Building on the success of the Predator series for DDR4, Acer is revamping it in collaboration with BIWIN Storage. Right now, Acer offers three different Predator series for DDR5. First up is Predator Vesta II, which shares a striking resemblance with its predecessor. The Predator Hermes, which will be discussed in this review today, is the third, and the second is the Predator Pallas II. Customers can choose from three series of memory configurations with 5600 MT/s to 8000 MT/s in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 48 GB sizes (depending on the series).
With a single 6800 MT/s Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) profile using 32-45-45-108 primary timings at 1.40 V and a 10-layer PCB, the Acer Predator Hermes DDR5-6800 32 GB kit review today is equipped with. For improved heat dissipation, a 40 mm fan is also included. As with ASUS Aura, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light, and ASRock Polychrome Sync software, Acer maintains its excellent RGB integration with eight independent lighting areas and sixteen million colour options, ensuring maximum compatibility with various motherboard ARGB implementations.
Users of Intel-based systems who want to optimise their gaming performance without going overboard will find great satisfaction in this memory kit. There is headroom for overclocking for those that are brave enough! Before examining the potential performance gains that can be obtained by fine-tuning the memory, they will test it at its stated speed in this review. Let’s get started and compare this Acer Predator Hermes DDR5-6800 kit to the competition!
Specifications Acer Predator Hermes DDR5-6800
| Specifications & SPD Profiles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Acer | |
| Series: | Predator Hermes | |
| Model: | BL.9BWWR.401 | |
| Tested Capacity: | 32 GB (2x 16 GB) | |
| Registered/Unbuffered: | Unbuffered | |
| Error Checking: | ECC (resting) | |
| Form Factor: | 288-pin DIMM | |
| Dimensions (L x H x W): | N/A | |
| IC Manufacturer: | SK Hynix | |
| Warranty: | Limited Lifetime | |
| Ranks: | Single-Rank | |
| XMP / EXPO Profile: | XMP-1 | JEDEC |
| Speed Rating: | DDR5-6800 MT/s | DDR5-5600 MT/s |
| Rated Timings: | 32-45-45-108-153 | 50-45-45-90-135 |
| Tested Voltage: | 1.40 V | 1.10 V |
Packaging
Ace’s packaging highlights that it is a high-end product once more by going above and beyond. In keeping with the Acer Predator branding, the presentation has a gaming vibe to it. The RGB badges supporting ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync are displayed across the top of the box along with the Predator brand logo. A sticker indicating what should be in the box is located at the bottom right. In this instance, 32 GB of DDR5-6800 are included in the sample.
The slightly out of place disclaimer on the back of the Acer Predator memory kit goes along with the product because it is a licenced product to BWIN. This is a nice way to say that Acer owns the intellectual property but licences the Predator brand to BIWIN for use in the production of this Predator DDR5 memory kit.
Upon taking off the outer sleeve and opening the box, one can observe the Acer Predator Hermes RGB DIMMs, securely enclosed within the plastic shell to prevent scratches during transit. There is a memory fan kit and installation instructions underneath the memory.
Acer DDR5-6800 Closer Look
Vesta II, Pallas II, and Hermes are Acer’s current three DDR5 series offered under the Predator brand. Three colour options are available for the Hermes: black, white, and silver. The overall shape and appearance are similar to the Vesta II, but several modifications have been made to the heatsink to make it stand out on its own. The light diffuser has changed, which is the most noticeable change. Additionally, the heat spreader thickness (1.9 mm) and the use of a 10-layer PCB were modified in the specifications.
The Acer Predator branding is prominently displayed on the right side of each heat spreader, while the cutoff number five and a beehive pattern are located on the left.
The identification sticker is located on one side of every DIMM module. Despite using bold font to make the sticker easy to read, Acer doesn’t really make it easy to understand.
Initially, there is the 16 GB. Module dimensions are 1R8. Two ranks are denoted as 2R and one rank as 1R. Each DIMM has a single rank of 16 GB on one side of the PCB, for a total of 16 GB. The PC5 6800 comes next. This is an amalgam of the DDR5-6800 memory’s XMP profile and PC5-54400. For this specific Predator Hermes memory kit XMP profile, the 6800 MT/s primary DRAM timings are shown in the line that follows.
“Hermes” is written in black on one corner when the DIMMs are arranged sideways. Upon turning on the system, the entire plastic strip in the middle will light up, and motherboard software that is compatible with the lighting system can control the lighting. The weight of the Acer Predator Hermes DDR5-6800 kit is 92 grammes. It measures 52 mm when rounded up for Z-height. These DIMMs are heavier and taller than those of the competition!
Memory rated for DDR5-6800 and higher is included in the fan kit from Acer. Given that faster memory can and will eventually reach unstable temperatures for performance tier memory, it’s interesting that Acer is the first to implement this for DDR5. It makes me think of the days when DDR2 had large heatsinks affixed to the memory or the fan assemblies. If speeds continue to rise, this is the path that DDR5 might take
What then is contained here? Acer provides a fast installation manual, screws, a metal bracket, and a 40 mm fan. There were no issues with the installation; it was simple and easy. The fan specifications a maximum air flow rate of 4.72 CFM and a noise rating of 29.9 dB are taken at face value. The fan is not overtly noticeable and offers a respectable amount of airflow overall.
These are single-sided DIMMs with eight 2 GB ICs when the heatspreaders are removed. For DDR5 DIMMs with 16 GB, this is to be expected. A tiny heat pad is present on the PMIC of this specific kit, but there is none for the other parts.
Upon closer inspection, the ICs identify these as SK Hynix (H5CG48AGBD-X018). It is shortened to SK Hynix 2 GB A-Die. The three companies that currently supply DDR5 ICs are Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix. At the moment, SK Hynix leads the high frequency memory market and has no direct competitors when it comes to higher frequency memory. Before 3 GB ICs were released, the world record was held by SK Hynix A-Die (2 GB), which is still regarded as a good option for high frequency overclocks combined with lower primary timings.
One of the main differences with DDR5 is that the memory module’s PMIC receives 5 V directly from the motherboard and is subsequently split and stepped down for proper voltage. The motherboard is no longer in charge of controlling the voltages, unlike with DDR4. With the PMIC’s part number, “5100 Y27K2R,” software indicates that GMT is the manufacturer.
Exam System
They can observe the Acer Predator Hermes RGB memory installed and operational. Similar to its DDR4 forerunner, the integrated lighting is homogeneous, making it nearly hard to identify individual LEDs. This is mostly because of how large the light bar diffuser is, nearly making the memory DIMMs even taller. In order to provide the customer additional aesthetic options, the Acer Predator Hermes is also available with black, white, and silver heatspreaders
