Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 vs G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB
Best value of the 2 kits compared is the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB, at $16.789/GB β it is the only kit here that is both priced and in stock, which makes it the default pick until the others return.
Add to comparison (2/5)
Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 vs G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB: full breakdown
Value: price per gigabyte
The G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB is the only kit here that is both in stock and priced, working out to $16.789/GB. Out-of-stock kits are excluded from the price winner, which leaves Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 out of the ranking above.
Capacity and module layout
The Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 is 2x8GB and the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB is 2x16GB. Total capacity runs from 16GB on the Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 to 32GB on the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB β 100% more memory. All of them ship as matched multi-module sets, so each populates at least two channels out of the box; on a four-slot board that still leaves room to add capacity later.
Speed and latency
Clocks and timings: the Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 at 4,000 MT/s CL18 and the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB at 4,266 MT/s CL17. The G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB clocks highest at 4,266 MT/s, 7% above the Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 at 4,000 MT/s. True latency, where lower is better, favours the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB at 8 ns against 9 ns on the Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18. That is the figure that settles a higher-CAS-at-higher-clock argument; MT/s or CAS on its own does not.
Current price against MSRP
Current listings: the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB at $537.25. Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 is out of stock, so its price is the last recorded rather than something you can pay today. No MSRP is on file for any of these kits, so street price is the only reference point.
Which of these 2 kits should you buy?
Buy the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB. It is the cheapest per gigabyte of the 2 kits compared at $16.789/GB, and it is in stock, which is the whole question price per GB is meant to settle. That recommendation ignores Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18, which is out of stock.
Technical Specifications Comparison
Capacity & Modules
| Specification | Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 | G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | 16GB | 32GBβ |
| Module layout | 2Γ8GB | 2Γ16GB |
| Module count | 2 | 2 |
| Form factor | UDIMM | UDIMM |
| Category | desktop | desktop |
Speed & Latency
| Specification | Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 | G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Speed | 4,000 MT/s | 4,266 MT/sβ |
| CAS latency | CL18 | CL17β |
| True latency | 9.0 ns | 8.0 nsβ |
Features
| Specification | Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 | G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB |
|---|---|---|
| ECC support | No | No |
| RGB lighting | Yes | Yes |
Pricing & Value
| Specification | Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 | G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x16GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | β | β |
| Best price | Out of stock | $537.25β |
| Price per GB | $13.125β | $16.789 |