Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 3600MHz 32GB Memory Review

1. Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 2x16GB 3600MHz2. Testing Methodology3. Compute and Productivity Tests4. Memory Benchmarks5. Gaming Tests & Overclocking6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

Corsair’s Vengeance RGB Pro memory modules have long been a go-to option for enthusiasts and gamers alike. With the new Vengeance RGB Pro SL kit, Corsair is aiming to strike the same balance between solid performance, reasonable pricing, and an appealing RGB lightbar.

One key differentiator for the new SL modules, however, is the reduced height. Dropping down to 44mm tall – rather than the 51mm of the original Vengeance RGB Pro sticks – the SL modules represent a huge improvement for users with oversized CPU coolers or roof chassis fans.

Better yet, Corsair still manages to maintain a dynamic ten-zone RGB lighting system that, of course, integrates seamlessly with the excellent iCUE platform. And the onboard temperature sensor data can also be displayed through iCUE, which is a good bonus for tweakers.

Available in both black and white heatspreader form with 16GB to 128GB capacities and 3200MHz or 3600MHz frequencies, Corsair is aiming to give buyers a reasonable amount of choice with the new Vengeance RGB Pro SL memory kits.

We are testing a 32GB (2x16GB) dual-channel kit with the black aluminium heatspreader. The operating speed is rated at 3600MHz and the timings are 18-22-22-42 at 1.35V, which is pretty slack but not uncommon for the price point.

Corsair is using Micron D9XPF ‘B-die’ ICs according to Thaiphoon Burner. Notable is the single-rank configuration for the 16GB DIMMs in our test kit. This will undeniably hurt performance in memory-intensive tests versus the typical dual-rank competitors that we often see in 2x16GB 3600MHz sets.

With an MSRP of £209.99 for our 2x16GB DDR4-3600MHz C18 (CMH32GX4M2Z3600C18) Vengeance RGB Pro SL memory kit, let’s take a look at the performance.

• Model Number: CMH32GX4M2Z3600C18
• Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB)
• Rated Frequency: DDR4-3600MHz
• Rated Timings: 18-22-22-42
• Voltage: 1.35V
• Format: Non-ECC Unbuffered 288-pin DIMM

We will be outlining the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL DDR4 memory’s performance with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU, ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero motherboard, and a Gigabyte RTX 3080 Eagle OC graphics card.

The processor is overclocked to a static 4.6GHz to take any clock speed variability from Precision Boost 2 out of the performance equation.

Test System:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X overclocked to 4.6GHz all core.
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero.
• Graphics Card: Gigabyte RTX 3080 Eagle OC.
• System Drive: WD_Black SN750 SSD.
• CPU Cooler: Fractal Celsius+ S28 Prisma 280mm AIO.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1000 1000W.
• Case: Lian Li Open-air Test Bench.
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit.

Comparison Memory Kits:

• 2x16GB Patriot Viper Steel RGB 3600MHz 20-26-26-46 (Hynix AFR ICs, dual rank configuration)
• 4x8GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB (White) 3600MHz 18-19-19-39 (Micron E-die ICs, effective dual rank configuration)
• 2x32GB Patriot Viper Steel 3600MHz 18-22-22-42 (SpecTek MT40 ICs, dual rank configuration)

Tests:

• 7-Zip – Built-in 7-Zip benchmark test (CPU & Memory)
• Cinebench R20 – All-core & single-core CPU benchmark (CPU & Memory)
• Blender 2.90 – All-core rendering of the Classroom benchmark (CPU & Memory)
• SiSoft Sandra – Memory bandwidth (Memory)
• AIDA64 – Memory bandwidth, memory latency (Memory)
• 3DMark TimeSpy – Time Spy (1440p) test (Gaming)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider – 1920 x 1080, Highest quality preset, no AA, DX12 version (Gaming)

Compute and Productivity Tests

Corsair's Vengeance RGB Pro SL kit is clearly hampered by its single rank configuration even when looking at price competitors with technically worse timings, such as Patriot's Viper Steel RGB.

This is a disappointing start to the performance numbers. Dual-rank beating single-rank is a known factor, especially with modern AMD platforms. As such, it is odd for Corsair to choose a single-rank configuration yet still market the kit as AMD Ryzen optimised.

