Test Results And Final Analysis
Gigabyte’s Z170X-Gaming G1 set the high mark for DDR4 overclocking in our Z170 review series, and will remain the motherboard of choice until a new, superior overclocking model is found. I’ve also retained our previous generation benchmark hardware and software, which will be updated whenever a suitable replacement motherboard is found.
Test System Configuration
| Benchmark Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 | Version 15.0 x64: Space Flyby Mentalray, 248 Frames, 1440x1080 |
| WinRAR | Version 5.0: THG-Workload (1.3 GB) to RAR, command line switches "winrar a -r -m3" |
| Grid 2 | Steam Version, In-Game Test, High Quality, No AA |
| Battlefield 4 | DirectX 11, 100-sec. Fraps "Tashgar", High Quality |
| SiSoftware Sandra | Version 2014.02.20.10, Memory Bandwidth, Cache & Memory Latency Benchmarks |
Test Results
It might have a higher rating, but the T-Force Xtreem DDR4-3600 wasn’t able to overclock as far as the Viper 4 DDR4-3400 on our test system. It wouldn’t even overclock at all, until we tried copying primary timings from a higher rated set, after which it booted at DDR4-3733 but wasn’t stable. After seven minutes at DDR4-3434, one thread of Prime95 crashed during our eight-thread stability test.
| Lowest Stable Timings at 1.35V (Max) on Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming G1 (BIOS F5i) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2133 | |
| T-FORCE XTREEM 16GB TXGD416G3600HC18ADC01 | 14-15-15-30 (1T) | 12-12-12-28 (1T) | 11-11-11-28 (1T) |
| Adata XPG Dazzle 16GB AX4U2800W8G17-DRD | Not Capable | 13-14-14-28 (1T) | 11-11-11-28 (1T) |
| Patriot Viper 4 16GB PV416G340C6K | 16-16-16-32 (1T) | 13-13-13-28 (1T) | 11-11-11-28 (1T) |
Given the T-Force Xtreem DDR4-3600’s poor overclocking, its record-setting DDR4-3200 timings were quite a surprise. Good timings continue through DDR4-2666, but it falls back to mediocre minimum stable latency at DDR4-2133.
A Sandra Bandwidth measurement of 35 GB/s is the highest we’ve seen from two single-sided modules. A pair of dual-ranked DIMMs has previously returned even higher Sandra Bandwidth measurements, in spite of the test platform’s dual-channel design.
Lower is better for latency, and the T-Force Xtreem’s DDR4-3200 CAS 14 capability provides exceptional response times.
Grid 2 becomes memory bound when set well below the GPUs capability, but hardly shows a difference at settings a gamer would realistically choose.
Battlefield 4 shows slightly better performance at improved memory settings, but the differences aren’t large enough to be noticed by normally-enabled humans.
3ds Max only shows noticeable performance deficits when using bad memory settings, and it’s been a long time since we’ve actually seen a module set that would drag it down.
WinRAR produced a strange “hiccup” at DDR4-2666, and retests proved that this wasn’t due to a software bug. A little further digging showed that the motherboard was using the 630-cycle tRFC from the memory’s DDR4-3600 profile.
Unfortunately, if you want a set of memory that’s rated for DDR4-3600, you’re going to have to pay for that rating. The T-Force Xtreem TXGD416G3600HC18ADC01 kit cost $10 more than the Viper 4 PV416G340C6K kit.
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