Looking for a stylish DDR4 RAM set with RGB lighting but would also like some decent performance? Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB memory might be the kit for you.
Product on Review: Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4
Manufacturer: Ballistix
Street Price: 32GB – 3000MHz – C16 – £447.59 / $523.99
Ballistix, a Micron company, have stepped into the RGB fray, strapping 16 LEDs within 8 different lighting zones to the top of each DRAM module.
These new RGB DRAM sticks are available in 8GB and 16GB capacities and 2666MHz and 3000MHz frequencies. CAS timings are 16-18-18-38 @ 1.35v. All modules are available individually, in matched pairs or in 4-piece kits for ultimate capacity.
Today we look at the 32GB 3000MHz kit, in the form of 4x 8GB modules, priced at around £450 in the UK. These modules are fully customisable with the DDR4 Ballistix Mod Utility, giving the user full control over all 64 of the LEDs. Not only that, there’s also the ability to 3D print your own light bar which will slide into the place of the existing, supplied piece.
3000MHz is widely regarded as the “sweet spot” between price and performance in today’s DDR4 memory market, offering excellent data transfer speeds while keeping costs relatively low.
Let’s strap the 32GB of Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB to our test bench and see how they perform.
Ballistix on the Tactical Tracer RGB:
Performance isn’t enough if you want to customize your gaming rig – your system needs to stand out as you’re crushing opponents. Game at high speeds while firing up Ballistix® Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4 gaming memory modules that match your system’s color scheme with RGB LEDs and deliver all the features of the Ballistix Tactical series like XMP profiles, stylish black PCB, and custom heat spreaders.
Technical Specifications
Packaging & Product
Ballistix have packaged the Tactical Tracer RGB in a small plastic carton, with clear sections to allow a glimpse of the modules inside. Capacity, speed and voltage is all listed on the front.
The reverse side of the packet gives information about faster speeds and lower latencies and Intel XMP profiles being preloaded onto the DIMMs.
The “left” side of the modules feature all of the relevant stickers, regarding latency timings, frequencies, serial numbers and safety information. There’s also two plastic pins on each module, these hold the translucent RGB diffuser in place on the top of each module; they can be replaced with 3D Printed alternatives which you can create yourself. Those pins also prevent the modules from moving excessively within the DIMM slots on the motherboard by joining all 4 modules together.
The heatspreaders on each module help to limit any thermal throttling which could occur under extreme usage or in poor airflow areas. They also look excellent in gun-metal grey.
Test Setup
Memory Configurations
Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 3000MHz
3000MHz @ 16-18-18-18-38-69-1T – XMP 2.0
3200MHz @ 16-18-18-18-38-69-1T – Highest reached frequency
Test Setup
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock 4
Processor Ryzen 7 1800X
MotherboardGIGABYTE AORUS AX370-Gaming 5
Graphics Radeon RX 480 8GB
Storage Corsair Force LE 480GB
PSU Corsair RM 750X 80 Plus Gold Certified PSU
Compared against
Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz
Team Dark Pro ‘8 Pack’ 3200MHz
Team Delta RGB 2933MHz
G.SKILL Flare X 3200MHz
G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 3200MHz
HyperX Predator 3200MHz
Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 3000MHz
3000MHz @ 16-18-18-18-38-69-1T – XMP 2.0
3200MHz @ 16-18-18-18-38-69-1T – Highest reached frequency
Test Setup
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock 4
Processor Ryzen 7 1800X
MotherboardGIGABYTE AORUS AX370-Gaming 5
Graphics Radeon RX 480 8GB
Storage Corsair Force LE 480GB
PSU Corsair RM 750X 80 Plus Gold Certified PSU
Compared against
Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz
Team Dark Pro ‘8 Pack’ 3200MHz
Team Delta RGB 2933MHz
G.SKILL Flare X 3200MHz
G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 3200MHz
HyperX Predator 3200MHz
Benchmarks
Cinebench R15 – CPU
SiSoftware SANDRA – Memory bandwidth
AIDA64 – Memory Benchmarks
PCMark 8 – Photoshop
Games – Dawn of War III
SiSoftware SANDRA – Memory bandwidth
AIDA64 – Memory Benchmarks
PCMark 8 – Photoshop
Games – Dawn of War III
Other Software
Temperature Analysis: Aida64/Ryzen Master
System Monitoring and Stress Testing: AIDA64 Stability Test
CPU Specification Monitoring: CPU-Z
System Monitoring and Stress Testing: AIDA64 Stability Test
CPU Specification Monitoring: CPU-Z
Overclocking & Lighting
Lighting is obviously one of the main selling points for this RAM kit, so feast your eyes on the video below for a brief demonstration of what is possible within the Ballistix MOD Utility.Generally, those looking to overclock their memory would buy fewer modules of a higher capacity, putting less strain onto DRAM controllers and reducing signal noise between the CPU and DIMM slots. However, with the included heat spreaders, we decided to see how well they would overclock regardless.
The standard speeds of 3000MHz @ 16-18-18-18-38-69-1T weren’t exactly blisteringly fast compared to some other brands, but it provided us with a decent starting area. We aimed to reach the highest possible frequency without having to slacken any RAM timings and without increasing voltage. Your mileage may vary.
