ADATA XPG v1.0 Black DDR3-1600 CL9 Memory
| Author: Zahn Funk | |
| Editor: Shawn Knight | |
| Date: 11-25-2013 | |
| Provided by: ADATA | |
Introduction
Despite being around for more than six years now, DDR3 memory remains the standard desktop module type in use today. It may be another year before DDR4 begins to filter into the marketplace and with manufacturers pushing DDR3 speed far beyond the 2133 ceiling, it may be even longer until it is completely supplanted. Check any component retailer and you'll likely find DDR3-1600 is still the most abundant and commonly sold memory type to date. No surprise then that ADATA sent over a 2 x 4GB kit of their XPG v1.0 Black DDR3-1600 memory for review.
While maybe not as readily identifiable with enthusiast memory as names like Corsair, Mushkin or G.SKILL, ADATA is certainly no stranger to the field. Indeed one look at their present offerings, particularly their XPG v2 line with speeds hitting 2600, 2800 and even 3100 should indicate that they take performance seriously. In addition to the XPG v1 and v2 series, ADATA also has a Gaming v2 line with heavy duty double-height heat sinks designed to run at high loads for extended periods without overheating.
But as mentioned previously, DDR3-1600 remains the near de facto standard for most desktop users, particularly with previous generation processors that don't support the higher speeds. It's to those folks that ADATA tailored their XPG v1 modules in either Blue, Black or Red series. All ADATA memory comes packaged in a plastic clamshell with the modules fully visible on the front and some product info available on the back. The back also has perforated edges and a pull tab to make opening easier.
Join us as we take a closer look at the ADATA XPG v1.0 2 x 4GB Black DDR3-1600 memory kit.
While maybe not as readily identifiable with enthusiast memory as names like Corsair, Mushkin or G.SKILL, ADATA is certainly no stranger to the field. Indeed one look at their present offerings, particularly their XPG v2 line with speeds hitting 2600, 2800 and even 3100 should indicate that they take performance seriously. In addition to the XPG v1 and v2 series, ADATA also has a Gaming v2 line with heavy duty double-height heat sinks designed to run at high loads for extended periods without overheating.
But as mentioned previously, DDR3-1600 remains the near de facto standard for most desktop users, particularly with previous generation processors that don't support the higher speeds. It's to those folks that ADATA tailored their XPG v1 modules in either Blue, Black or Red series. All ADATA memory comes packaged in a plastic clamshell with the modules fully visible on the front and some product info available on the back. The back also has perforated edges and a pull tab to make opening easier.
Join us as we take a closer look at the ADATA XPG v1.0 2 x 4GB Black DDR3-1600 memory kit.
Specifications
Years ago it may have been common to find lower capacity 1-2GB modules that sported 8-8-8 timings with higher 1.65v-1.8v voltage, but most DDR3-1600 available today in 4-8GB sizes call for 9-9-9 at a much lower 1.5v which is actually the JEDEC voltage specification for DDR3. The Black modules represent a middle of the road position between the slower CL11 Blue series also in DDR3-1600 and the faster DDR3-1866 and 2133 speeds of the CL10 Red series. All three are available in either 2 x 4GB or 2 x 8GB capacities and share the same black PCB with only the aluminum heatspreader differing in color.
In comparison, the XPG v2 and Gaming modules offer extended height heatspreaders and 2oz copper 8-layer PCB. In addition to those 1600, 1866 and 2133 speeds shared with the v1, they are also available in faster 2400 and 2600, and in the case of XPG v2, 2800, 2933, 3000 and 3100 speeds. Price-wise, there does not seem to be much variation between the different ratings, at least until getting above the standard 2133 DDR3 ceiling. Stepping up to 2400 or 2600 requires laying out roughly 10-30 percent more, while going above that commands an exponential increase in cost. But staying within the limits of the XPG v1 range they are all about equal in price so the choice comes down to what speed your system supports.
