G.Skill TridentX 4x8GB DDR3-2666 CL12 1.65V Review
Category : DDR3
Published by Hiwa Pouri on 06.08.14
As it usually happens, when a first batch of new architecture CPUs rolls out of the factory, memory manufacturers are already there blazing with refreshed products to come by. However, it does not automatically eliminate the older models out of the market. As such, the DDR3-2666 CL12 version of G.Skill’s TridentX is still interesting enough for us to test although quite some time has passed after the initial release.
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| Manufacturer | G.SKILL |
| Series | Trident X |
| Part Number | F3-2666C12Q-32GTXD |
| Type | DDR3 |
| Capacity | 32 GB (4 x 8GB) |
| Frequency | 2'666 MHz |
| Timings | 12-13-13-35 |
| VDIMM | 1.65 Volt |
| Registred/Unbuffered | Unbuffered |
| ECC | No |
| Cooling | Passive Heatspreader |
| Waranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Package Type | Boxed |
Looking at the specs, it's not hard to see why this memory had attracted our attention. Only a handful of 8GB module variations will safely run DDR3-2666 with timings of 12-13-13-35, which is simply excellent in the case of a 32GB kit. Honestly, we didn't expect the progress to go so far so quickly.
Closer Look
The top model in the Trident X series is shipped in its own cardboard box enclosed with an additional two-fan cooling unit.
Heatspeaders of Trident-X are finished in a blend of red and black, which is likely to fit with quite a few motherboard models out there. G.Skill is really fair on their warranty terms, since you're allowed to remove and repaint the top part of the heatspreader; apparently without losing warranty. Removing the top can also be helpful to fit the DIMMs under certain large CPU aircoolers.
G.Skills TridentX series still looks and feels exactly the same like about two years ago, when they were first introduced. If you like the quality and the looks of these sticks that's definitely a good thing, but not if you do not. It's always the same discussion with design, some people love it others hate it. We personally believe G.Skill did well not touching the design of their TridentX series, but still we would have loved to see some color variations.
Taking the heatspeaders off Trident-X series is not something we would recommend doing at home due to strong adhesive that requires a very careful approach.
As our modules are dual-sided and the middle part of serial numbers reads - 2400 -, some online knowledge suggests that maker of the chips is Hynix. Looking at their dimensions, we conclude that the exact IC under heatspreader is MFR.
The SPD module of the modules contains some basic information such as maker, part number and manufacturing date. It also features JEDEC profiles up to DDR3-1333, that are obligatory to make the memory work out-of-the-box, as well as an XMP profile up to its rated speeds at a change of just one BIOS option.
Detailed overview of the top JEDEC profile and the XMP can be seen on screenshots below.
Photo Gallery
Test Setup
In order to thoroughly test memory as well as memory kits, we're making use of Intels Haswell platform in combination with a highly binned Core i7-4770K CPU. This allows use to drive memory at highest possible frequencies and therefore do proper scaling tests. Different memory chips (ICs) have different sweet spots in the case of primary timings, which is why we're altering CAS latency, tRCD, tRP as well as tRAS. Overall we build five different presets, which - as explained - can be different from IC to IC used on a memory module. Other than that we're also changing DRAM voltages, wheras we're setting 1.35V, 1.50V, 1.65V and 1.85V. There are actually reasons why we're using these voltages. 1.35V is commonly used on ultra low voltage memory modules (ECO) and low voltage memory makes use of 1.50V. 1.65V is the value recommended by Intel and 1.85V is used for overclocking capability testing. Last but not least it remains to be explained how we find out whether a certain setting is stable or not. For that purpose we're running HyperPi.| Motherboard | ASUS Maximus VII Formula (BIOS 0603) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-4770K ES |
| Graphic card | ASUS GTX 580 |
| Memory | F3-2666C12Q-32GTXD |
| SSD | Samsung 845DC EVO 960GB |
| PSU | Seasonic Platinum 660 Watts |
| OS | Windows 7, 64 bit SP1 |
CAS latency 9 / 9-12-12-35
We start to test tightest possible CAS latency with Double-sided Hynix MFR which is CL9. Setting the memory voltage at 1.35V in the BIOS HyperPi passed at 1'700 MHz. Feeding higher voltage (1.5V) to the memory, makes the frequency scale to 1'916 MHz. Driving the memory at 1.65V allowed HyperPi to pass at 2'133 MHz and at 1.85V 2'306 MHz were possible.
