Last year, Crucial canned its Ballistix brand of gaming focused memory, but it seems like the company still wants to offer its customers a more premium product, as Crucial has just introduced its new Pro series of memory products. Crucial will offer its new Pro series in both DDR5 and DDR4 flavours at either DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200 speeds. It should be noted that the DDR4 modules still rely on a green PCB, while the DDR5 modules get the same black PCB as Crucial's regular DDR5 modules. Beyond the heatsink, there isn't much that differs between the Pro series and Crucial's regular modules, but there is one thing that might matter to potential buyers.

Crucial has added support for AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 to its Pro series of modules. In the case of AMD EXPO this only applies to DDR5 modules, whereas the DDR4 modules support Intel XMP 2.0, in this case a feature its standard DDR4 modules lack. This should make it easier for end users to take advantage of the extra performance offered by some of these modules. That said, as Crucial has stuck to JEDEC timings, taking the Pro DDR5-5600 UDIMM kit as an example, you end up with timings of 46-46-45-45 at 1.1 Volts, where competing products have timings in the range of 36-36-36-36, although usually at 1.25 Volts or higher. Even as far as JEDEC timing goes, Crucial has chosen the middle ground for DDR5 5600, as there is a timing option from JEDEC that supports 40-40-40-40, which would make more sense for a more premium product. Price wise, a 32 GB kit with two 16 GB modules of DD5-5600 modules carries an $11 price premium over Crucials standard modules, with a retail price of US$114.99 versus US$103.99, but there are better options out there at this price point.

Out of nowhere, Micron has announced that it will end production of its Ballistix RAM products that are the high-performance and gamer focused RAM products from its Crucial brand. The details available so far doesn't state a reason for the discontinuation of these products. That said, Crucial has launched a wide range of DDR5 products, but so far none under the Ballistix brand and that is obviously a permanent move now. The company said it would focus on "the development of Micron's DDR5 client and server product roadmap, along with the expansion of the Crucial memory and storage product portfolio."

Furthermore the press release mentioned that "the company will continue to support the performance compute and gaming communities with its award-winning SSD products, such as the Crucial P5 Plus Gen 4 PCIe NVMe SSD, Crucial P2 Gen 3 NVMe SSD, and the popular Crucial X6 and Crucial X8 portable SSDs." It seems like Micron has decided to change the focus of it's consumer focused Crucial brand yet again, as the company has done several times in the past, but it's going to remove a major player in the consumer DRAM market, which isn't a good thing, especially as Micron was one of few DRAM manufacturers to offer high-end RAM modules, since neither Samsung or SK-Hynix is in this market. That said, it looks like Crucial will at least continue to offer its standard RAM modules, but they tend to follow JEDEC spec and aren't particularly exciting.

Overclocking is always fun and almost everyone can do it, however, when it comes to extreme overclocking, there are only a handful of persons doing it. Today, a Chinese extreme overclocker "baby-j" has managed to establish a new world record frequency with his Crucial Ballistix Max DDR4-4000 (BLM16G40C18U4B.M8FB1) memory kit. Using liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling for the DIMMs, the overclocker managed to push the memory kit to an amazing 7004.2 MHz, making it the world's highest frequency hit on DDR4 memory. What is more amazing is the fact that the platform used for the new record-setting overclock, is based on AMD's B550 motherboards running with AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G processor, which seems to have a very good memory controller. The timings were a bit relaxed with them running at 22-26-26-46-127-1 (tCAS-tRC-tRP-tRAS-tCS-tCR) settings.

Crucial, Micron's global consumer brand of computer memory and storage, today announced its limited edition Crucial Ballistix MAX 5100 gaming DRAM. Expanding on the award-winning legacy of the Crucial Ballistix product portfolio, this latest offering provides consumers with an optimal gaming memory option, boasting the highest speeds available to date for purchase.

