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This time around we have received some RAM modules from GeIL. You may not have heard the name before, but GeIL is actually one of the largest makers of RAM in the world. They are headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, with distribution channels in 50 countries.
The module we will be looking at comes from their gaming series, named Black Dragon.
Let us see if the dragon breathes fire or water.

The product was kindly lent to us by GeIL.com



Before we continue, we will first explain what DDR3 RAM is all about.

The DDR3 technology is an update of the DDR2 technology, which is getting rather old. DDR3 RAM uses about 30% less power compared to DDR2 RAM, as DDR3 RAM only needs 1.5 volts to run stable while DDR2 RAM requires 1.8 volts.
DDR3 is physically different from DDR2, such that consumers cannot force a wrong memory module into a DIMM-slot. Both have 240 pins in the desktop edition, but the locations of the pins have been moved around so they cannot be mounted where they do not belong.
With the introduction of the X58 chipset came triple channel RAM support, which helps increase the bandwidth of the blocks much more than with dual channel.

Specifications

DDR3

- PC3-12800 1600 MHz
- 3*2 GB
- 8-8-8-24 timings
- 1.6 volt

Category
The Black Dragon series will work with any motherboard that supports DDR3, but the series probably caters more to the case modder or gaming enthusiast.

Size
The Black Dragon series comes in 3*1 GB and 3*2 GB capacities at different speeds, ranging from 1066MHz to the deluxe model at 2000MHz.

Warranty
GeIL provide a lifetime warranty on this set.

Price
£143.98 in the UK, €194.90 in Germany.

Package contents
The GeIL modules are shipped in a small box designed for the occasion.
The dragon is shown at the front, just so there is no doubt about what you are dealing with.
The entire box is cast in dark colours to amplify the ominous look, and there are some small holes so you can just glimpse the modules.


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On the rear of the box are three addition holes to give a better view of the modules, and there is also a label that talks about the specifications of this set of RAM.


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Within the box you find the modules well protected and wrapped in plastic to ensure they are not damaged during transport.
Away with the plastic and out come the modules, looking like this.


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The first thing you notice is that there is no heat spreader, and there is actually a good reason for that.
To maintain the handsome design and casemod look they simply trashed the heat spreader. Do not worry though – this does not mean they get any hotter than the RAM that actually come with a head spreader.
GeIL have made the print design in such a way that heat is removed much quicker, meaning that even after an entire day of gaming, the RAM never get more than lukewarm.
At the front you find yet another label with specifications of the modules. An oddity is that it simply says GeIL on all the RAM chips, so we have been unable to obtain any information on them.


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If we turn a RAM block around, we can see the dragon design from the box is featured on the RAM as well – fancy!


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To give these RAM a final touch, GeIL has mounted red LEDs at both ends of the modules, presumably to represent the eyes of a dragon. The red light looks great in the dark, but of you need a see-through case to get the full effect.

Here are a couple of pictures of how it looks like when the lights go out.


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Let us get on with the test and see how they fare.

Benchmark

Test Setup:


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Motherboard:
MSI Eclipse SLI X58

CPU
Intel Core I7 950

RAM
- G.Skill Trident PC3-16000 3*2 GB
- Kingston HyperX PC3-16000 3*1 GB
- Geil Black Dragon PC3-12800 3*2 GB

Hard drive:
Samsung Spinpoint F1 160 GB

GPU:
Sapphire HD5770 1 GB in crossfire (10.1 Catalyst driver)

Power supply:
Nexus RX 1000 Watt

Operating system:
Windows 7 RC 64 bit

Test software:

- Lavalys Everest Ultimate
- Sisoft Sandra 2010
- Sciencemark v2.0
- Superpi mod v1.5
- Winrar 500 MB test

The first benchmark we run is Superpi 32M, which tests the processor by calculating Pi decimals. The RAM have a pretty big influence on the outcome though.

SuperPi 32M


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Surprising enough the GeIL RAM beat the two faster 2000MHz set by several seconds.
The test was rerun several times, and the result remained the same. The problem might be that both the G.Skill and Kingston sets were tested with another setup with a W3540 CPU clocked slightly lower than the one used in this setup.

Everest


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The GeIL RAM must admit defeat to the two quicker sets in this test.

ScienceMark
ScienceMark is the next benchmark. It tests RAM performance in a similar way to Everest.


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Once again GeIL is beaten by the two other sets, whose extra megahertz increase speed quite a bit.

Sisoft Sandra


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The same results as in the previous tests occur here. The GeIL RAM come in third, though not far behind the Kingston set.

WinRar 500 MB

We round off with a timed, 500MB Winrar test.


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Little separates the three sets, but again the GeIL set comes in last.
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Overclocking

GeIL are perhaps not known for making the best overclocking RAM. Rather, they are known for their stability, but this set turned that impression of GeIL upside-down.
The RAM were mounted in the motherboard and a pot of dry ice was placed upon the processor. The dry ice was put in the pot along with a splash of acetone, and 10 minutes later the RAM ran at 1800MHz and CL8 timings at 1.75 volts.

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- Standard speed 1600MHz
- Overclock speed 1800MHz

Difference: 12%

That is quite a difference when you consider the set caters to gamers. The overclock was stable in everything from Everest to Superpi. Unfortunately all benchmark results were lost, so we cannot put a number on the impact of the overclocked RAM on the results. We are working on retrieving the lost results.

Conclusion

Now the time has come to evaluate and grade this set.
The craftsmanship is impeccable; GeIL know what they are doing and the RAM definitely live up to the expectations, and then some. The set overclocks surprisingly well, which is great for those who want to boost their gaming rig beyond standard performance. The design is rather handsome if you like dark colours and red diodes, or if you have a little case modder inside you. The price of this set is in the high end though – there are cheaper comparables.
Keep an eye on the site; we are currently working on a review with a focus on OC of an MSI graphics card.

Pros
Lifetime warranty
Solid as a rock
Design
Overclocking potential

Cons
Price

Innovation:	4 / 5
Construction:	4 / 5
Price:	2 / 5
Performance:	5 / 5
Overall:	3.5 / 5