Let's get the ADATA XPG v1.0 Black memory kit installed and see how it performs.
In comparison, the XPG v2 and Gaming modules offer extended height heatspreaders and 2oz copper 8-layer PCB. In addition to those 1600, 1866 and 2133 speeds shared with the v1, they are also available in faster 2400 and 2600, and in the case of XPG v2, 2800, 2933, 3000 and 3100 speeds. Price-wise, there does not seem to be much variation between the different ratings, at least until getting above the standard 2133 DDR3 ceiling. Stepping up to 2400 or 2600 requires laying out roughly 10-30 percent more, while going above that commands an exponential increase in cost. But staying within the limits of the XPG v1 range they are all about equal in price so the choice comes down to what speed your system supports.
Let's get the ADATA XPG v1.0 Black memory kit installed and see how it performs.
Installation
I'll be installing the ADATA DDR3-1600 kit with the following hardware:
Intel i7 4770K Haswell
Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
2 x 4GB ADATA XPG Black DDR3-1600
SilverStone Tundra TD02 AIO Cooler
240GB Kingston HyperX 3K SSD
2 x 1TB HDD RAID1
LG Hitachi 8X Blu-Ray Burner
Icy Dock 2�" to 3�" Adapter
SilverStone Strider Gold 650W
SilverStone RAVEN 4 Case
Windows 8.1 Professional
CPU-Z's SPD tab reveals several sets of timings for the Black modules, however not all appear to be visible. Only settings for #3, #4 and #5 JEDEC specs are shown, as well as an XMP profile that matches the module specification sticker. Leaving the BIOS settings on Auto, the modules boot at DDR3-1333 with 9-9-9 timings. Switching to the XMP profile pushes the speed slightly to DDR3-1600 at the same 9-9-9. Note that although SPD lists a CMD rate of 2T the modules were manually set to 1T which seems to run more stable with this particular system.
Let's fire up some benchmarks to see how the ADATA XPG Black performs.
Intel i7 4770K Haswell
Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
2 x 4GB ADATA XPG Black DDR3-1600
SilverStone Tundra TD02 AIO Cooler
240GB Kingston HyperX 3K SSD
2 x 1TB HDD RAID1
LG Hitachi 8X Blu-Ray Burner
Icy Dock 2�" to 3�" Adapter
SilverStone Strider Gold 650W
SilverStone RAVEN 4 Case
Windows 8.1 Professional
CPU-Z's SPD tab reveals several sets of timings for the Black modules, however not all appear to be visible. Only settings for #3, #4 and #5 JEDEC specs are shown, as well as an XMP profile that matches the module specification sticker. Leaving the BIOS settings on Auto, the modules boot at DDR3-1333 with 9-9-9 timings. Switching to the XMP profile pushes the speed slightly to DDR3-1600 at the same 9-9-9. Note that although SPD lists a CMD rate of 2T the modules were manually set to 1T which seems to run more stable with this particular system.
Let's fire up some benchmarks to see how the ADATA XPG Black performs.
Testing
The first set of tests I ran through at ADATA's specified XMP profile.
As you can see from the benchmarks, DDR3-1600 at 9-9-9 timings yields average, but certainly not spectacular performance. Given the AIDA64 results it appears there's nothing amiss; the memory performs right where it's supposed to in the range between 1600 and 1866 speeds. In the SiSoft benchmarks you can see how performance compares to the Kingston HyperX DDR3-2133 we tested last month at both 2133 and 1866, represented by the blue and green bars on the graph. While falling behind on the first two tests, the ADATA 1600 appears to show an advantage on the Transaction Throughput, however this is likely skewed by the CPU overclock of 4.3Ghz compared to the other tests ran at stock settings. Speaking of overclocking, let's see if this ADATA Black can hit any higher than DDR3-1600.
