By Steven Iglesias-Hearst
Manufacturer: AVEXIR
Product Name: Blitz 1.1 Series 8GB DDR3-1600C9 1.5V
Model Number: AVD3U16000904G-2BZ1
Price As Tested: MSRP $129.99 (North America) / €99.90 (Europe)
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by AVEXIR.
I love it when a company innovates and brings a product to market that people really want. AVEXIR have done just that with their Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC memory range – with designs based on popular gaming motherboard brands. For this review AVEXIR have kindly sent Benchmark Reviews a wide range of samples for our testing pleasure. For performance testing, two of the seven memory modules were paired together to form the equivalent of an 8GB dual channel 1600MHz CL9 memory kit (model# AVD3U16000904G-2BZ1). This review will showcase the Blitz 1.1 series PC memory range available from AVEXIR as well as providing vital performance information.
Source: AVEXIR
For Gamers:
- Hassle-free performance setting with INTEL XMP enhanced
- Random posing color LED enhanced gaming atmosphere
- 6-peice gaming design heat spreaders suits perfectly in your gaming PC cases
- Perfect match for INTEL high end chipset
For Overclockers:
- 6-peice detachable heat spreaders design is friendly for LN2 overclockers
- High performance voltage stabilizing generator
- Server grade resistor and capacitor helps every overclocker squeeze every MHz of it
- 2oz copper 8 layers PCB solves LN2 cold bug
- Speed (MHz): DDR3-1600
- Capacity (GB): 4GB x 2
- Timing (CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS): 9-9-9-24
- Bandwidth (MB/s): PC3-12800
- Voltage (V): 1.5V
- LED: White
- Height: 45mm
In this section we take a brief overview of the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory.
The review samples were sent out in very nice boxes. Normally PC memory ships in flat plain blister packs or cardboard boxes so the premium touch really appreciated.
The design of the memory modules is based on motherboard manufacturers performance brands. System builders and enthusiasts will now be able to tailor a build to their favorite brand to even finer detail. There is also an MSI Dragon gaming design (pictured below) but this wasn’t included inside the review package.
The AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory not only follows the design of your favorite brand but it also features built in LED lighting. Each series has a different color which pulses randomly when your PC is powered up.
The AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory features a 6-peice detachable heat spreader design (dismantles to 3 pieces) to allow for custom coolers to be attached. Server grade resistors and capacitors and a 2oz copper 8 layer PCB design ensure higher stability when overclocking. Dismantling requires the user to undo two screws and then simply detach the light bar and the sides will come away.
In this section we will take a closer, more detailed look at the design of the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory modules. As enthusiasts I’m certain that you won’t need me to tell you which motherboards in particular these memory modules are best paired with, and I won’t insult your intelligence. A brief description will follow each image.
Shown above is the AVEXIR branded memory module which would suit any red/black themed motherboard. Great for ASUS ROG owners that want to get in on the AVEXIR Blitz action, as there currently is no ASUS branded version. This module design features white LED’s.
Next we have the MSI MPOWER branded memory module. This module design features blue LED’s.
Next we have the Gigabyte Ultra Durable Orange branded memory module. This module design features orange LED’s.
Next we have the Gigabyte Ultra Durable Green branded memory module.This module design features green LED’s.
Next we have the ECS L337 Red branded memory module. This module design features red LED’s.
Next we have the ECS L337 Gold branded memory module. This module design features orange LED’s.
Last but not least we have the ASRock Z87 OC FORMULA Gold branded memory module. This module design features yellow LED’s.
For testing the AVD3U16000904G-2BZ1 memory kit, I will be using an INTEL Core i5 4670K CPU and an ASUS Z87I-PRO motherboard. There is but one caveat to the testing that I feel the need to mention. The configuration in question isn’t a dual channel kit – they are individual 4GB memory modules paired together for the purpose of testing only, and the results suffer slightly as a consequence of this. I’ll be comparing the AVEXIR Blitz memory against a Corsair Vengeance LP dual-channel DDR3 1600MHz RAM kit for baseline performance readings.
The Avexir Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC memory was tested at it’s default speeds and timings (1600MHz CL9-9-9-24 1.5V) and also at overclocked speeds and amended timings (1866MHz CL9-11-9-27 1.65V). The Corsair Vengeance LP kit was tested at its default speed and timings (1600MHz CL9-9-9-24 1.5V).
