KLEVV Cras 3200MHz 16GB DDR4 Review

1. Introduction & Closer Look2. System Configuration3. Tests: Memory Metrics4. Tests: Memory Performance5. Overclocking: Frequencies & Performance6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

You may not have heard of KLEVV – the newest player on the consumer memory scene. KLEVV's parent company, Essencore, falls under the same SK Group umbrella corporation as semiconductor giant SK Hynix. Thus KLEVV is practically a consumer memory arm for SK Hynix's DRAM production capabilities. The setup is not too dissimilar to Micron, which sells memory products from its fabs under the Crucial brand.

So what does the close tie to SK Hynix give KLEVV? Preference on DRAM batches and their operating capabilities would be good assumptions as to some of the factors that a close business tie allows.

We are looking at KLEVV‘s flagship DDR4 memory line – the Cras series. The specific kit that we are examining is KLEVV's fastest available set of memory with operational characteristics of 3200MHz and 16-18-18 timings in a 16GB set.

KLEVV uses premium packaging to house the four sticks of memory. One slight misfortune of using such premium packaging is that potential buyers are given no look at the memory styling before opening the box.

Four 4GB sticks form our 16GB memory kit. KLEVV also sells Cras memory in 8GB (2x4GB), 16GB (2x8GB), and 32GB (4x8GB) capacities with a range of frequencies.

Styling of the modules is very appealing. A silver strip with branding names on either side splits a black, patched plate-style heatspreader. I am pleased to report that KLEVV is using a black PCB, despite how little is shown past the sizable heatsink.

At 56mm-tall, around 20mm taller than a DDR4 memory stick's PCB, KLEVV's Cras modules are certain to cause interference with the biggest CPU heatsinks. The solid metal heatsinks will help those looking to push voltages, however they are more of an interfering inconvenience or piece of eye-candy at the default operating frequency. Our stress testing never saw the modules' recorded temperatures rise above 40C.

Branding of the KLEVV name and the Cras memory series is highlighted on the silver heatsink strip. The heatsink can be disassembled and removed thanks to accessible hexagonal screws.

The enthusiast orientation for KLEVV's Cras memory modules is identifiable by the ease at which the heatspreader can be removed. Many enthusiast overclockers will be eager to remove the stock heatsinks, slap on some LN2-capable kit, and crank the voltage until the underlying SK Hynix memory ICs show their potential at higher frequencies.

A transparent strip running along the heatsink's top edge allows LED lighting to be shone from the modules. Our kit uses red LEDs, although a white alternative is available.

I did not find a way to disable the static LEDs, so that could be an annoyance for users whose colour scheme or individual preference does not call for red or white lighting.

Specifications:

• Model: KLEVV Cras 3200MHz.
• Frequency: 3200MHz (PC4-25600).
• Timings: 16-18-18-36-2T.
• Voltage: 1.35V.
• Four DIMM Kit: 16GB (4x 4GB).
• XMP 2.0 Ready.
• Lifetime Warranty.

Our testing is conducted using an overclocked Intel Core i7 5960X processor with an Asus X99 Deluxe motherboard.

The KLEVV Cras 3200MHz 16GB memory kit's XMP configuration is: 3200MHz 16-18-18-36-2T @ 1.35V.

DDR4 Memory Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 5960X Engineering Sample (4.4GHz CPU, 4.2GHz CPU Cache).
• Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe (BIOS 1601).
• Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 980 Ti Reference.
• System Drive: 500GB Samsung 840 SSD.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 1000W.
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit.

Comparison memory:

• 16GB (4x4GB) Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz 16-18-18-36 DDR4 @ 1.35V.
• 32GB (4x8GB) Crucial CT4K8G4DFD8213 2133MHz 15-15-15-36-2T @ 1.20V.

Tests:

• SiSoft Sandra 2015 SP2b (v2142) – Memory bandwidth test.
• AIDA64 Engineer – Memory latency test.
• Cinebench R15 – All-core CPU benchmark.
• 7-Zip 15.05 beta – Manual 1.23GB 1080P video archival (CPU)
• HandBrake 0.10.2 – Convert 1.23GB 1080P game recording using the High Profile setting and MP4 container (CPU)
• Grand Theft Auto V – 1920 x 1080, maximum quality, 2x AA.