Leaving all timing settings at Auto, other than voltage which was set to 1.65v, we were able to boot into Windows at up to DDR3-2400 speed. That just seems crazy for DDR3-1600 rated memory! As we would come to find out through load testing however, we couldn't maintain that speed error-free. DDR3-2200 was definitely more stable, but still not quite perfect. However DDR3-2133 performed flawlessly, and in fact we were able to reduce the timings even further from their Auto settings, to ADATA's own Red series specs of 10-11-11 with a CMD of 1T.
After re-running the benchmarks at the overclocked DDR3-2133 speed, we see a huge improvement in performance overall. Although still not quite matching up to Kingston's HyperX 2133 results, the overclocked ADATA 1600 comes a lot closer in speed and bandwidth, while easily beating it out in latency thanks to the lower timing values.
Let's wrap things up with some final thoughts and conclusion.
As you can see from the benchmarks, DDR3-1600 at 9-9-9 timings yields average, but certainly not spectacular performance. Given the AIDA64 results it appears there's nothing amiss; the memory performs right where it's supposed to in the range between 1600 and 1866 speeds. In the SiSoft benchmarks you can see how performance compares to the Kingston HyperX DDR3-2133 we tested last month at both 2133 and 1866, represented by the blue and green bars on the graph. While falling behind on the first two tests, the ADATA 1600 appears to show an advantage on the Transaction Throughput, however this is likely skewed by the CPU overclock of 4.3Ghz compared to the other tests ran at stock settings. Speaking of overclocking, let's see if this ADATA Black can hit any higher than DDR3-1600.
Leaving all timing settings at Auto, other than voltage which was set to 1.65v, we were able to boot into Windows at up to DDR3-2400 speed. That just seems crazy for DDR3-1600 rated memory! As we would come to find out through load testing however, we couldn't maintain that speed error-free. DDR3-2200 was definitely more stable, but still not quite perfect. However DDR3-2133 performed flawlessly, and in fact we were able to reduce the timings even further from their Auto settings, to ADATA's own Red series specs of 10-11-11 with a CMD of 1T.
After re-running the benchmarks at the overclocked DDR3-2133 speed, we see a huge improvement in performance overall. Although still not quite matching up to Kingston's HyperX 2133 results, the overclocked ADATA 1600 comes a lot closer in speed and bandwidth, while easily beating it out in latency thanks to the lower timing values.
Let's wrap things up with some final thoughts and conclusion.
Conclusion
The ADATA 2x4GB XPG v1 Black at first glance appears to be nothing more than your average, ordinary DDR3-1600 9-9-9 1.5v memory kit. Sure, it's got a black PCB and a tastefully attractive matching black heatspreader. Depending on whether you manage to catch this kit on sale or pay regular retail price, which currently looks to be around $80, will likely be the determining factor in whether you feel you got a good deal or not. After all, there's a multitude of other manufacturers offering similarly-priced memory kits in the 1600, 1866 and even 2133 speeds. And there's even some 2400 rated sticks that are only a few dollars more.
However judging by our overclocking results, it seems that the XPG Black may in fact be more of a wolf in sheep's clothing. This lowly DDR3-1600 kit would boot to Windows at up to DDR3-2400 speed with just the typical 1.65 voltage and at Auto specified timings of 10-14-14. Perhaps by playing around with the values some more we may have gotten that speed 100 percent stable. Even reducing it to the Red series specs of 10-11-11 at 2133 is a huge improvement over the default XMP profile settings and easily attained with some manual adjustment.
If you can find this kit at a good price, or if your current system is limited to DDR3-1600 compatibility but you plan on upgrading soon, the ADATA XPG v1 Black makes for a great buy since it can be easily tweaked higher. But if you want or need guaranteed 2133 or higher speeds out of the box with just a simple profile selection, the XPG Red or v2 series is your better bet and readily available for not a whole lot more money.
OCIA.net awards the ADATA XPG v1 Black DDR3-1600 memory kit our Silver Seal of Approval.
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