1GB Stick of Ram died

[napes22]

After a recent blackout, my computer wouldn't start, and after looking out the mobo codes (mine has an LED readout) i determined one stick of ram went bad. My existing RAM that went is Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - 4-4-4-12 timings. RAM Link

I want to replace it, but don't really want to go through the pain in the butt that is the RMA process at Corsair. I haven't been able to find my RAM in 1GB packages, only 2x1GB and 2x512MB. I've read it's better to have pairs of RAM also, ie: better to have 2x1GB + 2x512MB than 3x1GB.

Will I notice any difference with the 3x1GB? My other option is to just look for a more stable ram, as this version of Corsair has gotten many reviews of it suddenly dying.

 

[Fayd]

just do the rma.

 

[napes22]

Anyone who has gone through their RMA process before, is there any way to RMA through Corsair without sending back both sticks of ram? I'd prefer not to be computerless for the time it takes them to complete the RMA.

Thanks

 

[SerpentRoyal]

That's another reason why I no longer purchase Corsair RAMs. Kingston has a superb RMA department. If the initial Kingston logo is visible, then you can return the stick for a replacement. No need for receipt.

You may want to contact management at Corsair for authorization to cross-ship the replacement RAMs.

I think the RAM was already marginal and the power problem pushed it over the edge. If there is a problem with the voltage output @ the PSU, then you would probably have four dead sticks instead of one.

 

[napes22]

So you are basically saying that this was Corsair's fault, not my computer? I also have a Corsair Power Supply.

The RAM on Newegg has tons of DOA reviews, and apparently mine fits that build. I'll see what I can do with the RMA, but if they refuse, I might just say forget it and buy two gigs of Kingston or Crucial (since RAM prices are so low right now)

 

[Yellowbeard]

Napes, check your PM box. I'll assist you directly with your RMA. And no, your Corsair PSU did not kill your memory. Please keep in mind that there are people on the boards with ties to other manufacturers that will try to exacerbate your problem while not really assisting you. Please remember, if you need help with a Corsair issue, come to the source for assistance. We value you as our customer.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

A defective module can slip past QC. If quality RAM is rated at 1.8V DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-18-2T timing, then it should also run at 1.8V 400MHz at 4-4-4-12-2T. You should also be able to overclock the RAM by 10% with 2.0V (440MHz/5-5-5-18-2T).

Good RAMs have built-in safety margin to compensate for normal wear and the various tolerances found in a MB.

Keep in mind that high-quality 1.8V DDR2 800 are still selling for $70 to $80 (1GB x 2 kit). These N5 modules can also keep up with DDR2 1066 RAMs. Got mine up to about 580 to 600MHz with 2.1Vdimm/5-5-5-15-2T timing. The quality is in the ICs, not colorful heat spreaders. Note the 90% positive rating from NoobEgg customers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134117

http://forum.abit-usa.com/show...hp?p=876340#post876340

 

[The-Noid]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
A defective module can slip past QC. If quality RAM is rated at 1.8V DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-18-2T timing, then it should also run at 1.8V 400MHz at 4-4-4-12-2T. You should also be able to overclock the RAM by 10% with 2.0V (440MHz/5-5-5-18-2T).

Good RAMs have built-in safety margin to compensate for normal wear and the various tolerances found in a MB.

Keep in mind that high-quality 1.8V DDR2 800 are still selling for $70 to $80 (1GB x 2 kit). These N5 modules can also keep up with DDR2 1066 RAMs. Got mine up to about 580 to 600MHz with 2.1Vdimm/5-5-5-15-2T timing. The quality is in the ICs, not colorful heat spreaders. Note the 90% positive rating from NoobEgg customers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134117

http://forum.abit-usa.com/show...hp?p=876340#post876340

This is the least logical post I have read in many years.

A.) We are talking about how to get his ram RMAed, what does this have to do with your Kingston value ram.
B.) N5 == D9GKX that is what Kingston uses they are a big enough purchaser they get their IC's relabled.
C.) Why in the world would you possibly think that ram voltage at 1.8v has anything to do with how it will clock with 2.1v+?

I know you are trying to help, but this post simply does not. Leave your hatred for Corsair to other threads. Try to help this guy get his ram RMAed here.

