We were inadvertently sent some Patriot Viper Elite Series DDR4 memory awhile back to review, but at the time I didn’t have a desktop to test it on. Having spent some time with the Lenovo ideacentre Y900 gaming desktop, I took the opportunity to also check out the performance of the Viper DDR4 memory.
Specifications
The Patriot Viper DDR4 memory we tested has the following specifications:
- Capacity: 16GB
- Memory Speed: 3000MHz
- DRAM Memory Technology: DDR4
- DRAM Memory Timings: 16-16-16-36
- Color: Black/Red
- Memory Type: Non-ECC Unbuffered
- Voltage: 1.35V
- Memory Configuration: Dual Channel Kit
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- Dimensions: 1.37 x 12.24 x 17.78 cm
What’s in the Box
- 2x 8GB PC4-24000 3000MHz DDR4 memory sticks
Design
Patriot’s Viper Elite memory modules were designed for the latest Intel platforms, and are offered in dual channel kits of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB configurations with speeds from 2400MHz up to 3200MHz.
The Viper Elite Series DDR4 memory looks more or less like your average memory chip, with the exception of a silver and red heat shield mounted on the top of each chip (on our review samples). The heat shields are also available in grey or blue for most configurations.
The Viper Elite Series memory modules are also hand-tested and backed by a lifetime warranty.
Ease of Use
Like any other memory, the Viper Elite Series memory modules are easy to use — simply open up your desktop case (after you’ve unplugged it of course), remove your existing memory modules, and insert the Viper Elite Series memory modules. In the case of the ideacentre Y900, the four memory slots were colour-coded — two black and two red. I placed the memory in two matching coloured slots, closed up the machine, and fired it up and everything was good to go.
Performance
The Lenovo ideacentre Y900 came with a single Samsung M378A2K43BB1-CPB 16GB memory module which clocked in at 2133MHz. I had no complaints about the performance though as the Y900 ran everything I could throw at it handily. Given the Patriot Viper Elite Series memory modules I had clocks in at 3000MHz, I obviously expected to see a performance gain, and I did as can be seen in the screenshots from the tests I ran below.
The first test I ran was with the UserBenchmark app. Keep in mind I didn’t enable XMP or overclock in any way, so these tests are based on default performance and as seen in the UserBenchmark test the Viper Elite Series memory was running at 2133MHz as well and not the full 3000MHz it’s capable of with XMP enabled.
Next, I ran a Novabench test comparison:
As you can see in both cases, the Viper Elite Series DDR4 memory modules performed better — as was expected. Finally, I fired up the 3DMark Fire Strike test that I performed for the ideacentre Y900 review and with the Patriot Viper memory it scored a 15,826 over the 15,418 with the Samsung RAM the machine shipped with.
Price/Value
With an MSRP of $104.99USD (for our review sample of the 2x8GB DDR4 PC4-24000 3000MHz memory kit), the price is generally in line with similar options. The kit is currently on sale on Amazon for $98.99USD which saves you a few dollars if you’re building or upgrading your desktop system. Given the improved performance I saw over the memory modules that came with the system I tested it on, you’re definitely getting some extra value here.
Wrap-up
If you’re looking for some decent RAM for your desktop computer to enhance performance, the Viper Elite Series DDR4 memory modules provide improved performance and support for Intel X99 and 100 systems.
[rwp-review id=”0″]
