Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 vs G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x8GB 4000 CL15
Best value of the 2 kits compared is the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x8GB 4000 CL15, at $21.934/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 2x8GB 4000 CL15: full breakdown
Value: price per gigabyte
The G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x8GB 4000 CL15 is the only kit here that is both in stock and priced, working out to $21.934/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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 is 2x8GB. Every kit here totals 16GB, so capacity is not the deciding factor. 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 at 4,000 MT/s CL15. True latency, where lower is better, favours the G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x8GB 4000 CL15 at 7.5 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 at $350.95. 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15. It is the cheapest per gigabyte of the 2 kits compared at $21.934/GB, and it is in stock, which is the whole question price per GB is meant to settle. If raw speed matters more to you than cost per gigabyte, the Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 is the faster kit at 4,000 MT/s β expect to pay for it. 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 |
|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | 16GBβ | 16GB |
| Module layout | 2Γ8GB | 2Γ8GB |
| 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Speed | 4,000 MT/sβ | 4,000 MT/s |
| CAS latency | CL18 | CL15β |
| True latency | 9.0 ns | 7.5 nsβ |
Features
| Specification | Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 2x8GB 4000 CL18 | G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4266 2x8GB 4000 CL15 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2x8GB 4000 CL15 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | β | β |
| Best price | Out of stock | $350.95β |
| Price per GB | $13.125β | $21.934 |