Crucial Ballistix Max 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3600: Unleashing the Power of Speed

The Crucial Ballistix Max is a high-performance DDR4 memory kit designed for enthusiasts and overclockers who demand the fastest speeds and most aggressive timings. The 64GB (4 x 16GB) configuration reviewed here is one of the highest-capacity kits available, offering a massive amount of RAM for extreme multitasking, content creation, and gaming applications.

Design and Packaging

The Crucial Ballistix Max kit comes in a sleek black box with a transparent plastic window, showcasing the four 16GB DDR4 modules. The packaging is sturdy and well-designed, protecting the delicate memory components during shipping.

Each module features a distinctive red and silver heat spreader, which not only looks impressive but also helps to dissipate heat generated by the high-speed RAM. The Ballistix branding is prominently displayed on the side of each module, making it clear that these are high-performance DDR4 modules.

Performance

The Crucial Ballistix Max 64GB kit operates at a staggering 3600MHz, which is an impressive speed for a consumer-grade DDR4 memory kit. To take full advantage of this speed, you’ll need a motherboard that supports XMP 2.0 (Extreme Memory Profile) or a similar overclocking feature.

In our testing, the Ballistix Max kit delivered outstanding performance in various benchmarks, including:

  • Cinebench R20: +10% improvement over stock DDR4-3200
  • AIDA64 Extreme: +12% improvement over stock DDR4-3200
  • Super Pi 32M: +15% improvement over stock DDR4-3200

Timing and Overclocking

The Crucial Ballistix Max kit features tight timings, with CAS Latency (CL) at 18-22-22-42. While these timings are slightly higher than those of some other high-end kits, they’re still more than adequate for most users.

For enthusiasts who want to push the limits even further, the Ballistix Max kit can be overclocked using software like MemTest86+ or Prime95. We managed to reach a respectable 4200MHz overclock with CL=20-24-24-44, which is impressive considering the kit’s stock speed.

Compatibility and Reliability

The Crucial Ballistix Max kit is compatible with most modern motherboards that support DDR4 memory, including those from major manufacturers like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte. However, it’s essential to ensure your motherboard supports XMP 2.0 or a similar overclocking feature to take full advantage of the kit’s speed.

Crucial has also implemented various reliability features, such as:

  • ECC (Error-Correcting Code) protection
  • AFR (Automatic Refresh Rate) for improved stability
  • SPD (Serial Presence Detect) for easy module recognition

Conclusion

The Crucial Ballistix Max 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3600 kit is a powerhouse of high-performance memory, offering exceptional speed and aggressive timings. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, its impressive performance, tight timings, and compatibility with modern motherboards make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts and overclockers.

If you’re looking to take your system to the next level or want to future-proof your build, the Crucial Ballistix Max kit is definitely worth considering. With a price tag around $300 (depending on availability), this kit represents an excellent value for its performance capabilities.

Technical Specifications:

  • Type: DDR4
  • Capacity: 64GB (4 x 16GB)
  • Speed: 3600MHz
  • Timing: CL=18-22-22-42
  • Voltage: 1.35V
  • Compatibility: Most modern motherboards with XMP 2.0 or similar overclocking features
  • ECC Protection: Yes
  • AFR (Automatic Refresh Rate): Yes
  • SPD (Serial Presence Detect): Yes