ADATA XPG Lancer RGB 32GB DDR5-7200 Limited Mera Edition Memory Kit Review

On Overclockers, we’ve seen ADATA memory kits many times. The XPG Lancer was also presented in the last few months. However, today we present quite an original addition to the DDR5 family – the Special Mera Edition of the already well-known XPG Lancer memory series. The tested version is rated at 7200MT/s, so it’s a new high-frequency memory and not only a cosmetic change. The new ADATA memory series promises excellent performance and high compatibility with a fresh aesthetic touch, bringing Mera – the XPG’s brand ambassador. How it looks in reality, you can find out in our review.

Specifications and Features

All the product features come from ADATA, and you can also find them on the product website.

Key Features

• RGB Your Way
  Set the RGB lighting the way you want it. Choose from different effects (static, breathing, and comet), or sync the lights with your favorite jams via Music Mode. All this can be done through RGB control software from all the major motherboard brands.
• Create a Personalized Lightshow with XPG Prime
  XPG Prime lighting control software not only allows you to set unique DRAM lighting effects, but you can also sync all Prime-supported XPG RGB products to create imaginative light shows and shape your own Prime ecosystem.
• Enhanced Power Management
  The LANCER RGB MERA Edition features a built-in Power Management IC (PMIC) that enhances power supply stability. Its lower operating voltage also makes LANCER more power-efficient than DDR4.
• Stability and Reliability
  With an On-die error correcting code (ECC), this DDR5 memory module can correct errors in real-time to provide increased stability and reliability.
• Works with the Latest AMD Platforms
  XPG memory has been tested and verified to work with the latest AMD platforms for hassle-free compatibility and excellent overclocking performance.
• Overclocking Made Easy
  With support for Intel XMP 3.0, get overclocking easily without the need to hassle with BIOS settings. There is no need to adjust and fine-tune overclocking parameters repeatedly.

Specifications

The tested memory kit contains two memory modules, 16GB each. The total of 32GB is more than enough for gaming, and only in particular titles can more be required. However, a higher capacity is usually needed for more professional work like rendering, graphic or video editing, and more. Even highly demanding gamers will be OK with 32GB.
ADATA advertises its XPG memory as perfect for gamers and overclockers, so no wonder it includes high XMP and EXPO profiles and also unlocked PMIC so that we can set higher voltages than standard. As you can see in the specifications below, the tested memory kit has programmed both EXPO and XMP profiles. While XMP was expected, then EXPO is a bit unusual as AMD doesn’t work with DDR5 modules above 6600MT/s, and the profile is the same as for Intel motherboards, so 7200MT/s. Hopefully, we will be able to use it when AMD improves memory controllers and add higher RAM frequency support.

The XMP profile works perfectly fine on ASUS and MSI motherboards with the Z790 chipset. We had no problems with performance or stability with the ADATA XPG modules.
The tested memory kit has a JEDEC profile at DDR5-4800. It probably won’t be used, but some problematic motherboards may work only at this slow profile.
Below is a screenshot from ASUS Mem TweakIt software presenting the XMP profile and timings that one of our motherboards set. In this case, it’s MSI Z790I Edge, but precisely the same as we can see on ASUS Z790 Apex, which will be used for performance tests.

Worth mentioning is also the used IC. As overclockers expect, Hynix A-die is the only IC used in high-frequency memory kits. This memory IC guarantees high overclocking potential and full compatibility with most motherboards.

Packaging and Product Photos

Packaging

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Package 3

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Package 2

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Package 1

The memory kit arrived in a retail package which is well described. There are “windows” on the back to see the memory modules and their serial numbers.
Inside the package, we will find two well-protected memory modules.
We don’t need much for the installation, and memory installation manuals always have motherboards. I assume that anyone who buys this type of memory already knows how to install it, but of course, there will be users lured by the high memory frequency who are new to PC building.

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Above, you can see the XPG Mera Edition modules. The memory design is based on a well-known XPG Lancer memory series but has a different painting. It’s easy to notice Mera – the XPG brand ambassador, who will be longer with ADATA gaming products. We can also expect her to appear more often on ADATA’s website.
Heatsinks are made of aluminum and, because of their size, cool memory chips well. The whole design should perfectly fit any gaming PC and light the interior with included RGB illumination. Modules have broad RGB compatibility with various motherboard brands. Even less popular brands, like Colorful, have no problem recognizing ADATA memory and managing the lighting from the motherboard’s software.

