Memory

G.SKILL Trident Z RGB Review

Tony Le Bourne
September 3, 2017 9 Min Read
3 0

G.SKILL’s high performance memory with XMP settings specifically to get the best out of the latest Intel platforms, now, this high-performance memory comes with added RGB LEDs with ASUS Aura Sync support.


Product on Review: G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 3200MHz C14
Manufacturer: G.SKILL
Street Price: 3200MHz C14 kit
Dual-Channel (16GB): UK: £220 / US: $210
Quad-Channel (32GB): UK: £420 / US: $405

Trident Z is G.SKILLs premium memory module series that has been created for enthusiast overclockers to get the best possible results from the memory performance, as highlighted previously. This is done by cherry picking memory ICs and fitting them to a custom made 10 layer PCB for maximum signal stability, reliability, and compatibility. The XMP settings has been optimised for Intel processors, though, there is no reason why they won’t work fine on other platforms. The Trident Z RGB memory modules have, of course, been upgraded with a fluid, full range RGB LED bar that is supported both by ASUS Aura Sync, and by their own software so users can get the customisation they need to fit their system and preference. G.SKILL has made the Trident Z RGB available in huge selection of capacities, frequencies and timings, Ranging from 2x 8GB Dual-Channel kits, to 8x 16GB 2x Quad-Channel kits for HEDT platforms.



Overview by G.SKILL
Featuring a completely exposed light bar with vibrant RGB LEDs, merged with the award-winning Trident Z heatspreader design, and constructed with the highest quality components, the Trident Z RGB DDR4 memory kit combines the most vivid RGB lighting with uncompromised performance.

Technical Specifications

Series: Trident Z RGB
Memory Type: DDR4
Capacity: 32GB (8GBx4)
Multi-Channel Kit: Dual/Quad Channel Kit
Tested Speed: 3200MHz
Tested Latency: 14-14-14-34
Tested Voltage: 1.35v
Registered/Unbuffered : Unbuffered
Error Checking: Non-ECC
SPD Speed: 2133MHz
SPD Voltage: 1.20v
Fan lncluded: No
Height: 44 mm / 1.73 inch
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Features: Intel XMP 2.0 (Extreme Memory Profile) Ready
Additional Notes: Rated XMP frequency & stability depends on MB & CPU capability.

Packaging & Product


The packaging is clean with a sleek image of the product showing off the colourful RGB lighting, there is also a small window showing off the product too, giving a look at the sleek, brushed aluminium headsink. At the bottom there is clear indication of support for ASUS Aura Sync and support for Intel CPUs.


The reverise side shows the specifications of the particular memory kit, along with an overview of the Trident Z series.


This quad-channel kit will sit nicely in your X299 system, though there is no reason why users couldn’t also use this with a X399 system instead.


The heatsinks are fairly thick, and are attached by thermal adhesive, with a small lip overhanging on the LED bar to hold it in place.


The heatsinks measure 44mm high, which isn’t super tall, but some CPU coolers may not be compatible.


The RGB lighting is very vibrant and the bar on top acts as a diffuser, spreading and mixing the colours fluidly. As the Trident Z RGB is compatible with ASUS Aura Sync, there are some advanced effects available, however, if you do not have an ASUS motherboard, you can download the software from G.SKILL to enable custom effects, however, be warned that it may conflict with other LED control APPs.

Test Setup

Memory Configurations
‘G.SKILL Trident Z RGB DDR4 3200MHz’
2666MHz @ 12-12-12-12-28-56-1T
2933MHz @ 12-12-12-12-28-56-1T – Highest CL12

2666MHz @ 14-14-14-14-32-58-1T
2933MHz @ 14-14-14-14-32-58-1T
3200MHz @ 14-14-14-14-34-58-1T – XMP 2.0
3333MHz @ 14-14-14-14-32-58-1T – Highest Frequency Reached


2666MHz @ 16-16-16-16-36-62-1T
2933MHz @ 16-16-16-16-36-62-1T
3200MHz @ 16-16-16-16-36-62-1T
3333MHz @ 16-16-16-16-36-62-1T – Highest Frequency Reached


Test Setup
Cooling Corsair Hydro H115i
MotherboardASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero
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


Benchmarks
Cinebench R15 – CPU
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

Overclocking


The Trident Z RGB has a very tight XMP setting of C14, but can be tightened further to C12 up to around 3000MHz, and can reach 3333MHz at C14. Many of the Trident Z memory modules are known to use Samsung B-Die ICs, however it seems unlikely that anything 3200MHz or lower in the Trident Z RGB range will be using them. This makes sense considering our overclocking results in comparison to the Team Dark Pro ‘8 Ball’, or the G.SKILL Flare X kit which easily reach the maximum speed allowed by our CPU’s IMC (3422MHz) and can reach 3733MHz+. We are unable to remove the heatsinks to take a look at the ICs, but it is likely that we are dealing with Hynix – A or M Die here.


Memory Transfer Performance – AIDA64

AIDA64 Product Page
Memory 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.






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


As far as performance memory goes, G.SKILL are a top choice for enthusiasts due to their reliability and readiness to slip in high-performance ICs into their memory modules. Though, if you are looking for a high-performance RGB memory kit, you may have felt like you are at a loss? Not anymore, G.SKILL have Trident Z RGB memory at ridiculously high frequencies and in a whole range of capacities which are waiting to light up your system.



There is little point in us mentioning alternatives in regards to non-RGB LED memory kits, if you are not a fan of RGB lighting, then you will undoubtedly not be interested in this memory kit. It is no secret either that you will likely be able to find a better overclocking kit guaranteed to be using Samsung B-Die ICs for around the same price as you would expect to pay for an equivalent Trident Z RGB kit. So your wallet will be taking a hit if you want RGB memory modules combined with blazing fast frequencies. That being said, G.SKILL are offing ultra-high performance RGB memory modules, and if you simply must have them, you will not be disappointed by the vibrant colours and the special effects afforded by the ASUS Aura Sync. There is an added benefit of a dedicated software download too, giving control of the Trident Z RGB lighting, so you won’t be left out should you not own an ASUS motherboard. However, it is in BETA, and there are known conflicts with other RGB LED control APPs and until there is an industry standard for RGB lighting effects across all brands/products (I think that time will come soon) there will always be a need to dance between different APPs to get your setup exactly how you want it.

If you enjoy RGB LED lighting but also want a non-compromise, high-performance memory solution, G.SKILL have the answer with the Trident Z RGB.

Pros
+ Aggressively timed XMP Setting (optimised for Intel CPUs)
+ Vibrant RGB lighting + ASUS Aura Sync support
+ Dual/Quad-channel kits available in 16-128GB capacities, up to 4266MHz
+ Decent overclock potential
+ Lifetime Warranty

Cons
– Expensive

Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.

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Tony Le Bourne