CAS latency 10 / 10-12-12-35
When running CL10 we went through the same procedure like with CL9. Setting the memory voltage at 1.35V in the BIOS HyperPi passed at 1'867 MHz. Feeding higher voltage (1.5V) to the memory, makes the frequency scale to 2'052 MHz. Driving the memory at 1.65V allowed HyperPi to pass at 2'310 MHz and at 1.85V 2'512 MHz were possible.
CAS latency 11 / 11-13-13-35
When running CL11 we went through the same procedure like with CL10. Setting the memory voltage at 1.35V in the BIOS HyperPi passed at 1'957 MHz. Feeding higher voltage (1.5V) to the memory, makes the frequency scale to 2'244 MHz. Driving the memory at 1.65V allowed HyperPi to pass at 2'600 MHz and at 1.85V 2'678 MHz were possible.
CAS latency 12 / 12-13-13-35
When running CL12 we went through the same procedure like with CL11. Setting the memory voltage at 1.35V in the BIOS HyperPi passed at 2'265 MHz. Feeding higher voltage (1.5V) to the memory, makes the frequency scale to 2'449 MHz. Driving the memory at 1.65V allowed HyperPi to pass at 2'750 MHz and at 1.85V 2'828 MHz were possible.
CL 12-13-13-35 are stock timings for this memory. G.Skill specifies this kit to run stable at 2'666 MHz and as you can see from our graph, the kit lying in front of us, is capable of doing 84 MHz more than advertised.
CAS latency 13 / 13-15-15-35
When running CL13 we went through the same procedure like with CL12. Setting the memory voltage at 1.35V in the BIOS HyperPi passed at 2'462 MHz. Feeding higher voltage (1.5V) to the memory, makes the frequency scale to 2'544 MHz. Driving the memory at 1.65V allowed HyperPi to pass at 2'830 MHz and at 1.85V 2'875 MHz were possible.
Keeping in mind this is a 32 Gigabyte memory kit with a total of four sticks in the box 2'830 MHz at (only) 1.65V is simply astonishing.
Overclocking
With this case it was quite easy to even brake through the 3.0 GHz barrier. For that purpose we had to feed the modules with 1.75V. Running SuperPi we gave the memory 1.85V in BIOS, which was good for 2'855 MHz. 2'800 MHz, that's what was possible when running HyperPi with the memory at 1.65V.
Conclusion
| General | + | - | |
| Overall the G.SKILL TridentX F3-2666C12Q-32GTXD is a very pleasant surprise. It is a competitively priced 32GB high frequency memory kit aimed at high-end market. We could run low voltage easily with different latency settings and the kit passed HyperPi stability test several times without any error at exceptionally high frequencies. G.SKILL also includes a Dual LED Fan cooler named Turbulence II which is sufficient to cool the DIMMs even at 3.0 GHz. Apart from all the performance aspects there is the design and build quality of the heatspreader. G.Skill never touched the design of their TridentX series and therefore these modules are still kept in black and red, which makes them most suitable for either black motherboards or boards with black and red color scheme. Build quality is actually good but this being a high-end kit, it could be even higher. |
- Low Voltage stability
- Heat spreader quality - Additional Memory Cooler |
- Compatibility with big coolers | |
| Scaling | + | - | |
| With CL9 as well as CL10 we see almost linear scaling even with 1.85V, which is basically the best you can get. Having a closer look at CL11, CL12 and CL13 we see there is a negative progression in scaling, when setting 1.85 Volt. This means, that we're closing in on the limits of these chips. Once again we have to say, that this is a very well scaling and also very well performing kit. | - Scaling CL9 - Scaling CL10 | ||
| Overclocking | + | - | |
| Using the Maximus VII Formula and our specific memory testing CPU, that has quite a good IMC, reaching 3000 MHz (CL13-15-15-35) was actually easy. Keeping in mind this is a kit of four 8GB, double-sided MFR DIMMs, these results are simply excellent. Lower the latency to CL10 makes the memory reach 2'860 MHz, which again is definitely an achievement in the case of a 32GB kit. |
- 3.0+ GHz - 2.8+ GHz @ CL10 |
||
| Recommendation / Price | + | - | |
| Checking Geizhals.at for prices we find the G.Skill TridentX 32GB, DDR3-2666, CL12-13-13-35 kit listed for 310 Euro. Therefore this kit is not only performing very well it even features a highly competitive price tag. If you're looking for high-end, 32GB memory kit, then you should definitely consider this one. |
- Price
- Overclocking - Gaming and workstation PC |
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| Rating | |||
| The TridentX F3-2666C12Q-32GTXD from G.SKILL receives excellent 5 out of 5 stars. | |||
