Packaging

The Neo Forza MARS memory kit is packaged in a cardboard box and does a great job of making sure all the necessary information is covered. The front has a cutout showing off the actual memory, with a picture below depicting what the RGB portion will look like as well. This is fairly accurate, always nice to see.

Neo Forza MARS supports several software ARGB managers, including ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync and ASRock Polychrome Sync, but fails to list details of compatibility on the box. This information can be found on the website however.

The only misshap Neo Forza has going on here is the incorrect use of Megahertz (MHz) for the XMP operating frequency. The memory does have an effective clock of 4000 MHz, due to DDR being double data rate. However, it is actually operating at 2000 MHz for this XMP profile. This type of marketing is common to see, though not technically correct. Writing "effective clock" next to the frequency could cause confusion. To make matters even more complicated, the PC4 DRAM rating is using effective clock for the caluations. For example, PC4-32000 equates to DDR4-4000. This 32000 value is the maximum number of bits tansferred per second. To get this number, multiply the effective clock by 8 (4000 x 8).

These naming convention habits aren't just with Neo Forza, as motherboard vendors often convey the DDR frequency in multiple ways as well. It is easier to market a higher number than the technical operating frequency. If we get right to the core issue, no vendor, memory, or motherboard manufacturer can agree on what is the best way to market this. In the motherboard BIOS, an equal amount of motherboards will list the true clock frequency of the memory (2000 MHz), the other half will list the values DDR4-4000, and a few will be even more incorrect by listing as DDR4-4000 MHz. Ultimately, all these errors do is confuse the end-user.


Removing the memory from the box only requires cutting some tape—the memory sticks are secured and protected from minor damage with a clamshell inside the outer box.