Memory Benchmarks

We see more of the same in the memory specific tests; despite offering technically tighter timings than the competing Patriot Viper Steel RGB kit, Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL modules are lacking in performance due to the single-rank configuration.

The latency performance according to AIDA does prove reasonable, however.

Gaming Tests

Even in games, the performance difference between 2x16GB 3600MHz C18 single-rank versus 2x16GB 3600MHz dual-rank memory with looser timings is clearly evident.

Overclocking

When it comes to overclocking, we first increase the DRAM voltage to 1.45V and check how far we can push the frequency whilst maintaining stock timings. We topped out at 3800MHz DDR4 frequency as 4000MHz would not POST. Now it was time to see how far we could tighten the timings at 3800MHz and 1.45V.

Our best overclocking result was 3800MHz DDR4 frequency using timings of 16-21-21-21 at 1.45V. We also managed to push the Infinity Fabric clock to 1900MHz, which tied in nicely with the 1900MHz DRAM and memory controller clock on our Ryzen 9 5950X processor.

This represents a small increase to the DRAM clock along with a small – but worthwhile – tightening of the timings to CL16. An extra bit of free performance is always good to see in our opinion.

Corsair has delivered with the Vengeance RGB Pro SL modules by delivering the same aesthetic design as the standard Vengeance RGB Pro, but shrinking the heatspreader and making the sticks more usable in the process. We like this design decision – improved compatibility with CPU coolers and cases is seldom a negative.

Focussing first on performance, we have test data from a somewhat direct competitor in Patriot's Viper Steel RGB 2x16GB 3600MHz kit that costs around £170 in the UK. Let's not make any mistakes – this Patriot kit is far from a performance set of memory, with timings rated at a poor 20-26-26-46. However, the tighter and more expensive Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL kit consistently delivers lower performance in our AMD platform testing.

This point highlights the single-rank versus dual-rank comparison which is a perfectly valid factor when comparing kits of similar capacity and price point. Performance differences are tangible on AMD's Ryzen platform – with Zen 3 being particularly sensitive. That same level of rank interleaving sensitivity is not necessarily the case for users on an Intel platform.

Overclocking was reasonable, with 200MHz added to the DRAM frequency and a tightening of the timings permitted by higher operating voltage. The 3800MHz that we achieved also tied in nicely with a 1900MHz fabric clock.

The Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL modules have some clear positives. The 44mm height is an excellent, consumer-friendly move that aids CPU cooler choice without sacrificing notable cooling performance or LED light quality. Corsair's iCUE integration between the ten-zone RGB system on the memory sticks and other system components is market-leading. And we appreciate the choice of capacities, white or black heatspreaders, and sensible speed options.

With that said, the performance that we are seeing from the single-rank, Micron B-die 16GB DIMMs with relatively slack timings leaves plenty to be desired. That is especially true with the price tag commanding a little over £200 spend.

Corsair's Vengeance RGB Pro SL 2x16GB single-rank kit is clearly one for those who prefer aesthetics, iCUE integration, and a short heatspreader over raw performance. Of course, there are different capacities and DIMM configurations also available, so they may be worth looking into for your needs, especially if you will be running four DIMMs to mandate the benefits of rank interleaving.

The 32GB (2x16GB) Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 3600MHz C18 ‘Ryzen Optimised' memory kit is currently available at Scan for £206.54.

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Pros:

• Same excellent aesthetics as Vengeance RGB Pro.
• Shorter heatspreader design is smart and convenient.
• Strong lighting setup with 10 addressable RGB LEDs.
• Excellent iCUE integration.
• Some overclocking headroom is a positive.

Cons:

• Expensive.
• Limited performance from single-rank, Micron B-die 16GB DIMMs.

KitGuru says: Corsair has done a superb job with the aesthetic, functional, and RGB lighting design of the Vengeance RGB Pro SP. Unfortunately, though, the single-rank configuration and slack timings of our 2x16GB kit result in lower performance than we would like at the price point. This is a kit for those who value aesthetics and CPU cooler compatibility very, very heavily.

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