Crucial Ballistix is the only brand of gaming DRAM that incorporates custom tuning at the die level, resulting in world record-setting performance. In fact, these same gaming DRAM modules were recently used by a competitive overclocker to hit a blistering 6,666MT/s, the fastest ever for DDR4 modules. The record-breaking frequency and valid CPU-Z screenshot are posted on HWBOT. Like Micron's leading products and solutions for enterprise and personal computing, Crucial gaming memory is purpose-built, making it the only gaming memory that's vertically integrated - designed, engineered and manufactured from start to finish in-house. This unique approach is unmatched by competitors, allowing the new 5100MT/s modules to deliver blazing fast speeds to hardcore gamers and maximized results to overclocking enthusiasts.

A new HWBot entry has proven what some thought impossible years ago: AMD apparently features the best memory controller in the x86 consumer space. A user going by the alias Bianbao XE achieved a 6,666 MHz frequency on a single stick of Crucial Ballistix Max. The stick's original rating is for a mere 2,666 MHz - doesn't that put things in perspective?

Another thing that puts things into perspective is that the support for such an overclocking feat was a ROG Strix B550-I Gaming motherboard (min-ITX means smaller tracing distance between CPU and memory, and thus higher signal integrity) paired with none other than AMD's Ryzen 7 4700GE 'Renoir'. The APU was underclocked and overvolted - a technique that aimed to increase stability of the memory controller whilst also reducing operating temperatures (balancing the higher voltage and lower frequency). Of course, memory timings were loosened to achieve this feat (timings of 30-27-27-58 aren't what you'd usually like to see), but then again, this wasn't meant to power the utmost memory performance - only the highest frequency. And that was definitely achieved.

Crucial at CES 2020 showcased their upcoming changes to their memory portfolio, with their Crucial Ballistix lineup being condensed into just three brands: Ballistix, Ballistix RGB, and Ballistix MAX. These lineups replace the company's Ballistix Sport, Tactical, and Elite products under a redesigned portfolio and aesthetic language.

Ballistix will be the mainstream memory solutions, ranging through speeds from 2400 MHz to 3600 MHz and densities of 4 GB to 32 GB. The new, modernized aluminium heatspreader design is available in black, red, or white colors, and in DIMM or SODIMM form-factors. Ballistix RGB are basically the same sticks, but with an added 8 zones and 16 LEDs of RGB lighting to the heatspreader via usage of a diffuser.

Ballistix, Micron's global brand of high-performance gaming memory, has set a new overclocking world record for the fastest DDR4 memory frequency at 6024 MT/s. Leveraging performance-tuned Micron die and the innovation behind the new Ballistix Elite 4000 memory, the ASUS motherboard R&D team set the record using liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling and the following system setup: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor; ASUS X570 ROG CROSSHAIR VIII IMPACT motherboard; Ballistix Elite DDR4 4000 8 GB memory.

"We're thrilled to have partnered with Ballistix to achieve this new world record," said Albert Chang, general manager of the motherboard BU for ASUS. "Both overclocking teams worked tirelessly to fine-tune BIOS settings on our newly-released ROG CROSSHAIR VIII IMPACT board to unleash the capabilities of the Micron die. Setting the new world record of 6024 MT/s with Ballistix Elite 4000 memory on our new ROG AMD X570 motherboard is a powerful demonstration of the engineering excellence ASUS ROG and Micron bring to the gaming ecosystem." The record-breaking frequency is posted on HWBOT, and the valid CPU-Z screenshot can be found here.

Ballistix, Micron's gaming memory brand, is now the official overclocking world record holder. Overclockers used the Ballistix Elite 3600MT/s to set a new overclocking record for the fastest DDR4 memory frequency at a blistering 5726 MT/s. That's 79 percent faster than the max JEDEC DDR4 speed of 3200 MT/s and 115 percent faster than the 2666 MT/s considered mainstream today.

How's that for a speed run? Yes, this record is a big, big, (big, big) deal to us here at Ballistix. But we care just as much about how we earned the top mark. We're proud that we were able to use the same CAS latency - CL24 - used by most of the previous record holders. In addition, we set the record using the same production module of the Ballistix Elite 3600 available to gamers today.

