How Does CMIL (Crucial Memory Integrity Labs) Ensure Ballistix™ Products Meet Specifications?

crucial testing process A basic overview of CMIL's test methodology

What has CMIL done to make sure Ballistix products operate at the published speed ratings? Here's a brief overview of the Ballistix product line test process.

We test each individual component through rigorous procedures using advanced DRAM test equipment, and that's before we even put them on module! From there, each individual module undergoes various electrical and synthetic tests. Finally, 100% of our modules are tested on some of the latest motherboards and chipsets deemed capable of running at the rated specifications.

Keep in mind that many more boards and systems are fully compatible with Ballistix and will work just fine. If you are not sure, use our system selector or scanner to verify compatibility. Also be sure to read about the nature of Ballistix.

Whereas the methodology may change over time, the following sections illustrate how we currently perform testing.

Ballistix DDR3
Module performance is verified by testing each Ballistix DDR3 DIMM in the motherboards shown in the table below. The modules are tested in pairs at the front side bus (FSB) speeds specified for each module type. In addition, the chipset, CPU, and BIOS revisions are listed for each motherboard setup.

Motherboard & processor information*

Motherboard Type Chipset Processor BIOS Version DDR3-1333
BL2KIT12864BA1336
BL2KIT12864TA1336
BL2KIT25664BA1336
BL2KIT25664TA1336
BL12864BA1336
BL12864TA1336
BL25664BA1336
BL25664TA1336
DDR3-1600
BL2KIT12864BA1608
BL12864BA1608

Note: XMP SPD Profile for Intel Chipsets
DDR3-1600
BL2KIT12864BE1608
BL12864BE1608

Note: EPP SPD Profile for NVIDIA Chipsets
DDR3-2000
BL2KIT12864BE2009
BL12864BE2009

Note: EPP SPD Profile for NVIDIA Chipsets
ASUS Maximus ExtremeX38C2 DUO 2.33GHz803   
ASUS P5K3 Deluxe/WIFIP35C2 1.86GHz810  
ASUS P5KCP35/ICH9C2 1.86GHz701    
ASUS P5E3 Premiumx48C2 DUO 3.0GHz203  
ASUS P5Q3 Deluxex48C2Q 2.66GHz Q94501103  
ASUS Striker II extreme 790iC2Q 3.2GHz QX9770402
EVGA 132-CK-NF79790iC2Q 2.5GHz Q9300811N2P06
Gigabyte GA-P35T-DQ6P35 ExpressC2 DUO 1.86GHzF4  
Gigabyte GA-X38T-DQ6X38 ExpressC2 DUO 3.0GHzF2  
Intel DX38BTX38 ExpressC2 DUO 2.33GHz1510  
XFX MB-N790-IUL9790iC2Q 3.2GHz QX9770P01
MSI P45 DIAMONDP45C2Q 2.66GHz Q9450V1.0    

Ballistix DDR2
Module performance is verified by testing Ballistix DDR2 DIMMs in the motherboards shown in the table below. The modules are tested in pairs at the front side bus (FSB) speeds specified for each module type. In addition, the chipset, CPU, and BIOS revisions are listed for each motherboard setup.

Motherboard & processor information*

Motherboard Type Chipset Processor BIOS Version DDR2-1066 BL2KIT12864AA106A
BL2KIT12864AL106A
BL12864AA106A
BL12864AL106A
DDR2-800 BL2KIT12864AA80A
BL2KIT12864AL80A
BL2KIT25664AA80A
BL2KIT25664AL80A
BL2KIT25664AR80A
BL12864AA80A
BL12864AL80A
BL25664AA80A
BL25664AL80A
BL25664AR80A
ABIT IX38 Quad GTX 38C2 DUO 2.33GHz12
ASUS M2N32 SLINFORCE590SLIATHLON 643200+ 0504
ASUS M2N32 SLINFORCE590SLIATHLON 643500+ 0504
ASUS M3A32-MVP DELUXE790FXAM2+ 2.2GHz1102 
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULAX38QUAD C2 2.4GHz1004
ASUS P5B DELUXEP9653.0GHzAMI 1216
ASUS P5EX38C2 DUO 2.33GHz0702
ASUS P5EX38QUAD C2 2.4GHz Q66000702
ASUS P5KP35C2 DUO 1.86GHz0603
ASUS P5KP35QUAD C2 2.4GHz Q66000603
ASUS P5K WSP35C2 DUO 1.86GHz0601
ASUS P5K-SEP35C2 DUO 1.86GHz0205
ASUS P5WD2-PREMIUM955X 0422 
ASUS STRIKER II FORMULA780iC2 DUO 2.33GHz0902
EVGA 122-CK NF68680i3.0GHz3/9/07 P26
EVGA 122-CK NF68680iC2 DUO 1.86GHz2/8/07 P25
EVGA 650650i 3/27/07 P01
FOXCONN C51XEM2AANFORCE590SLIAMD 64 3200+5/24/06 P20
FOXCONN C51XEM2AANFORCE590SLIATHLON 64 3500+5/17/06 P19
GIGABYTE GA-EX38 DQ6X38C2 DUO 2.33GHzF1
GIGABYTE GA-EX38 DS4X38C2 DUO 2.33GHzF2
GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4X38QUAD C2 Q6600F2
GIGABYTE GA-P35 DS3RP35C2 DUO 1.86GHzF11
GIGABYTE GA-P35 DQ6P35C2 DUO 1.86GHzF7
GIGABYTE X48 DQ6X48C2Q 2.4GHz Q6600F6
GIGABYTE P35 DS3LP35QUAD C2 2.4GHzF7
XFX-MB-N780-ISH9(780i)C2 DUO 2.33GHz12/21/07 P02
DFI LP DK P35-T2RSP35QUAD C2 2.4GHz3/11/08 
GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5790FXAM2+ 2.1GHz X3F5 
MSI K9A2 PLATINUM790FXAM2+ 2.2GHz QUAD1.3 
MSI P6N SLI650i V1.5 101307
ASUS P5KCP35C2 DUO 1.86GHzAMI 0701 
ASUS M3A770AM2+ 2.2GHz1001 
ASUS STRIKER EXTREME680iC2 DUO 1.86GHz1503
ASUS P5N32-E SLI680i3.0GHz0805 
EVGA 112-CK-NF77-A1630iC2 DUO 2.33GHz11/26/07 

*At the time of product qualification these are the systems that were used to verify performance. As newer Motherboards/BIOS are released we may use them for our production testing.

** Additional cooling may be required

Don't forget ...
We put great effort into testing our Ballistix modules in the configurations detailed above, but keep in mind that some system configurations may not operate at the published Crucial Ballistix memory speed and timing settings. Actual performance may vary based on configuration, usage, and manufacturing variability. Overclocking, running your system faster than published speed, or otherwise modifying your system timing may result in damage to computer components. If you plan to operate your hardware outside of specifications, do so at your own risk.

Archived testing data

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