As I already mentioned, under the large heatsinks are already well-known Hynix A-die memory chips. We also find Richtek PMIC, which is the most popular in high-frequency memory kits. This combo is the best for overclocking and has the widest motherboard compatibility.

Let’s move to performance tests.

Test Results

Stability at Rated Speed

The XMP profile was tested in AIDA64 System Stability Test and passed without problems.

The memory kit passed more extended stability tests at XMP settings on ASUS Z790 APEX and MSI Z790I Edge motherboards. There were no problems during various tests, while the main difference makes further overclocking, for which I highly recommend ASUS Maximus Z790 Apex.

Before we start with the comparison tests, here are a couple of test rig photos that present the test environment in which the ADATA XPG Mera Edition memory kit was tested. There were no other fans, and the memory kit was fully stable during all tests.

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Test Rig 1

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Test Rig 2

ADATA XPG Lancer Mera 32GB DDR5-7200 – Test Rig 3

Test Rig 4

Comparison Tests

Tests were performed on popular synthetic benchmarks and benchmarks included in popular games. The list consists of tests that react well to memory performance. Older popular benchmarks and tests based on pure CPU performance were skipped as we wouldn’t see any difference.

For readers’ convenience, I added the overclocking result for comparison so you see if it’s worth the overclocking.

Benchmarks list includes:

• AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark
• PCMark 10 – default benchmark
• 3DMark: Time Spy, Time Spy Extreme, and Fire Strike Extreme
• Superposition Benchmark – 8K Optimized
• Final Fantasy XV Benchmark – 4K High Details
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider – 1080p, high details, default benchmark
• Far Cry 6 – 1440p, high details, default benchmark
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 1440p, high details, default benchmark 

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark

AIDA64 Memory and Cache Benchmark is probably the most popular software to measure RAM bandwidth and latency. Results are scaling great with memory frequency, and as you can see, we could reach 119GB/s and about 55ns latency at the XMP profile. Overclocked modules reached about 130GB/s and around 50ns latency. The overclocking result is similar to the previously reviewed Patriot Viper Xtreme 5 memory at its overclocking settings, even though Patriot is rated at 8000MT/s out of the box.

PCMark 10

PCMark 10 is not reacting well to memory settings, as many more components affect the total score. We can still see that the higher frequency RAM provides better results.

3DMark – Time Spy

3DMark series benchmarks show results between DDR5-7000 and DDR5-8000, so precisely where they should be. We won’t see a noticeable performance gain at anything above the XMP profile, so we can say that the programmed settings are optimal for most gamers, who can save some money and pick a cheaper motherboard.

3DMark – Time Spy Extreme

A similar performance scaling is visible in the Time Spy Extreme benchmark. The difference between all the settings at 7000MT/s and higher is barely visible.

Unigine Superposition

The same in the Superposition benchmark; the results at the XMP profile and overclocked settings are not much different.

Final Fantasy XV Benchmark

Final Fantasy XV benchmark reacts similarly, with slightly better results than DDR5-6800. We can still gain a couple of FPS by picking a fast memory kit.

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Because of faster RAM, we can see a clear improvement in popular games at a lower display resolution. As in previous reviews, we can see even 20FPS gain going from DDR5-6000 to DDR5-7200. If we are into very high FPS, then the XPG Lancer Mera seems like a perfect option.

Far Cry 6

In more demanding games or games at a higher display resolution, the performance gain from fast RAM is not so visible but still notable. In our tests, ADATA XPG Lancer could achieve only 3FPS more when overclocked at DDR5-8400.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Test results in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1440p and high display details suggest that DDR5-7200 is about the upper-frequency worth also considering because of the RAM prices. Even though prices are much lower than a year ago, anything above 7200MT/s already costs much more, giving us barely a better game experience. We can see 3-4 FPS higher, but at already over 100 FPS, we wouldn’t see that while playing games. It still can be worth it in highly competitive online games, especially when investing in a PC once every 5-6 years.

