The Bottom Line
While we did run into some minor issues with running the rated speeds of our quad-channel set of Super Luce, we were not exactly using the specified equipment required to do so either. That little setback did not stop us from giving GeIL a second chance once Skylake was released, and we could have a look at something that is user-friendly, and less dependent on a specific setup. We also took it as sort of a personal challenge do not only run rated XMP settings, but without all the voltage we needed previously, and possibly enjoy some overclocking headroom as well.
Although most users who are in search of DDR4 tend to find themselves in a sea of 16GB or larger kits, GeIL has offered us an 8GB kit, although they do offer 16GB and 32GB solutions as well. We also were not afraid to test out some speedy sticks either and asked that we were provided with 3600MHz sticks. This is out of a range of 2133MHz at the low-end, and they do make 3866MHz kits as well.
The specific kit GeIL has provided us to share with you today is the GWW48GB3600C17DC dual-channel DDR4. These are naked sticks, no fancy spreaders, and no use of green or black for the PCB either. We have been delivered RAM with white PCBs, white ICs, golden dragons, and each stick offers one blue LED that has been placed as the dragon's eye. Not only is this kit quick in speed, but it is also something that strays away from "the standard" when it comes to memory, and with what we were able to do with this kit, let's just say we are pleased.
Our GeIL Dragon RAM showed up inside of a white cardboard box that is quite eye catching. It is offered in red at the top, and a large gold dragon sprawls across the box and window that allows a look at the sticks inside. Notations to the right include the 10-layer PCB design, an included blue LED on each stick, and that these sticks have gone through rigorous testing via the new Dyna SLT test system that GeIL uses.
Completely white PCBs and a gold dragon so large on them that its tail wraps around and makes a return in front of its face. Even the ICs are white and have been covered over with GeIL's name on this Samsung IC based kit.
Since there is only 4GB of density per stick, the back of the memory is without any ICs. They have repeated the dragon on this side and is where they also offer the product sticker. That sticker offers the PC4-28800 rating, XMP timings, the product number, as well as the voltage.
Along with all the resistors on the PCB, it is hard to distinguish that there are a surface mount LED places right where the dragon's eye should be. It is a blue LED, and once powered, the eyes will constantly glow, but only on the IC side of the sticks.
GeIL uses their name on top of the ICs, and there is the CG4L512G88BA093AU part number on them. Verifying via software, though, these are Samsung ICs in this RAM.
After setting the XMP option to enabled in the BIOS, we found our Geil Dragon's to boot right up without issue. The full 3600MHz, timings match the specifications, and unlike the last kit GeIL sent us, these are ready to go with almost no effort at all.
We next tried to lower the timings on the kit at XMP 3600MHz speeds. Changing only the VDIMM to 1.40V now, we were able to get timings stable at 15-17-17-38, and 1T command rate causes no instabilities either.
This capture shows the best we were able to get out of our sample. This time, the VDIMM did need to be at 1.425V, but getting an extra 266MHz was well worth it. This speed of 3866MHz is also the fastest we have had any kit to date.
Speed plays into favor with AIDA64 testing as the results plainly shows. With just the XMP running, there are noticeable increases, and lowering the timings or raising the speeds just makes that difference greater.
Aside from the Ripjaws, the Dragon RAM is some of the better sticks tested here as well. Mem TweakIt loved both the XMP and lower timings, but too much speed in this instance kills.
The great equalizer, RealBench, puts everything on an even playing field, and we see slight advantages to this kit over the others in the chart. Lower timings also seem to help this kit perform better than standard timings and more speed.
Aside from the lack of density of this kit, there is nothing we could find to complain about. The reality is even though 16GB kits are being pushed down our throats currently, 8GB kits are usually plenty to get by with and still enjoy smooth gaming and a user-friendly desktop experience. Also with the lower density, it is less stressful on the IMC and is what helped us to achieve such high speeds with very little changes made in the BIOS.
The flexibility is nice as well. Being able to run a CAS 17 kit at CAS 15, especially at this sort of speed seems to be the best way to go in the realm of overclocking. On the flip side, it is hard not to want to run the raw speed up, and in our instance, get the next highest bin in the lot, without having to pay up front for it. Speaking of the cost needed, it is hard to track down, as we found only one location currently offering this kit at AntaresPro, and it is listed there for $148.
Just like in cases and cooling, even peripherals, when you get a unique product, you tend to have to pay more for such offerings, and GeIL Dragon RAM demands much of the same. This kit of 3600MHz CAS 17 memory is something your friends are likely not to have so that you will be the envy of them all with the white stocks and blue LED glowing on each stick. Then when you show them the default speed, the jaws drop a bit further. There are a few systems this kit would look great in, and for roughly 35% more than competing kits, you too can have a unique and very fast set of dual-channel DDR4 memory with this GeIL Dragon RAM.
Chad's DDR4 Dual-Channel Test System Specifications
- Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VIII Hero - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- CPU: Intel Core i7 6700K - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Cooler: Corsair H110i GTX - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Video Card: MSI GeForce N760 2GD5/OC ITX - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Storage: SanDisk Extreme II 120GB - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Case: Cooler Master MasterCase Pro 5 - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Power Supply: Thermaltake TPSG 1050W - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit - Buy from Amazon
- Software: CPU-Z 1.74.0 x64, MemTweakIt, RealBench 2.41, AIDA64 Engineer 5.50.3600
Performance (including Overclocking) | 96% |
Quality including Design and Build | 97% |
General Features | 90% |
Bundle and Packaging | 91% |
Value for Money | 85% |
Overall | 92% |
The Bottom Line: The fastest DDR4 we have run to date! Our GeIL Dragon RAM booted right up, looks like no other kit on the market, and leaves plenty of fun to overclock them as long as you have the grapes to push the voltages.
PRICING: You can find products similar to this one for sale below.
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What's in Chad's PC?
- CPU: Intel Core i7 13700K
- MOTHERBOARD: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Eva
- RAM: TEAM DDR5-7200 32GB
- GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 Eva
- SSD: addlink m.2 2TB
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
- COOLER: Fractal Lumen S36
- PSU: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 1500W
- KEYBOARD: ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Electro Punk
- MOUSE: ASUS ROG Strix Impact Electro Punk
- MONITOR: ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ
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