Mini-Jellyfish: ADATA Launches XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB Memory
by Anton Shilov on May 2, 2018 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Memory
- ADATA
- DDR4
- XPG
- Ryzen
- Skylake-X
- Coffee Lake
- XPG Spectrix D80
ADATA has started shipments of its new memory modules that feature hybrid air and liquid-based cooling systems along with RGB lighting. The new XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB modules use ADATA’s Jellyfish concept the company revealed earlier this year at CES, but in a less aggressive way than presented originally. ADATA’s concept submerged the memory chips in a non-conductive liquid, but the XPG Spectrix D80 liquid-cools only a part of the PCB.
ADATA plans to offer XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB DIMMs rated for DDR4-2666 to DDR4-3600 initially, targeting both AMD Ryzen and Intel Core platforms. The value-add of these modules is the cooling system, which according to ADATA, along with 'an advanced PCB', promise to enable a rather high overclocking potential.
Just like other high-end memory modules, ADATA’s XPG Spectrix D80 DIMMs rely on hand-picked memory chips as well as 10-layer PCBs featuring thermally conductive materials. Based on an image published by the manufacturer, the modules currently use DRAMs from SK Hynix. It is highly likely that ADATA takes a page from Corsair Dominator’s book and uses a special copper layer to transfer heat from DRAM ICs to the top of the PCB, but at this point the manufacturer does not confirm this officially.
The key feature of the XPG Spectrix D80 modules is their cooling system that features aluminum heat spreaders attached to the memory chips as well as a top bar with a non-conductive liquid attached to the top of the PCB. The liquid in the top bar behaves the same way as heat (vapor) chambers and heat pipes: it changes state to gas (or at least changes its viscosity) when heated and turns back to liquid when cooled down. This phase change absorbs a lot of thermal energy and takes the heat away from its source: in this case the PCB conducting heat from memory chips.
As an added bonus, when combined with RGB LEDs, the liquid in the top bars distorts the lighting effect, creating a more unique presentation - something that might please enthusiasts and modders. Speaking of the RGB lighting, it is necessary to note that the new modules ship with ADATA’s app that can synchronize their lighting with that of motherboards from ASUS, ASRock, GIGABYTE, and MSI. Meanwhile, since ADATA’s Jellyfish seems to be a work in progress, it is possible that eventually we will see different implementations of this concept.
Moving on to actual specifications of the products. As noted, the initial XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB memory modules will use 8 Gb DRAM ICs from SK Hynix rated for DDR4-2666 to DDR4-3600 at 1.20-1.35 Volts, but subsequently higher-performing SKUs could use other memory chips from different vendors. ADATA plans to offer XPG Spectrix D80 memory in dual-channel and quad-channel kits based on 8 GB or 16 GB modules, targeting various grades of enthusiast class systems. All the new DIMMs will support Intel’s XMP 2.0 SPD profiles.
ADATA’s initial XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB products will be available in the coming weeks. A 16 GB dual-channel DDR4-2666 kit will cost $199.99, whereas a more advanced 32 GB quad-channel DDR4-3000 kit will retail for $419.99.
| ADATA's XPG Spectrix D80 DDR4 RGB Memory Kits | |||||||
| Speed | Sub-Timings | Voltage | Kit Config. |
Kit Capacity |
Price | ||
| DDR4-2666 | CL16 16-16-? | 1.2 V | 2×8 GB | 16 GB | $199.99 | ||
| 4×8 GB | 32 GB | $399.99 | |||||
| DDR4-3000 | ? | ? | 2×8 GB | 16 GB | $209.99 | ||
| 4×8 GB | 32 GB | $419.99 | |||||
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Source: ADATA
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JoeyJoJo123 - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
Probably uses a 3M Novec type of phase change liquid. Not particularly sure how effective that'll be though. I don't imagine many people will be wanting to buy "Jellyfish" RAM at a price premium when RAM's already pretty damn expensive.Gunbuster - Thursday, May 3, 2018 - link
Probably uses baby oil or whatever is the cheapest sorta viscous looking liquid they could find. Don't worry they will pass a Novec level cost on to you anyway.GTRagnarok - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
How much cooling do you really need on RAM?PeachNCream - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
None. Laptops cram SODIMMs with bare ICs into relatively hot, confined spaces without any problems and that's been the case for as long as laptops have existed. Desktops with large interior spaces and much greater airflow resulting from case cooling fans should offer a far more favorable environment for the ICs on their DIMMs. Heat spreaders and now liquid cooling are just product differentiation methods designed to artificially fabricate stratification in an otherwise uninteresting commodity market so manufacturers can generate a larger per sale margin for buyers that are willing to endure higher costs in order to obtain intangible emotional satisfaction as they purchase something that offers the same functional outcome as a less expensive alternative.Flunk - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
A good thing too as this doesn't actually have any heatsinks to dissipate the heat, just a heat-spreader without any fins.Hxx - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
red heatsink with some weird logo on it. They just can't make modules that actually look good can they.Its like they are going for the most ostentatious design they can possible get away with. Im not sure why i refuse to believe that people prefer this over something minimalistic. oh wellPhrogChief - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
Because we've been stuck with dumb designs being the only ones put out, inevitably we need to buy boards, cpus, ram, etc, and then the manu's go "Wow, they really LOVE the malformed cyborg dragon junk we've whipped up", they make more, we wince, hold our nose, buy the board, and the cycle repeats... Mind you, I have no aversion to color, or even RGB (in moderation for god's sake), but damn... stuff these days has just about gone full retard; and as everyone knows, you NEVER go full retard...PhrogChief - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
Looks like total garbage. Been reading Anand since the early '00s, and finally had to register to comment. WHEN, MY GOD, WHEN will these manufacturers start making products that don't look like a 5 year-olds idea of what tech should look like??? Just gotta unload here... MSI with their stupid dragon on everything, gigabyte with their silly eagle and some sort of ancient egyptian angle, asus with their hamburgler guy plastered on everything... ENOUGH!I don't want / need cereal mascots on my tech gear. Give me clean lines, excellent functionality and some GD ENGINEERING for a change. As Jobs said, people don't know what they want until you give it to them. Kids / teens, "gamers" these days don't know good design because their not GIVEN good design... so this cartoonish slop ends up selling due to lack of proper choice, and the cycle continues. I mean c'mon Adata; 'Jellyfish' ram? Seriously? If I still drank I'd just about want to go get hammered after seeing more of this crap...
Flunk - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
So, when are we getting RGB CPUs? And I can't wait for those RGB power supplies, Bright searing RGB all over my monitors and RGB floormats.PhrogChief - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - link
Well, to be pedantic, hopefully your monitors ARE RGB, otherwise it sucks... ;)