Verdict: Not quite the 'ultimate in gaming performance', but still great

In addition to its standard DDR2 memory, Crucial also produces a range of modules called Ballistix, which, in the company's own words, is described as 'the ultimate in gaming performance'; a bold claim indeed.

This 2GB kit goes by the name BL2KIT12864AA1005, which doesn't really tell you a lot. However, thanks to some code-crunching, we can tell you that this RAM is rated as PC2-8000, so it's guaranteed to run at up to 1GHz. It requires 2.2V to operate at this frequency, and has sluggish latency timings of 5 - 5 - 5 - 15.

As with all the 1GHz kits, we had to test the BL2KIT12864AA1005 at 889MHz and 800MHz respectively in our Core 2 and Athlon 64 test systems, as these are the highest frequencies allowed in the BIOSes at stock CPU speeds. At these settings, the kit was a distinctly average performer in our Core 2 system, and it also ranked in the lower half of the graphs in the Athlon 64 test system due to its slow latency timings. However, by increasing the BL2KIT12864AA1005's voltage to 2.45V, we were able to benchmark it stably overclocked to 1.16GHz, which is a great result. However, it wouldn't overclock any further with the latency timings raised to 6 - 6 - 6 - 18.

The BL2KIT12864AA1005 is overclockable and good value for money at £237.34.

• Cases - 21st November 2008
• Motherboards - 24th October 2008
• Gaming Headsets - 26th September 2008
• Dream PCs - 24th September 2008
• Headphones - 12th September 2008
• Media PC components - 22nd August 2008
• PSUs - 14th July 2008

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