Its a common misconception that faster memory means better performance in modern computers but in most cases, this is absolutely not the case. High-speed memory are usually enabled via XMP or similar technologies but going past a system’s rated is considered overclocking and in the professional workspace where stability and dependability is key to meeting critical deadlines, this is a big no-no. In such cases, stable specs are preferred. This is why you’ll see prebuilt PCs shipping with the maximum stable memory speeds supported by the platform. This guarantees that the system maker doesn’t get bogged by questions about speeds and potential instabilities.
Modern PCs now have very high default memory speeds but in gaming, more speed is preferred. But in multimedia and professional applications, more capacity is preferred. That said, with both video and graphics demanding higher and larger memory spaces and applications that work with them working better with larger memory than faster, the needs of creative individuals are now becoming more distinct than gaming memory. Currently, we have content creator targeted product lines for PCs and monitors and maybe motherboards but memories themselves are still stuck between the distinction of stock memory and gaming memory.
TEAMGROUP aims to change that with the release of their T-CREATE line. Today we’ll review the T-CREATE Classic 10L DDR4 memory. Arriving in strictly DDR4-2666 and DDR4-3200 speeds, these plug-and-play memory are also arriving in the most affordable 64GB kits as well together with 16GB and 32GB kits also. TEAMGROUP targets the T-CREATE at content creators and multimedia professionals who require stable yet capable RAM for their systems. In this review, we’ll be specifically looking at the 64GB kit from T-CREATE. With out of the box DDR4-3200 speeds and 64GB capacity, this RAM certainly ticks the right boxes for memory-hungry applications particularly 4K video editing. Read on to find out more about the TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 10L memory!
Features & Specifications
| Module Type | DDR4 288 Pin Unbuffered DIMM Non ECC | |
| Capacity | 8GBx2/ 16GBx2 / 32GBx2 | |
| Frequency | 2666 | 3200 |
| Data Transfer Bandwidth | 21,328 MB/s(PC4 21300) | 25,600 MB/s(PC4 25600) |
| Latency | CL19-19-19-43 | CL22-22-22-52 |
| Voltage | 1.2V | |
| Dimensions | 32(H) x 140(L) x 7(W)mm | |
| Heat Spreader | Aluminum heat spreader | |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
- Unbeatable classic with eye-catching features.
- 10 layers circuits design with professional anti-noise feature.
- Customized high-temperature resistant capacitor.
- Outstanding multitasking ability.
- The Lifetime warranty offers you peace of mind when creating.
Closer Look
As a new product line, TEAMGROUP creates a new packaging style for their T-Create products. A silver-grey, full-colored packaging style is the signature of the T-Create line with very elegant font selection to further exude that professional vibes that the lineup is targeting. The front features a shot of the product with features and details. Note the lack of marketing bullets especially XMP or Intel/Ryzen badge. This extends to the back where have cutouts for the actual product labels on the DIMMs as well as some more details like the use of a 10 layer PCB which, if you haven’t guessed yet, is the 10L in the product name. The modules are protected inside by a thermoformed plastic shell with a documentation slip.
The slip inside is actually the warranty slip which tells us that this memory has a lifetime warranty. We also receive a T-Create logo badge with the Classic 10L memory.
If you’re a fan of the TEAMGROUP or have been paying attention to their product releases, the design is quite familiar on the Classic 10L. For those unaware, these heatspreaders were initially used for TEAMGROUP’s T-Force Vulcan-Z gaming memory. It is not uncommon for heatspreaders to be reused among product line especially when they work. TEAMGROUP did make some changes particularly the metallic silver finish and the T-Create branding adorns this memory.
One thing to note about the T-Create Classic 10L is they are low-profile memories. Even at the largest capacities, the DIMM sizes are very low which means minimal compatibility issues with tower heatsinks. This also means that systems built by Lenovo, HP or others that use board covers to funnel air thru the case can work with these RAM if their systems can support the native speeds.
Speaking of native speeds, TEAMGROUP has selected DDR4-2666 and DDR4-3200 for the Classic 10L. As mentioned in the beginning, this is by choice and not memory restrictions or whatsoever. DDR4-2666 is currently the upper limit at which 10th-gen Intel Core CPUs operate while DDR4-3200 is for AMD Ryzen CPUs.
Performance Testing
Test Setup
Intel Setup
Processor: Intel Core i7 10700K
Motherboard: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XII EXTREME
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 10L 64GB (32GBx2) DDR4-3200 22-22-22-52 Storage: Patriot Viper VPN4100 1TB M.2
VGA: ZOTAC RTX 3080 Trinity
PSU:Â Seasonic Platinum 1050w
First, a word about overclocking and I’ll expand on this on the conclusion of this article: I’m not going to pursue overclocking on these modules. Yes you can and I have done DDR4-3600 on these sticks on 1.35v and CL20-20-20-41 but here’s the thing: if you’re planning to overclock these sticks then don’t get them. These DIMMs are meant to be stable at the ratings they operate it and if you have a memory-intensive application that benefits from faster clock, if the task pays enough to justify that speed bump then getting rated modules for that task is the better path to take.
CINEBENCH R20
AIDA64 Memory Benchmark
AIDA64 Memory Benchmark – Latency
Rainbow Six: Siege (1080p)
I’m including a game here just for reference for people that may be pulling double duty on their workstations.
User Experience & Conclusion
Having worked in corporate IT for 10 years, part of my work required me to formulate solutions to maximize reliability on most machines. Office machines are often fine on off-the-shelf solutions but the engineering department, having used branded prebuilts had specific requirements. This is where I realized that stability isn’t based if a PC boots and run your software fine in one lap. These are machines doing day-long renders and deadline-oriented projects where timely delivery of designs and renders are key into landing those million dollar deals. With that in mind, just like servers, slow and steady wins the race for workstations that deal with prolonged tasks like video or 3D rendering.
In my personal experience, 4K video editing, wherein you’re working with the timeline and laying out your clips, benefits more from larger memory size than faster RAM. The TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 10L memory doesn’t make this guarantee but its specced out to deliver for people that specifically look for this types of memory.
I have seen other media criticize this memory for its timing and performance and that’s completely unfair. The timings are fairly loose for a reason and most branded memories I’ve checked are around the same specs for office and workstation-intended memory. This is basically just that with a stylish heatsink. In most cases, TEAMGROUP is creating options for different markets. TEAMGROUP does offer the Vulcan Z, the exact gaming version of the T-Create at the same price. They are priced the same with a couple of difference like XMP and color options. The other difference is that the T-Create is plug-and-play at its rated speed at 1.2v, the T-Force DDR4-3200 variant is surprisingly at 1.45v and this is because the timings of the Vulcan-Z is CL16 vs CL22 on the T-Create, that is plenty of juice to boost that T-Force memory and in mission critical applications isn’t always welcome.
Finally we arrive at price. The top 10 DDR4-3200 64GB (32×2) kits in Newegg is flooded by TEAMGROUP and this says a lot about how the company is positioning themselves in the market. It also says that this is a price point they are confident with regardless of product line. Given that there are distinctions with the T-Force and T-Create options, the Classic 10L seems to be priced just right.
In closing, the advantage of this kit is its out-of-box clock rating and its a good foundation for a high-memory capacity workstation that should perform stable for projects that run for days. The TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 10L DDR4 memory kit is a great starting point for a dedicated content creation setup that requires refined dependability.
TEAMGROUP backs the T-Create Classic 10L with a lifetime warranty. We give it out B2G Recommended Seal!
