Memory by stefan @ 2012-04-20
The Black Dragon PC3-17000 2133MHz C10 16GB is a high-end memory kit from GeIL which does not feature heatspreaders, has been tested in the proprietary DBT process for maximum reliability and are a delight when installed in cases with plexiglass side windows, thanks to the burning eyes and dragon design on the laterals.
At first I would like to thank GeIL and Freaks 4U for offering a sample of their Black Dragon PC3-1700 2133MHz C10 16GB Memork Kit for testing and reviewing.
"GeIL – Golden Emperor Int'l Ltd. – one of the worlds' leading IT (memory module & CE) manufacturers that concentrates in designing the most innovative product for consumers in a wide range of market segments.
Our business model is based on a lifelong commitment to customer satisfaction. GeIL is determined to produce the most advanced product with absolutely the lowest rate of return for every GeIL customer to receive the quality, performance and dependability they deserve.
Established in 1993, GeIL has soon become one of the most professional memory module manufactures in the industry. Since then GeIL has been concentrating in memory module design and manufacturing. As of today, our manufacturing facilities employ over 200 people and produce a wide variety of modules with distribution in over 50 countries worldwide. GeIL’s Global Headquarter resides in the heart of computer technology – Taipei with branches spreading over in Hong Kong, China and U.S.A.
GeIL understand in order to succeed in the DRAM industry, IC testing and sorting is one of the keys. 100% designed and made by GeIL's strategic R&D for production technology, the EVO III Fully Automatic IC Tester was born in 2006 to maximize the quality and performance of each IC used for GeIL memory module. GeILs' effort in further enhancing the reliability of memory products was realized with the Die-hard Burn-in Technology (DBT) introduced in 2008. The dynamic and efficient testing nature of the DBT Chamber is allowing such burn-in technology to be used on every GeIL memory module to ensure the highest possible reliability for user of all levels. This is just the beginning."
For years, the DDR2 Black Dragon gaming memory has been one of the most popular choice of memories when it comes to PC gaming and GeIL remains active in the gaming communities. Now GeIL is proud to announce the return of the Black Dragon Gaming Memory Series in DDR3 form. Like its' predecessor, the DDR3 Black Dragon utilize dynamically tested IC for performance, customized 8-layer Black Dragon PCB for low power noise and DBT (Die-hard Burn-in Technology) tested modules for maximum reliability, the DDR3 Black Dragon is the choice when it comes to hardcore PC gaming.
- 16GB(4GBx4) Quad Channel Package
- CAS: 10-11-11-30
- 240 pin, Non-ECC, Un-buffered DIMM
- Working Voltage: 1.5V
- Heat Spreader?8 Lays Custom Black Dragon PCB with LED
- DBT ?Die-hard Burn-in Technology) Enhanced
- Lifetime Warranty
The burn-in process is realized frequently in electronic components as a form of reliability engineering. This operation stresses the components at high temperatures and sometimes higher voltage too. The intention is to detect and eliminate components that could fail early, for improving the overall product quality and user satisfaction. In the DRAM industry, the burn-in process has been used so far in the most expenside server DIMMs or memory with military specifications.
The reviewed modules feature GeILs’ Die-hard Burn-in Technology, which is conducted in proprietary burn-in chamber named DBT-1.
Inside the device, 1000 pieces of modules are slotted onto the own-designed module interface and DRAM controller boards. Afterwards, the modules are dynamically tested by own-designed software simultaneously.
DBT-1 can up the testing temperature to 100 degrees Celsius, with a burn-in period of as long as 24 hours. This process is meant to eliminate early-failure memory and provides users with the highest quality memory products.
The Black Dragon memory kit from GeIL comes packed in a small enclosure with a nice boxart; some wings of the represented dragon are transparent, so we could see a portion of the modules, without the need of opening the package beforehand:
On the back, we can see two additional plastic transparent windows through which we can see the specification stickers on the modules; an additional sticker is also placed on the enclosure itself, with the same information:
Some warning messages are located on a small leaflet, inside the box:
The modules are packaged two-by-two, in plastic casings:
The Black Dragon series do not feature a heatspreader, but has some golden accents resembling two dragons and with the black PCB, the modules look very nice even when not in operation:
The eyes of the dragons are represented by some small SMD LEDs:
The memory chips are from Hynix and come with the product code H5TQ2G83BFR, 2Gb DDR3 SDRAMs:
On the back of the modules, we can see the same black PCB, but this time without the “dragon” design:
The sticker which could be seen from the outside is present here, which lets us know about the module speed rating, CAS latencies, SKU, the rated voltage and some serial numbers:
Here is how the modules do look installed inside the testbench, with the computer off:
When turning the system on, the beast is unleashed and the dragon eyes start to burn; the effect looks best during night time, with all lights off in the room:
CPU : Intel I5 2500K Retail
CPU Cooler: Noctua U12P SE2
Motherboard : ASRock P67 Extreme6
RAM : GeIL Black Dragon PC3-1700 C10 16GB
Video : Sparkle X460 Calibre 1GB
Power Supply : Cooler Master 850W
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10
Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840
During the tests, the CPU speed was set at 3.3GHz and Turbo was disabled in UEFI. Testing the memory at the stock settings occurred without problems, and the timings could be further tightened at the same 2133MHz speed:
CPU-Z Validation
The pre-programmed timings and frequencies can be also found by using AIDA64:
The high-end Black Dragon 2133MHz 16GB memory kit from GeIL works as advertised and allows us to tighten the timings further, at the same stock speed. Setting the voltage to 1.65 seemed not to make any difference in stability if we wanted to tighten the timings even further.
Because of the lack of heatspreaders, maximum CPU heatsink compatibility is ensured, and to spice things a little bit, GeIL has included a golden dragon design along with some red SMD LEDs, which act as burning eyes.
The price of the Black Dragon PC3-1700 2133Mhz 16GB memory modules as communicated by GeIL is around € 109.90, not more expensive than the other 16GB 2133MHz kits on the market, but the availability is not very good at the moment.
I would like to thank again to GeIL and Freaks 4U for making this review possible!