver. Below it, the single DIMM can be seen. The back of the package has the same black diamond plate background with a much larger splash of gray. The gray section lists generalized product details in multiple languages, and a black box on the right has a link to the full product and warranty information. I would have liked timings to be mentioned on the front sticker, but as those are on the stick, this is a small issue.


Inside the clam shell was a single 16 GB stick, taking up about 75 percent of the top slot. Despite appearances, the stick is held securely in place and well protected.