Micron has curiously been releasing client-segment SSDs these recent weeks. The company's main brand was focused on enterprise products, while subsidiary brands Crucial and Ballistix catered to the client-segment. Following up on its late-February launch of the 1300-series client-segment SSDs, Micron unveiled the even faster 2200-series. These drives ditch Silicon Motion-sourced controllers in favor of a new controller Micron designed in-house. Built in the M.2-2280 form-factor with PCI-Express 3.0 x4 interface, taking advantage of the NVMe protocol. This in-house controller is mated with Micron's 64-layer 3D TLC NAND flash, cushioned by its own LPDDR4 DRAM cache.

Available in capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB, the Micron 2200 is rated to offer sequential transfer rates of up to 3000 MB/s reads, with up to 1600 MB/s writes, up to 240,000 IOPS 4K random reads, and up to 210,000 IOPS 4K random writes, with an endurance rating of 75 TB, 150 TB, and 300 TB, for the 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB variants, respectively. Micron-exclusive features also make their way, such as native power-loss data-protection, and TCG Opal SED. The company hasn't revealed pricing or availability for these drives.

Ballistix, a leading global brand of gaming memory, today announced the immediate availability of Ballistix Sport AT memory in support of ASUS' TUF Gaming Alliance. Developed as a collaboration between ASUS, Ballistix, and other trusted industry partners, TUF Gaming Alliance ensures easier building, the best compatibility, and complementary aesthetics from components to cases.

"Our TUF Gaming Alliance relationship with Ballistix, the memory brand of choice for so many gamers, offers customers and partners an exciting new product for PC builds," said Sharon Pan, Division Director of the ASUS Motherboard Channel PM Department. "On the heels of all the positive feedback at Computex 2018, we're looking forward to a successful collaboration with Ballistix as we continue to create products that excel in both performance and aesthetics."

Ballistix announced its ASUS TUF Gaming Allinace co-branded Sport DDR4 memory module, and we got a chance to go hands on. These modules are essentially the company Sport series mid-range sticks with a ruggedized heat-spreader, and style elements from the TUF Gaming Alliance - black with sharp golden-yellow lines. The module comes in 8 GB (single-rank) and 16 GB (dual-rank) densities, which each come in two speed variants - DDR4-2666 and DDR4-3000, making up dual-channel kits of 16 GB and 32 GB, respectively.

ASUS' backed TUF Gaming Alliance has been gaining tremendous traction in recent times, with many brands in the computing world launching products designed and branded under that initiative. Now, Ballistix has announced a new DDR4 product line, the SPORT AT DDR4 that aligns directly with the TUF branding and design philosophy.

Ballistix, a leading global brand of gaming memory, today announced the availability of Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4 memory. The new Tactical Tracer RGB modules, available in 8GB and 16GB densities with speeds up to 3000 MT/s, allow gamers to light up their systems with 16 RGB LEDs in 8 zones on each module. PC modders can customise their system's look by removing the Ballistix-labeled light bar for maximum brightness, or 3D printing their own light bar to truly leave their mark on their memory.

"A lot of the members in our community love to personalise their gaming rigs and the new Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4 modules help achieve just the style they are looking for," said Jim Jardine, Director of DRAM Product Marketing. "Having an RGB module with a removable light bar that enables you to custom-make your own system gives system builders the best options for customisation and personalisation."

Ballistix has announced the DDR4 version of their Tactical Tracer memory modules, with the new memory type allowing for the usual DDR4 speeds, starting at 2,666 MHz. Since these share the same brains as the non-RGB tactical modules the company already distributes, one can expect timings (CAS latencies of 15 and 16), speeds and voltages (starting at 1.20V) to be in-line with previous offerings. These include the usual tactical Tracer specs, including XMP profiles, a black PCB, and customizable heat spreaders. The RGB lighting allows users to tailor the look of their memory according to their chosen rig color scheme, while offering at-a-glance temperature control (blue is cool, red is not.) All RGB features are controlled through yet another RGB controller software: in this case, the Ballistix M.O.D. (Memory Overview Display) software.

