Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
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.
MORE: Best Memory
MORE: DDR DRAM FAQs And Troubleshooting Guide
MORE: All Memory Content
Nintendo Switch 2 design seemingly leaked by carrying case maker — similar aesthetics but with a larger screen and Joy-Cons
Elon Musk reportedly wanted OpenAI to be a for-profit entity but has now sued to block the move
PlayStation 5 transformed into a laptop for $2,750 — Chinese modders made Sony's console more portable with a 17.3-inch 4K display weighing over 9 pounds
