Memory by stefan @ 2012-10-03
The EVO Leggera series from GeIL comes with a low-height heat sink model, colored in Turquoise Blue, offering maximum compatibility with CPU coolers. The 2133MHz 32GB C11 model we have tested, even if it is rated at 1.65V, it also runs perfectly at 1.5V. The kit also overclocks quite well at the rated voltage, so we could reach 2200MHz without a lot of effort.
At first I would like to thank GeIL and Freaks 4U for offering a sample of their EVO Leggera PC3-17000 2133MHz 32GB Memory 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."
“Leggera” means “light-weight” in the performance world, hence the name of GeIL’s low-profile heat-spreader solution for the DDR3 Hardcore Gaming Memory EVO Product Family - EVO LEGGERA.
EVO LEGGERA is equipped with the latest Leggera low-profile heat-spreader in Turquoise Blue finish, designed with GeIL’s MTCD - Maximum Thermal Conduction & Dissipation technology for enhanced cooling efficiency while maintaining a much more workable height for builds with oversized cooling solution from other PC components.
Speed of up to 2800MHz, like its counterpart in the EVO family, the EVO LEGGERA, is designed for all of the latest motherboard chipsets, including the Intel Z77 platform, for maximum performance and compatibility. The entire Series will also receive GeIL’s superior quality assurance standard of DBT – Diehard Burn-in Technology.
EVO LEGGERA is the new performance benchmark with a low-profile heat-sink solution to provide users with aesthetics and functionality.
- Available in 16GB(8GBx2) and 32GB(8GBx4) Quad Channel Package
- Available CAS & Model Number sku:
9-10-9-28: GEL316GB2133C9QC | GEL332GB2133C9QC
9-11-9-28: GEL316GB2133C9AQC | GEL332GB2133C9AQC
10-10-10-30: GEL316GB2133C10QC | GEL332GB2133C10QC
10-11-11-30: GEL316GB2133C10AQC | GEL332GB2133C10AQC
11-11-11-36: GEL316GB2133C11QC | GEL332GB2133C11QC
- Working Voltage : 1.65V
- EVO VELOCE Heat-spreader in Turquoise Blue with MTCD Technology
- Designed for X79, Z77 and other major platforms
- Intel XMP Ready
- Technology: DBT Enhanced, Die-hard Burn-in Technology
- 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 EVO Leggera 32GB kit from GeIL is shipped in a compact cardboard box with some small cut-outs on the sides, so we're able to see how the modules look like even before purchasing:
On the back side of the packaging, we will see the stickers with the module specifications, along with some more information on Golden Emperor International Ltd. , like address and web address:
If we remove the outside cardboard enclosure, we'll find the RAM modules packed two-by-two, along with a small warning leaflet:
The previously mentioned warning leaflet lets us know some more regarding the SPD and applied voltages:
Each memory module comes with low height heatspreaders which provide maximum compatibility with larger heatsinks; these have a Turquoise Blue finish and are built with GeIL's MTCD (Maximum Thermal Conduction & Dissipation Technology):
The opposite side comes with a similar design, minus the EVO Leggera sticker:
On the modules we will also get to see the total capacity, speed rating CAS latency and rated voltage:
Here are some additional photos of the modules which show the heatsink construction:
CPU : Intel I7 3770K Retail
CPU Cooler: CoolIT Vantage ALC
Motherboard : ASRock P77 Fatal1ty Professional
RAM : GeIL EVO CORSA 16GB 2400MHz C11
Video : Sparkle X580 Calibre
Power Supply : Cooler Master 850W
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11
Case: Thermaltake Armor+ LCS
During the tests, the CPU speed was left at stock speeds. After the memory has passed the stability test with HCI Memtest at stock settings, we have tried to go a little higher and clocked the memory to 2200MHz. The RAM functioned flawlessly at this new frequency, but when trying to tighten the timings, we got lots of errors after a couple of seconds in Memtest. The voltage that was used for 2200MHz was 1.5V, but we have also tried at the stock 1.65V without any stability improvements. Setting the RAM at 2400MHz resulted in an unbootable system.
CPU-Z Validation
The pre-programmed timings and frequencies can be also found by using AIDA64:
The new Leggera RAM series from GeIL impressed us due the fact that they overclock quite well, without the need of raising voltages and they seem to work good even at 1.5V as recommended by Intel for the Ivy Bridge platforms.
With the Enhance Corsa and EVO Corsa series we had some small difficulties to fit the CPU heatsink fan because of the RAM sinks height; Legerra series solves that problem completely by using low height Turquoise Blue heatsinks.
As we have also mentioned before when taking a look upon 32GB RAM kits, they are recommended to be used when having large RAM drives, multiple virtual machines or doing video editing (which can even take up to 20GB of memory).
The tested kit has a $259 MSRP and can be aquired from the ITC local distributor.
I would like to thank again to GeIL and Freaks 4U for making this review possible!