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Motherboard: ASUS Z87I-PRO
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System Memory 1: 8GB AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 1600MHz (CL9) 2 x 4GB
- System Memory 2: 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP 1600MHz (CL9) 2 x 4GB
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Processor: Core i5 4670K
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Video: Palit GeForce GTX 770
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Disk Drive 1: Kingston HyperX 120GB
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Monitor: HKC 22″ Widescreen (1920×1080)
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Operating System: Windows 7 Professional x64 (SP1)
- FinalWire AIDA64 v3.00.2500 Memory Tests
- Passmark Performance Test 8
- Sisoft Sandra Lite 2014 SP1a (20.21)
- Handbrake 0.9.9
Benchmark Reviews has used AIDA64 and its predecessor Lavalys Everest for years, mainly for its processor benchmarks and CPU stress-testing features. But it also includes a “Cache and Memory Benchmark” that performs read, write, and copy bandwidth tests on a system’s installed memory.
SiSoft’s Sandra Lite is a free version of SiSoftware’s “Sandra” benchmarking utility. Its comprehensive memory benchmark tests report a number of items, but we’re interested memory throughput tests. Unlike some other benchmarks that merely perform straight sequential reads and writes, Sandra reads and writes different areas of memory, using integer as well as floating point data, all in SMP mode.
All of the results were consistent and the native dual channel kit from Corsair was able to beat the pseudo dual channel AVEXIR blitz 1.1 kit when tested at their default speeds and timings. Overclocking the AVEXIR Blitz was relatively pain free (if not a little time consuming) and was rock solid during stability and performance testing. Overclocking the modules gave a modest performance increase in all of the tests which was very nice to see.
In the enthusiast PC sector performance is king and visuals come second. We all like attractive looking gear but it should not be your only selling point. With this said though, I have to admit that AVEXIR have really hit the nail on the head with the design of the Blitz 1.1 Series DDR3 PC Memory. There isn’t much that memory manufacturers can do to differentiate from one another across their entire range – only the design can set them apart. If looks could kill the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 Series DDR3 PC Memory would be at the top of the leader board in any game. It also has great performance potential and overclocking headroom to back up its good looks.
In this section I am going to write a brief five point summary on the following categories; Performance, Appearance, Construction, Functionality and Value. These views are my own and help me to give the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 Series DDR3 PC Memory a rating out of 10. A high or low score does not necessarily mean that it is better or worse than a similar memory kit that has been reviewed by another writer here at Benchmark Reviews, which may have got a higher or lower score. It is however a good indicator of whether the Blitz 1.1 Series is good or not. I would strongly urge you to read the entire review, if you have not already, so that you can make an educated decision for yourself.
For the purpose of performance testing I put together two of the seven single AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 4GB DDR3 PC Memory modules against a native dual channel Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB kit with the same ratings. As a result of this the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 configuration scored slightly lower than the corsair kit but pulled nicely ahead when oveclocked to 1866MHZ.
The AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 Series DDR3 PC Memory allows you to tailor your PC build to your preferred or favorite brand. This is something that MSI, ASUS and Gigabyte have been doing for a while with their motherboards and video cards and now finally AVEXIR have raised the game up with their new Blitz 1.1 Series. The LED’s pulse on and off at random intervals and there is no real pattern to them. This is all well and good but it would be nicer if they were either on all the time or if there were some sort of order to the flashing.
The AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory features a 6-peice detachable heat spreader design (dismantles to 3 pieces), server grade resistors and capacitors, and a 2oz copper 8 layer PCB design. These features are aimed towards overclockers as they serve to ensure higher stability when overclocking. The modules are very well constructed and are simple enough to take apart and put back together. There are only two screws holding the heatsinks to the memory module but so long as these are tightened down well there are no issues.
The AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 series DDR3 PC Memory functioned stably at its rated 1600MHz. It also functioned perfectly well at the overclocked speed of 1866MHz albeit with a slight adjustment to the timings and operating voltage. The kit is rated at CL 9-9-9-24 1.5V and ran overclocked at CL9-11-9-27 1.65V. Overall a very functional memory kit.
AVEXIR’s MSRP for the 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Kit (model# AVD3U16000904G-2BZ1) is $129.99 (North America) / €99.90 (Europe). You will have to pay a premium for this memory due to it’s unique design but it will be worth it if you are looking to build a themed PC.
I will sum up the AVEXIR Blitz 1.1 Series DDR3 PC Memory with one simple sentence: A great performing memory kit with excellent visuals and a premium price to match. Because of the high price the Blitz 1.1 Series will just fall short of the silver award but will get a much deserved ‘Recommended Product’ award instead.
+ Very unique design
+ Overclocks easily to 1866MHz
+ Great construction
+ Performance with stability
– Expensive enthusiast product
– LED’s just pulse randomly
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Performance: 8.00
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Appearance: 9.50
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Construction: 9.50
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Functionality: 9.00
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Value: 7.50
Recommended: Benchmark Reviews Seal of Approval.
COMMENT QUESTION: What are the key factors you consider when buying memory?