Overclocking

Temperatures and Voltages

As long as the temperatures at 1.40V aren’t the lowest we’ve seen, then after overclocking at 1.50V, they’re not so much higher. The memory kit also kept stability at 1.55V in extended tests. Even though the temperatures had already passed 70°C, everything was working perfectly. The test rig is similar to any high-end PC with slowly spinning fans. There are no fans directly blowing on the RAM during tests.

If we won’t overclock the memory kit, and use the XMP profiles, then we can count on around 58°C during gaming or more demanding but still mixed load work.

I’m not recommending anything above 1.45V for daily overclocking, including games, as the performance gain at tighter timings or higher frequency won’t be apparent. Too high temperatures or voltages may cause random errors, even though memory may pass popular stability tests.

DDR5-8400 CL36-48-48-48 1.52V

On our test platform, we could reach the DDR5-8400 and the primary timings of CL36-48-48-48. It’s slightly better than some other Hynix A-die memory kits we had a chance to test before. It’s also the same as the recently tested Patriot Viper Xtreme 5 DDR5-8000 memory kit. Also, our performance tests show similar results. So the advantage of the ADATA memory kit is a lower price as we don’t have to spend money on a DDR5-8000 memory kit to have about the same performance in daily work or games.

The required voltage for the DDR5-8400 was 1.50V VDD/VDDQ. Depending on the timings, we can lower it some more, but then we have to raise the CL. CL36 required 1.52-1.53V, while CL38 flat 1.50V. The screenshot with mentioned DDR5-8400 setting is below. It’s not including additional fine-tuning, so if we spend more time, we can easily pass 132GB/s bandwidth and go below 50ns latency.

Even though we could reach the DDR5-8400, most motherboards on the market won’t be able to do that. The recommended setting would be around 7200MT/s, so the XMP profile of our ADATA Lancer Mera memory kit. Popular mid-shelf ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI Z790 motherboards should support DDR5-7600, but most cheaper models won’t pass DDR5-7200. A bit worse look at ASRock motherboards or other brands like Biostar, which typically can’t make much more than 6800-7000MT/s. We still don’t need a top and highly overpriced motherboard to enjoy fast RAM.

If you are into overclocking, the ADATA Lancer Mera DDR5-7200 memory will give you a lot of fun. Due to the used IC, it runs excellently at lower or higher frequencies and a wide range of timings. It should also work great on AMD, but we will be forced to use manual settings as the programmed XMP/EXPO profiles are only at 7200MT/s. The 7200MT/s EXPO profile is still a mystery, but I hope we will find out how it works soon, as there are expected processors with more robust memory controllers from AMD.

If you are into overclocking, share your results on our forums.

Conclusion

One more ADATA memory kit and one more pleasing experience. The XPG Lancer Mera performs well and is stable at XMP settings. It also offers high overclocking potential and a unique design. Even if we can’t get the limited Mera edition, the XPG Lancer memory is widely available, and the difference will be only in the aesthetics. It’s still a good feeling to have a limited-edition product. The Mera edition won’t be available for long, but you can find it in some selected stores if you are lucky. I couldn’t find the Mera edition in any popular store, but Amazon sells the regular XPG Lancer 32GB DDR5-7200 memory kit for about $199. It’s less than some other brands ask for their 7200MT/s memory kits. It’s also significantly less than the 7800-8000MT/s memory kits cost, and we already know that the ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5-7200 can easily overclock to 8000MT/s and above. Of course, it’s not guaranteed, but fast memory kits are usually picked by enthusiasts and overclockers, who count on even better results.

There were no problems with the compatibility or stability of the tested memory kit. The ADATA XPG memory kit should work perfectly fine on most Z790 motherboards, but we recommend checking the QVL before the purchase, so we are sure that the memory kit will be compatible. The performance of our memory kit was very high on ASUS and MSI motherboards. Besides the high performance, we can’t forget about the RGB illumination, which works well on most motherboard brands, even those less popular. The XPG Lancer Mera is a complete package of outstanding performance and unique design. I’m sure it will satisfy everyone who decides to buy it.

The ADATA XPG Lancer Mera Edition 32GB DDR5-7200 memory kit is highly recommended and clearly deserves our Approved Stamp!

Click the stamp for an explanation of what this means.

Bartosz Waluk – Woomack

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