Benchmarking (continued):
The chart below details the unitless results (known as Marks) from the memory portion of the PC Mark 2002 benchmark. The Ballistix DDR makes another clean sweep, but in this round of testing as the speed increased the margin of victory decreased.
PC Mark 04 provides the same unitless Marks as PC Mark 2002, but this time the score is a composite figure representing total system performance, and the gains experienced with each increase in clock speed. The chart below shows that once again, the Crucial Ballistix DDR outshines the Corsair TwinX at the three speeds tested.
3D Mark 2003 is the third of the benchmarks used from Futuremark, this one focusing on video performance. Using the same unitless Marks, the chart below details the gains experienced with each increase in clock speed. As you can see by the results, The Ballistix is once again the higher performing DDR. (Please note minimum value of this chart is not set to zero as the others are, so to differentiate the close scores better).
The benchmarking results speak for themselves, and no debate is really necessary. The two 512MB sticks of Crucial Ballistix DDR-400 offer some serious performance, and do it in the face of some worthy competition from Corsair. The low latencies no doubt contribute to the dominance experienced during testing, and overall provided some impressive scores.
Conclusion:
Crucial has developed a solid reputation for quality memory products, and it is about time they extended their reach into the field of performance DDR. They obviously did their homework, as their first offering is right up to speed with the proven competition!
Ballistix DDR is available directly from Crucial, as well as other typical online outlets at attractive prices when compared to other performance DDR. Direct from Crucial, each 512MB stick sells for $138.99 (US) with free FedEx shipping and a small discount when you create a dual channel kit by ordering two of the same modules. Newegg also carries these modules, and their price for the same memory is $151 (US), also shipped for free. Free shipping, Crucial's limited lifetime warranty, and Crucial's free technical support all add up to a good deal on some great memory. Browsing PriceGrabber shows that comparable low latency, performance DDR can cost a bit more, with some Corsair XMS LL DDR running about $157+, and some Kingston HyperX DDR running about $154+.
For the overall solid performance, admirable overclocking, sharp appearance, and competitive pricing I award the Crucial 512MB sticks of low latency Ballistix DDR-400 memory 5 out of 5 stars... "Highly Recommended".
Final Rating (5 out of 5 stars): 
Pros:
• Excellent performance and stability
• Solid Overclock
• Sharp appearance
• Competitive pricing
Cons:
• Took long enough for Crucial to enter the performance DDR ring!
Special thanks to Crucial for providing the two 512MB sticks of low latency Ballistix DDR-400 memory to BigBruin.Com for review!
Please drop by the BigBruin.Com forum and feel free to discuss this review!
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