The customizable heat spreaders don't stop on the RGB lighting options, though; actually, Ballistix is offering a removable module for the heat-spreaders that users can customize by 3D printing substitute parts. The company is providing the 3D printer design files on its website, though you should be able to build upon them with your own. This is one of the most interesting features of these modules, though I wager we'll see a much higher 3D printing penetration once those little machines that can get their pricing further reduced (make no mistake - 3D printing is one of the most promising consumer technologies. Pricing information is currently unavailable, though Ballistix said the Tactical Tracer DDR4 RGB modules will be available in Q3 - with a limited lifetime warranty to boot.

The Ballistix sub-brand of Crucial, Micron Technology's consumer products subsidiary, is now its own brand, and no longer labeled next to Crucial. The Ballistix Gaming brand will now include PC gaming hardware, including memory (RAM), and perhaps even SSDs and gaming peripherals in the future. Ballistix products will be targeted at DIY gaming PC builders and enthusiasts.

Commenting on the story, Crucial stated: "Ballistix is now it's own defined brand, becoming a sibling to Crucial (previously a sub-brand). For more than a decade, Ballistix has injected speed and style into PC gaming in a way that can't be imitated. As the only major brand of gaming memory that builds and tests products from start to finish, Ballistix brings you the proven performance and reliability that pro gamers build with. Ballistix performance memory (RAM) is designed to give the upper hand to gamers, performance enthusiasts, and overclockers."

Crucial today, in a statement to TechPowerUp stated that it has canceled the Ballistix TX3 PCIe solid-state drive launch. The company canceled the product on the basis of "prioritization of company resources and investments." The company however stated that it will continue to develop SSD products that target the gamer-enthusiast market that the Ballistix TX3 PCIe was intended for. "We are, however, continuing to explore potential opportunities for future gaming products and will provide an update as new plans are formalized," the company stated.

Crucial first unveiled the Ballistix TX3 at the 2016 Computex Expo, where it demonstrated its M.2 variants. The drives combined Silicon Motion's new SMI2260H processor with Micron-made 3D MLC NAND flash memory. The drive took advantage of 32 Gb/s PCIe and the new NVMe protocol to offer transfer rates up to four times higher than current performance-segment SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs.

Crucial is ready with a high-performance SSD in the M.2 form-factor, which leverages 32 Gb/s PCI-Express, and the NVMe protocol to belt out four to five times the read/write performance of SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs. The new Crucial Ballistix TX3 line of M.2 SSDs features the Silicon Motion SMI2260H processor, mated to Crucial-made 3D (stacked) MLC NAND flash, cushioned by a large DRAM cache. A similar setup is found on the ADATA SX8000NP, and the sequential speeds of that drive are rated at up to 2,000 MB/s reads, with up to 800 MB/s writes.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced the availability of Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 SODIMMs. Ideal for gamers and performance enthusiasts, the new modules accelerate gaming laptops and small form factor systems by packing faster speeds into every memory slot, enabling users to run demanding games and applications with ease.

With speeds starting at 2400 MT/s, Ballistix Sport LT SODIMMs offer better latencies, reduced load times, and improved frame rates with integrated graphics. The new modules also feature a sleek black PCB and digital camo design and support Intel XMP 2.0 profiles for easy installation. "We're constantly seeking ways to empower gamers with affordable, easy-to-use products that help them gain that competitive, performance edge," explained Jeremy Mortenson, product marketing manager, Crucial. "With new platforms supporting faster DDR4 SODIMMS coming to the market, the newest Ballistix SODIMM module does just that."