Sandra Memory Bandwidth

AIDA64 Memory Latency

KLEVV's 3200MHz Cras memory shows almost identical performance to that of Corsair's 3200MHz Vengeance LPX modules. That doesn't really come as a surprise seeing as both kits use identical operating frequencies, timings, and capacities. It would come as no surprise if Corsair was, in fact, using SK Hynix memory IC's for its modules.

Cinebench R15

We used the ‘CPU’ test built into Cinebench R15 to measure the effect that system memory has on computational performance.

Handbrake Conversion

We measured the average frame rate achieved for a task of converting a 1.23GB 1080P game recording using the High Profile setting and MP4 container.

7-Zip

We manually archive a 1.23GB MP4 game recording to test the performance in 7-Zip.

Grand Theft Auto V

We apply very near maximum settings in Grand Theft Auto V and a 1920×1080 resolution to push today’s hardware. Our data was recorded using the built-in benchmark.

KLEVV's 3200MHz C16 Cras memory continues to trade blows with Corsair's practically identical Vengeance LPX kit. GTA V shows a small preference for the KLEVV modules, although this is related to variations in the benchmark runs.

Benefits of a 3200MHz clock over 2133MHz are small, however they are noticeable in certain workloads (namely archival performance and some media workloads).

We maintained the DRAM voltage at 1.35V and the timings at their 16-18-18-36-2T stock values for the overclocking testing. Our goal is to increase the motherboard dividers and see where KLEVV’s memory kit refuses to hold stability in the AIDA64 stress test.

We were actually unable to boost the system with an increased DRAM frequency so our attention turned to tightening timings.

The best stable result that we could achieve was maintaining the memory's default 3200MHz speed but tightening the timings to 16-17-17-36-1T.

Tightening the timings by a small amount had an almost indistinguishable effect on performance. The minimum frame rates in GTA V seemed to drop, however this is a by-product of slight variances between the benchmark runs.

The KLEVV Cras 3200MHz C16 16GB set of memory is a solid high-speed kit that holds perfectly stable with its out-of-the-box XMP setting.

Performance from the modules is comparable to that of Corsair's 3200MHz Vengeance LPX set. The gains of 3200MHz memory over a basic 2133MHz set are small and inconsistent, however some demanding workloads such as file archival and media work can show minor performance benefits for the high bandwidth memory.

Given the already-high 3200MHz operating frequency of the memory modules, our overclocking testing was limited to lowering latency. We managed to tighten the memory timings to 16-17-17-36-1T without compromising on the 3200MHz speed or 1.35V DRAM voltage.

KLEVV's design for the Cras modules is highly attractive and well-complemented by a choice of red or white LED lighting. The tall heatsinks will cause inconvenience for users with large CPU air coolers, however the ease at which they can be removed will impress enthusiast sub-zero overclockers.

Availability of the KLEVV Cras modules is currently very limited, with only Amazon seeming to stock the 2800MHz and 3000MHz variants in the UK. We are told that Amazon UK and OCUK should be getting stock boosts soon. The 3000MHz 16GB kit is currently available for £216.92 at Amazon, putting KLEVV's Cras set above even Corsair Dominator Platinum pricing territory.

The Cras modules from KLEVV aren't designed to win any value-orientated awards – future lower spec modules from the company will tend to the value DDR4 market. What KLEVV‘s Cras modules do is offer memory with very high operating frequencies, a superb heatsink design, and some eye-catching LED lighting. To some buyers, that may be worth paying extra for.

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Pros:

• Attractive styling and white or red LEDs.
• Very effective heatspreader.
• High operating frequency.

Cons:

• Tall heatspreaders may cause CPU cooler interference.
• KLEVV's Cras pricing seems very high and availability is poor.

KitGuru says: A well-cooled, eye-catching set of memory with high-speed out-of-the-box operation. But pricing and availability need significant improvements before a broader audience can show interest in KLEVV's flagship DDR4 modules.

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