Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 Memory Review

By Olin Coles

Manufacturer: Patriot Memory
Product Name: Viper Steel DDR4 PC4-28800 3600 MHz Gaming Memory
Model Number: PE000636-PVS416G360C7K
UPC: 0814914025536
Price As Tested: $169.99 (Newegg | Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Patriot.

Once upon a time consumer memory kits were plain and boring, with bare RAM modules exposing the sensitive components. Then, in 2003, the Patriot Memory series changed landscape by adding metal heat shields to dissipate heat away from the IC’s. Not only did this add a fresh new look to SDRAM, but it offered stability for overclockers. Fifteen years later, Patriot Memory is still assembling their own SDRAM modules and evolving the technology. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we examine Patriot’s new Viper Steel DDR4 PC4-28800 3600 MHz gaming memory.

Features and Specifications provided below are supplied courtesy Patriot Memory.

• Series: Viper Steel DDR4
• Edition: Gunmetal grey sides with diamond-cutting Viper logo / Black top
• Aluminum heat spreader with unique and specific design element
• Compatibility: Tested on the latest Intel premium/high-end platforms and i7 processors
• Limited lifetime warranty

• Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB)
• Base Frequency: PC4-17000 (2133 MHz)
• Base Timings: 15-15-15-36
• Tested Frequency: PC4-28800 (3600 MHz)
• Tested Timings: 17-19-19-39
• Voltage: 1.35V
• Format: NON-ECC Unbuffered DIMM
• Pin Out: 288-Pin

Designed with XMP 2.0 support, Patriot’s Viper Steel 3600 MHz gaming memory, model number PVS416G360C7K, sells online for $169.99 (Newegg | Amazon) as of April 2019. This PC4-28800 kit includes two 8GB modules, viper decals, and an installation guide.

Patriot specifies Viper Steel’s standard JEDEC ‘Base Frequency’ as PC4-17000 (2133 MHz), and markets the kit as PC4-28800 to match its tested XMP speed of 3600 MHz. We used AIDA64 to verify these speeds, and thoroughly tested each module for stability without issue – even beyond 3600 MHz.

The Patriot Viper Steel memory series offers gamers a DDR4 solution available in nine speeds ranging from PC4-24000 (3000 MHz) soaring up to PC4-35200 (4400 MHz!), each adorned with the gunmetal grey heatshield design.

While gaming memory is often subjected to harsh overclocking that can reduce the product’s lifespan, Patriot offers their Viper Steel series with a limited lifetime warranty.

Available with gunmetal grey aluminum heatshields, Viper Steel offers improved heat dissipation for stable performance. If grey isn’t to your liking and RGB color schemes are desired, then Patriot has that covered, too.

Patriot’s Viper Steel DDR4 offers impressive speeds up to 4400 MHz to really make these modules sing.

IMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes occurring after publication which might render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on this conclusion, as it represents our rating specifically for the item tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate.

Our performance rating compares how well the Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 memory operated at its standard JEDEC ‘Base Frequency’ of PC4-17000 (2133 MHz) with 15-15-15-36 timing, and also its tested XMP 2.0 Profile speed of PC4-28800 (3600 MHz) with 17-19-19-39 timing. We used AIDA64 to verify these speeds, and thoroughly tested each module for stability without issue – even past 3600 MHz without additional voltage beyond 1.35V.

In terms of appearance, Patriot’s Viper Steel does not try to stand out in a market filled with nearly a thousand DDR4 memory solutions. Instead, the gunmetal grey aluminum heat spreaders do their part to cool the Viper Steel series as it performs at speeds rated from PC4-24000 (3000 MHz) up to PC4-35200 (4400 MHz).

Construction is solid for these modules, and the aluminum heat spreader adds to the durability. Patriot offers a limited lifetime warranty on their Viper Steel DDR4 series, so if there is every a concern consumers may submit a service request ticket to Patriot here or email tech support at [email protected].

With regard to functionality, this is already very fast DDR memory capable of PC4-28800 3600 MHz speeds, but we cannot discount that these speedy modules still go above and beyond the XMP profile.

As of April 2019, the PVS416G360C7K kit (as well as some of the other faster-rated Viper Steel kits) sells online for $169.99 (Newegg | Amazon). This price comes in right around the same price as other DDR4 kits of this speed.

In summary, if you’re looking for high-performance DDR4 memory with plenty of overclocking headroom and a lifetime warranty, Patriot’s Viper Steel series offers several affordable solutions for your gaming system.

+ Plenty of overclocking headroom
+ Available in speeds up to PC4-35200 (4400 MHz)

– Still searching…

• Performance: 9.25
• Appearance: 8.50
• Construction: 9.50
• Functionality: 9.25
• Value: 8.75

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.