A Closer Look

The addlink Spider X4 RGB DIMM modules have a matte gray color for the aluminium base that spans the entire PCB, followed by a glossy black raised section. These sharp angles with twists and turns are supposed to represent a spider, albeit a crude one if you stare at it long enough.


At the center of each DIMM is the addlink addGame logo. This is the company's branding embodying all of its memory products. Below that is the actual series. In this instance, it's the Spider X4 series.


With the DIMMs on the side, we can see the addGame logo printed on white plastic that is designed to defuse the LEDs beneath.


On one side of each DIMM module is the identification sticker listing the SKU, rated XMP operating frequency, and CAS value. TPU ended up buying a second kit for future testing, and I was surprised to find that every sticker matched, down to the serial number on the barcode. Unless this number changes per production batch, it is a logistical nightmare to deal with strictly from a manufacturing point of view. It is not possible to trace bad batches to the source or properly sort modules. Luckily for the consumer, it isn't something to be concerned about if you are just buying one set. However, I would have liked to see the full primary timings instead of just the CAS value listed.


The addGame Spider X4 RGB weighs in at 49 g on my scale. The total weight of the heatspreader is 28 g, leaving 21 g for the PCB and plastic top. For Z-height, it is 36 mm rounding down with my calipers. These are great for height-constricted setups.


After taking the heatspreader off, we see a single-sided DIMMs with eight 1 GB ICs. The thermal tape is placed across the entire length, allowing it to hold firm and provide cooling to the ICs. Operating at 1.35 V, it is not necessary to have a heatspreader in high-airflow cases. However, if you plan to overclock, extra thermal dissipation is always welcome.


A closeup of the ICs reveals these are SK Hynix DJR. These are becoming more common than the older Hynix CJR revisions. It could be that those are being phased out or reserved for lesser kits. If this trends continues, it is mostly like the former. The nice thing about the DJR revision is that if you have the means to keep these ICs cool enough, Hynix DJR can handle a high amount of voltage when it comes time to overclock. However, be warned that there is always a risk associated with overclocking, and it will void any sort of warranty.

Thaiphoon Burner Readout

Thaiphoon Burner is a helpful program and reports the SPD information in detail. This time around, the software didn't recognize the SK Hynix revision and has the manufacturer name blanked out, which is an inconvenience, but we already have this information since we have taken them apart. On that note, the Spider X4 RGB DDR4-3600 lacks a second XMP profile and instead falls back to a JEDEC SPD of 2666 MT/s. This is not ideal if you cannot enable the XMP profile.