G.Skill TridentX Review: 2x4GB at DDR3-2666 C11-13-13 1.65V
by Ian Cutress on October 28, 2012 12:00 PM ESTMetro2033
Metro2033 is a DX11 benchmark that challenges every system that tries to run it at any high-end settings. Developed by 4A Games and released in March 2010, we use the inbuilt DirectX 11 Frontline benchmark to test the hardware at 1920x1080 with full graphical settings. Results are given as the average frame rate from 4 runs.
Our Metro2033 IGP results seem to mirror the expectations shown from the MemTweakIt results, albeit by a factor of a 1/2 (MemTweakIt predicts 20% gain over 1333 C9, we only see a 10% gain).
Civilization V
Civilization V is a strategy video game that utilizes a significant number of the latest GPU features and software advances. Using the in-game benchmark, we run Civilization V at 1920x1080 with full graphical settings, similar to Ryan in his GPU testing functionality. Results reported by the benchmark are the total number of frames in sixty seconds, which we normalize to frames per second.
Despite the expected difference the 2666 C11 kit should give according to MemTweakIt and Metro2033, we actually fall behind the 2400C10 kit by a very small margin. Overall however we are only getting a ~6.7% gain in frame rates over 1333 C9 for that 127% increase in price.
Dirt 3
Dirt 3 is a rallying video game and the third in the Dirt series of the Colin McRae Rally series, developed and published by Codemasters. Using the in game benchmark, Dirt 3 is run at 1920x1080 with Ultra Low graphical settings. Results are reported as the average frame rate across four runs.
Dirt 3 results seem a little at odds with what we have expected – moving from 2133 C9 to 2400 C10 caused a decrease in frame rates, whereas 2133 C9 to 2666 C11 caused an increase. Nonetheless the biggest gains over 1333 C9 seem to be with 1600 C9 and 1866 C9. Any memory kit above that is a miniscule raise at best.
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OCN's_3930k - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
$600 for 2800CL11? Hell no.xTRICKYxx - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
Yeah, that price really stuck out! Obviously G-Skill knows the price is ridiculous but its not a popular product....formulav8 - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
Yeah what a big fat waste, for well, about anything. Should at least see how a nice IGP like Trinity or something responds to that kind of ram. CPU's are content with 1600mhz/1333mhz ram quite strongly. I just don't understand the purpose of this review myself. But there must be others that do or it wouldn't be done?DDR4 - Monday, November 12, 2012 - link
Get your mom to buy it for u :)mfenn - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
Calling an IGP test with $170 memory kits "real world" is ridiculous. What gamer spends $170 on memory and nothing on the GPU?sicofante - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
Even on an IGP the gain from faster memory is significant in very particular scenarios, but you're definitely right: where are the results using a proper GPU? I bet they show this trend of ever faster and more expensive memory is ridiculous and its ROI is close to non-existent beyond 1600MHz cheap and ordinary memory.sicofante - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
I meant ONLY in very particular scenarios.JlHADJOE - Monday, October 29, 2012 - link
I replied much the same thing when they tested the 2400 kit.I'd rather have 1333 DDR3 and a $100 GPU, instead of 2600 DDR3 and APU graphics.
just4U - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
It does not appear to be all about the speed it can hit. That's only a part of the selling point (i think) but also the lower command rates that can be achieved accross the spectrum of speeds. This is key.Really am liking your memory articles Ian. I'd love to know just how low this ram can go. I hear things like Cas6/7 at more modest speeds.. from users but I haven't had the oportunity to play with any of the TridentX memory yet so I don't really know.
just4U - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
The heatsinks really do tick me off though..