Memory Masters @ Computex 2017: ADATA, G.Skill and Team Group

Pushing DDR4 beyond its limits

Known for its high-performance memory modules and gaming peripherals, G.SKILL took Computex 2017 as a perfect avenue to show the prowess of its products among visitors. Apart from showcasing products, G.SKILL rounded up some of the best overclockers from different parts of the globe in its fourth edition of the Annual OC World Cup.

Winning this year's top prize of USD 10,000 is Roberto Sannino aka rsannino of Italy with his setup dominating the key tests of the competition which include memory frequency, Geekbench3 - Multi Core, 3Dmark11 Physics, and Cinebench R15.

Moving on to the products, G.Skill rode on the hype brought about by the series of unveilings of Intel X299 motherboards from various vendors at Computex. G.Skill demonstrated the capabilities of its Trident Z DDR4 4800MHz extreme dual-channel kit, boasting that the memory modules were nearly able to hit the 5000MHz mark without liquid nitrogen cooling at low CAS latency timings of CL19-19-19-39 on a platform powered by an Intel Core X-Series processor with ASRock's X299 OC Formula motherboard.

The next fastest setup at G.SKILL's booth showed a Gigabyte X299 SOC Champion motherboard where a 16GB (2x 8GB) kit of Trident Z RGB DDR4 memory modules were overclocked to 4400MHz at CAS latency timings of CL19-19-19-39, proving that the RGB RAMs are not only meant for aesthetics, but also for uncompromised performance.

Another overclocking set that took advantage of G.SKILL's Trident Z RGB DDR4 memory modules was the ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe. The kit consisting of a mind-blowing total memory capacity of 64GB (eight 8GB memory modules filling up the board's eight DIMM slots) was clocked up to 4200MHz at CAS latency timings of CL19-21-21-41.

ASRock's X299 OC Formula motherboard was put to the test once more, this time, with a kit comprising of two 16GB Trident Z RGB DDR4 memory modules (32GB) overclocked up to 4000MHz at CL17-18-18-38 CAS latency timings.

Extending the performance of its memory modules to notebooks, G.SKILL also had a setup showing an EVGA SC17 gaming laptop equipped with a Ripjaws SODIMM kit consisting of two 16GB DDR4 memory modules (32GB). The kit was able to hit 3466MHz at CL16-18-18-43 CAS latency timings. 

A symphony of technology

ADATA’s theme for Computex this year brings to consumers a symphony of technology that primarily combines design and innovation. Embarking on this theme, ADATA’s booth interestingly included products that are seemingly not dependent on the company’s main commodity – memory.

Hopping on the robot home assistant bandwagon, the Taiwanese firm is introducing the ADATA Robot. Cloud-connected, camera-equipped, and coming with facial and sound recognition technologies, the ADATA Robot has potentials in ensuring security in a smart home setup. For example, it can help working parents in monitoring and communicating with their growing kids while they are away from home.

Expanding its array of gaming products under the XPG branding, ADATA has introduced a circumaural gaming headset bundled with a stand that serves as a USB hub and an audio control panel complete with a volume level knob and presets. This headset bundle is among of ADATA’s line of non-memory gaming accessories which includes keyboards and mice.

A tour at ADATA’s booth would not be complete without checking out their memory-based offerings. Starting off with one of the brand’s flash storage solutions, the XPG SX950 SSD makes use of 3D MLC NAND flash technology, arriving in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. Integrating SATA 6Gbps interface, the SX950 offers up to 560MBps read and 530MBps write performance.

Apart from the conventional 2.5-inch form factor, ADATA’s SSDs also come in M.2 2280 versions, such as the XPG Gammix S10 and the XPG SX8000. Both models are available with up to 1TB storage capacity.

Focusing not only on performance, ADATA’s XPG memory modules also come with attractive heatsink designs. The aptly-named Dazzle DDR4 RAM's heatsink is embedded with LED for aesthetics and is available in speeds ranging from 2400MHz to 3200MHz and capacities from 8GB to 16GB. Meanwhile, the Z1 DDR4 RAM, though it doesn't come with LED, comes with colorful heatsinks available in black, gold, red, and white colors. Its capacities range from 4GB to 16GB with speeds starting from 2133MHz to 3333MHz.

New products from a winning team

Team Group's participation in Computex is extra special this year as it coincides with the company's 20th anniversary. Riding on the theme "Go beyond the limit and reach for the top," Team Group toured its Computex guests to a showcase of different memory-based products, ranging from memory modules to microSD cards, some of which were honored during the Computex d&i Awards ceremony.

Memory modules

Members of Team Group's T-FORCE series such as the Night Hawk RGB and the Xtreem received distinctions at the d&i Awards. The Night Hawk RGB, along with the Delta RGB, is equipped with a heat spreader available in black and white variants. As what its moniker hints, the Night Hawk RGB sports a pair of hawk eye-shaped LEDs. Both the lighting effects of the Night Hawk RGB and the Delta RGB can be controlled and synchronized with the help of ASUS Aura Sync.

M.2 PCIe and external SSDs

Another part of Team Group's T-FORCe series is the Cardea, a gaming-oriented M.2 PCIe solid state drive (SSD) equipped with a heat spreader and offers a sequential performance ranging from 1400MB/s to 2600MB/s and a random access rating of up to 180,000/140,000 read/write IOPS. For users who are just starting to switch to the M.2 PCIe standard, Team Group has its latest P30 model which promises to boost OS responsiveness and app loading time.

Team Group extends its expertise in SSD manufacturing to external storage segment. The successor to the PD700, the new PD500 is clad in a shock-proof durable chassis and is equipped with USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity. 

Memory cards 

Flash-based memory card solutions were also abundant at Team Group's showroom. Among the fastest comes from the brand's GO CARD series which complies with the UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3) and the SD 5.0 standards, offering up to 90/60MB/s read/write speeds. The GO CARD series is recommended for action cameras.

Arriving in color schemes of Blueberry Blue, Lime Green, and Peach Pink (to name a few), Team Group's COLOR CARD II series flaunts diamond pattern design and 3D visual impression. The cards from this series are ideal for 4K UHD and Full HD video recording. In addition, Team Group introduced this year the A1 CARD, the company's first memory card specially designed for smartphones. Compliant with the SD 5.1 standard, the A1 CARD offers up to 1500 IOPS of read and write speeds.

Maximizing the use of its memory cards, Team Group also provides users the Mostash Apple MFi-certified card reader.

Apple MFi-certified Type-C mobile peripherals

At Computex 2017, Team Group also released a series of Apple MFi-certified charging cables, comprising of models namely the WC06, WC07, and the WC08. Another model, the WC0A is a charging cable that is compatible with all kinds of Type-C digital products and has a lightning bolt icon that serves as a LED charging indicator. Meanwhile, the WC0C helps users save money from buying multiple cables, as it is compatible with Type-C, Lightning, and micro-USB devices.

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