Crucial unveiled the Ballistix Sport LT Red DDR4 memory module. Available in densities of 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB, and in kits of single-module, dual-channel, and quad-channel; the module offers PC4-19200 (DDR4-2400 MHz) speeds, with timings of 16-16-16, and module voltage of 1.2V. The module is characterized by a full-height black PCB, and a racy red heatspreader, with a very G.Skill-like styling. The company didn't reveal pricing or availability.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced it is unveiling a complimentary white digital camo heat spreader and unique white printed circuit board (PCB) option as part of its Crucial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 memory offering. The modules, which will be showcased in conjunction with gamescom in Cologne, August 5th - 9th, offer the same DDR4 performance and proven reliability that gamers have come to expect from Crucial.

Designed for mainstream users who simply want to get more performance out of their systems, Crucial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 memory delivers fast speeds and increased bandwidth. A new addition to the current Ballistix Sport DDR4 lineup, Sport LT modules feature a covert digital camo design, which will be available in both white and gray, and an integrated heat spreader. Whether gamers want plug-and-play installation or Intel XMP 2.0 profiles to achieve DDR4 speeds of 2400 MT/s, Ballistix Sport LT memory delivers seamless, affordable performance.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced Crucial Ballistix DDR4 16GB performance memory. Ideal for gamers and enthusiasts who deal with content creation, virtual machines, RAM drives, and memory-intensive applications, the new Ballistix modules leverage Micron's new 8Gb DDR4 component technology to offer up the highest density DDR4 memory to date.

Until now, only expensive server systems have been able to reach these memory densities, but with Ballistix DDR4 16GB modules, users can achieve greater densities on high-end desktop systems like the latest Intel X99 platforms. Available across Sport LT, Tactical, and Elite product lines, each module includes Intel XMP 2.0 profiles for easy setup and support.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced the availability of Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 memory. Designed to enhance high-performance gaming environments and push performance limits, the new modules deliver introductory speeds starting at 2666 MT/s, and allow users to radically increase bandwidth to 21 GB/s. Ballistix DDR4 memory also delivers up to 40 percent better power efficiency than standard DDR3 memory.*

Ballistix Elite DDR4 memory is optimized for the latest Intel X99 platforms with support for XMP 2.0 profiles, and features a custom-designed black PCB and anodized aluminum heat spreaders for improved heat dissipation. Supported by the exclusive Ballistix Memory Overview Display (M.O.D.) utility, which provides the ability to read information from the module, including real-time temperature from the integrated thermal sensor, voltages and more, all to aid overclocking efforts.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced new Crucial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 memory and new Ballistix Tactical DDR4 memory. The new modules offer a combination of sleek design, DDR4 performance, and proven reliability for gamers to own the competition.

Designed for mainstream users who simply want to get more performance out of their systems, Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 memory delivers fast speeds and increased bandwidth. A new addition to the current Ballistix Sport DDR4 lineup, Sport LT modules feature a covert digital camo design and integrated heat spreader. Whether gamers want plug-and-play installation or Intel XMP 2.0 profiles to achieve DDR4 speeds of 2400 MT/s, Ballistix Sport LT memory delivers seamless, affordable performance.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced the availability of Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 memory and Crucial DDR4 desktop memory. Designed to enhance high-performance gaming and computing environments, the new Ballistix Sport DDR4 modules deliver introductory speeds of 2400 MT/s, while Crucial DDR4 desktop memory speeds start at 2133 MT/s and are expected to increase as DDR4 technology matures.

Optimized for the latest Intel X99 platforms, the new modules have increased bandwidth over mainstream DDR3 memory and are up to 40 percent more energy efficient. In addition, select Ballistix Sport DDR4 modules are plug and play, featuring XMP 2.0 profiles for easy configuration as well as an integrated heat spreader and black PCB.

Here are the first pictures of a Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 memory module up close. Launched earlier this week, the Ballistix Elite DDR4 will be Crucial's first enthusiast module to address the emerging market created by Intel's Haswell-E HEDT platform. It will come in various speeds upwards of 2133 MHz (DDR), and densities of 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB, and will be available as single-module, dual-channel, and quad-channel kits. The underlying DRAM chips are homebrew, from Micron's mega DRAM/NAND-flash plant in Boise, Idaho, US. The chips are cooled by a simple and effective aluminium heat-spreader.