Crucial DDR4-2133 CL15 @ 1.2V - Review

Crucial DDR4-2133 CL15 @ 1.2V - Review

Intel’s Haswell-E processors and the X99 chipset are the first consumer platform that can take advantage of DDR4. Compared to DDR3, the new memory standard provides a lower operating voltage and the potential for higher frequencies. For example, DDR4 modules are designed to operate at 1.2V, while the DDR3 standard calls for an operating voltage 1.5V. DDR4 memory frequencies have debuted at 2,133MHz; when DDR3 hit the scene, the fastest speed it could muster was 1,066MHz. Of course, DDR3 kits running at 2,133MHz have been available for years, but let’s give DDR4 a little time. If you check out our X99 motherboard round in this issue, you’ll see that motherboard manufacturers are already preparing for fast frequencies, as all four of the boards supports DDR4-3000.

Crucial’s DDR4-2133 CL15 @ 1.2V (part number CT4K4G4DFS8213) 16GB kit is our first chance to take a ride on the DDR4 expressway. The four 4GB sticks can work with the X99’s quad-channel memory architecture, which gives Haswell-E CPUs simultaneous access to all four modules. Previous benchmarking with Intel’s X79 chipset, which also uses a quad-channel architecture, has shown that quad-channel kits yield a sizeable bandwidth increase over memory kits used in a dual-channel setup.

The modules run at 1.2V to comply with DDR4’s new power requirements, and Crucial indicates that it’s added other efficiency measures to further improve power usage. The end result is a set of memory that’s up to 40% more energy-efficient than comparable DDR3. The reduced power consumption will also help to lower the amount heat that the 
modules generate. Crucial uses 15-15-15-36 timings on the modules, which are on par with other entry-level 2,133MHz kits. 

The sticks are part of Crucial’s DDR4 desktop memory lineup, which uses a plain design without heat spreaders. For a more customized look and tighter timings, Crucial will be offering its Ballistix Sport DD4 line.At press time, Crucial was selling this 16GB kit for $267.99, which works out to $16.75 per GB. Those looking for a larger capacity quadchannel kit can purchase a 32GB kit (8 x 4GB) for $519.99, which is $16.25 per GB.

To test the memory, we installed the Crucial DDR4-2133 kit on a system with Intel’s Core i7-5960X and a GIGABYTE GA-X99-UD5 WIFI. We used SiSoftware 2014 Lite SP1’s memory benchmarks to test the 16GB kit’s speed. The Memory Bandwidth test produced speeds of 42.3GBps (Integer) and 43.13GBps (Floating). In the Cache & Memory Latency test, Crucial’s 16GB DDR4 kit checked in at 41.4ns. Lastly, we ran the Cache Bandwidth test, where the memory produced a speed of 333.92GBps.We used the Crucial DDR4-2133 CL15 @ 1.2V kit in our motherboard roundup, and it was rock solid during all of our benchmarking. If you’re looking for a respectable set of DDR4 to start a Haswell-E and X99 build, this kit is a perfect starter. 

Specs:Capacity: 16GB (4 x 4GB); Timings; 15-15-15-36; Frequency DDR4-2133 (PC4-17000); Voltage: 1.2V; Unbuffered; Non-ECC; Limited lifetime warranty

Test system specs:Processor: Intel Core i7-5960X; Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X99-UD5 WIFI; GPU: PNY XLR8 GeForce GTX 780 Ti Customized Overclocked; Storage: 240GB Intel SSD 730 Series; OS: Windows 8.1 Enterprise (64-bit)