We began by testing our RAM sticks at stock levels to gauge a baseline level of performance, which can be observed in the subsequent pages of this review. We then bumped up the RAM frequency to 3066MHz and stress tested for a short period; again at 3133MHz then 3200MHz. We tried for 3266MHz but encountered instability. Increasing the voltage may well have allowed a higher overclock, but we aimed to stay within the standard 1.35v range.
3200MHz was our overclock, without slackening off any timings.
Stock RAM speed and timings on the left, overclocked on the right
Cinebench showed a small improvement, from 1644 to 1647, but with this being a CPU intensive benchmark, memory performance isn’t really taken into account apart from when gauging the performance of the Infinity Fabric which directly scales with memory frequency.
We then benchmarked AIDA64 Stock vs Overclocked.
As you can see, latency as well as overall memory performance can be improved across the board.
Memory Transfer Performance – AIDA64
AIDA64 Product PageMemory bandwidth benchmarks (Memory Read, Memory Write, Memory Copy) measure the maximum achiveable memory data transfer bandwidth. The code behind these benchmark methods are written in Assembly and they are extremely optimized for every popular AMD, Intel and VIA processor core variants by utilizing the appropriate x86/x64, x87, MMX, MMX+, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE4.1, AVX, and AVX2 instruction set extension.
The Memory Latency benchmark measures the typical delay when the CPU reads data from system memory. Memory latency time means the penalty measured from the issuing of the read command until the data arrives to the integer registers of the CPU.
The Memory Latency benchmark measures the typical delay when the CPU reads data from system memory. Memory latency time means the penalty measured from the issuing of the read command until the data arrives to the integer registers of the CPU.
Bandwidth Performance – SiSoftware SANDRA
SANDRA isn’t always a benchmark that is included in hardware reviews but I believe it shouldn’t be ignored. SANDRA provides a vigorous package that tests your system in a rather large array of benchmarks. There are many aspects of benchmark that can be executed.
Processing Power Performance – Cinebench R15
CINEBENCH can measure systems with up to 64 processor threads. This test scene contains approximately 2,000 objects which in turn contain more than 300,000 polygons in total, and uses sharp and blurred reflections, area lights, shadows, procedural shaders, antialiasing, and much more. The result is displayed in points (pts). The higher the number, the faster your processor.
Image Editing Performance – PCMark 8 Photoshop
PCMark 8 Product Page Developed in partnership with Benchmark Development Program members Acer, AMD, Condusiv Technologies, Dell, HGST, HP, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Samsung, SanDisk, Seagate and Western Digital, PCMark 8 is the latest version in FutureMark’s popular series of PC benchmarking tools. Improving on previous releases, PCMark 8 includes new tests using popular applications from Adobe and Microsoft.
PassMark – Memory Mark
PassMark Performance Test. Fast, easy to use, PC speed testing and benchmarking. PassMark PerformanceTest allows you to objectively benchmark a PC using a variety of different speed tests and compare the results to other computers.
Gaming Performance – Dawn of War III
To test out the benefit of faster memory in a real world scenario, we have taken a recent game and created a CPU limited scenario by reducing the resolution and graphics settings to minimum, while setting the CPU dependent settings at their highest.
Conclusion
The Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB modules look excellent without the RGB lighting; the gunmetal heatspreaders with ridges and ‘Tactical’ markings add a manly, military look. Switching on the RGB lighting just improved things further, especially with some of the more extravagant effects. We feel there are very few motherboards that this RAM wouldn’t look good installed in.Ballistix, a Micron company, are globally recognised for their top-spec products and excellent quality. The Tracer RGB is no exception, with a solid feel to each memory module. Attention to detail certainly isn’t lacking.
Overclocking was a resounding success, despite only achieving 200MHz higher than stock, that’s still an impressive feat for 4 modules. We didn’t attempt to add any extra voltage or slacken off any timings but we’re certain extra performance is available for an enthusiast who wants those benchmark screenshots.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a 3D printer, Ballistix Gaming provide the necessary files for you to produce your own RGB lighting strips, with the provided pieces being removable.
Out of the box performance and compatibility wasn’t even an issue, we saw results exactly where we expected and were perfectly happy with the results. Sadly, the slack timings did hamper performance ever so slightly, but nothing you would notice in day-to-day usage.
All of that being said, we do have some qualms about the price. £450 for 32GB of 3000MHz DDR4 is a touch on the pricey side. Alternative memory kits of equivalent capacity with equal or tighter timings are available at less cost. We may see launch pricing drop quickly, but be sure to look around for a good deal.
If you’re looking for an RGB enabled DDR4 memory kit, the Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB will look great in the case and provide plenty of performance for the most demanding games and applications.
Pros
+ RGB lighting is lovely
+ Sticks look great and should suit most builds
+ Good performance right out the box
+ Decent overclocking
+ MOD utility works well
+ Lifetime Warranty
+ 3D Printed parts allow customisation
Cons
– Price
– Standard timings could be tighter compared to competition
+ RGB lighting is lovely
+ Sticks look great and should suit most builds
+ Good performance right out the box
+ Decent overclocking
+ MOD utility works well
+ Lifetime Warranty
+ 3D Printed parts allow customisation
Cons
– Price
– Standard timings could be tighter compared to competition
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