P.S. SerpentRoyal, nice trolling job there. You are starting to sound almost as repetitious here as you do at the ABIT forums.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Napes, check your PM box. I'll assist you directly with your RMA. And no, your Corsair PSU did not kill your memory. Please keep in mind that there are people on the boards with ties to other manufacturers that will try to exacerbate your problem while not really assisting you. Please remember, if you need help with a Corsair issue, come to the source for assistance. We value you as our customer.

I call them like I see them.

1. Why can't Corsair send the OP one replacement module? The OP can contact the Kingston 800 number to check out their official RMA policy!

2. Those Corsair modules have higher failure rate than the Kingston N5 DDR2 800. Again, look at the large number of reviews at NewEgg. Not a very scientific test, but still a good glimpse at the true reliability between those two modules.

3. You continue to harp on the idea that I work for Crucial or Kingston. Let's show some proof cause BS talk is mighty cheap.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
A defective module can slip past QC. If quality RAM is rated at 1.8V DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-18-2T timing, then it should also run at 1.8V 400MHz at 4-4-4-12-2T. You should also be able to overclock the RAM by 10% with 2.0V (440MHz/5-5-5-18-2T).

Good RAMs have built-in safety margin to compensate for normal wear and the various tolerances found in a MB.

Keep in mind that high-quality 1.8V DDR2 800 are still selling for $70 to $80 (1GB x 2 kit). These N5 modules can also keep up with DDR2 1066 RAMs. Got mine up to about 580 to 600MHz with 2.1Vdimm/5-5-5-15-2T timing. The quality is in the ICs, not colorful heat spreaders. Note the 90% positive rating from NoobEgg customers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134117

http://forum.abit-usa.com/show...hp?p=876340#post876340

This is the least logical post I have read in many years.

A.) We are talking about how to get his ram RMAed, what does this have to do with your Kingston value ram.
B.) N5 == D9GKX that is what Kingston uses they are a big enough purchaser they get their IC's relabled.
C.) Why in the world would you possibly think that ram voltage at 1.8v has anything to do with how it will clock with 2.1v+?

I know you are trying to help, but this post simply does not. Leave your hatred for Corsair to other threads. Try to help this guy get his ram RMAed here.

P.S. SerpentRoyal, nice trolling job there. You are starting to sound almost as repetitious here as you do at the ABIT forums.

The OP wanted to replace his Corsair with Kingston or Crucial. Do you have reading comprehension?

If the remaining three modules are marginal, then they will not overclock well. What's wrong with a quick check to see how well they can overclock?

 

[The-Noid]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Yoxxy

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
A defective module can slip past QC. If quality RAM is rated at 1.8V DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-18-2T timing, then it should also run at 1.8V 400MHz at 4-4-4-12-2T. You should also be able to overclock the RAM by 10% with 2.0V (440MHz/5-5-5-18-2T).

Good RAMs have built-in safety margin to compensate for normal wear and the various tolerances found in a MB.

Keep in mind that high-quality 1.8V DDR2 800 are still selling for $70 to $80 (1GB x 2 kit). These N5 modules can also keep up with DDR2 1066 RAMs. Got mine up to about 580 to 600MHz with 2.1Vdimm/5-5-5-15-2T timing. The quality is in the ICs, not colorful heat spreaders. Note the 90% positive rating from NoobEgg customers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134117

http://forum.abit-usa.com/show...hp?p=876340#post876340

This is the least logical post I have read in many years.

A.) We are talking about how to get his ram RMAed, what does this have to do with your Kingston value ram.
B.) N5 == D9GKX that is what Kingston uses they are a big enough purchaser they get their IC's relabled.
C.) Why in the world would you possibly think that ram voltage at 1.8v has anything to do with how it will clock with 2.1v+?

I know you are trying to help, but this post simply does not. Leave your hatred for Corsair to other threads. Try to help this guy get his ram RMAed here.

P.S. SerpentRoyal, nice trolling job there. You are starting to sound almost as repetitious here as you do at the ABIT forums.

The OP wanted to replace his Corsair with Kingston or Crucial. Do you have reading comprehension?

If the remaining three modules are marginal, then they will not overclock well. What's wrong with a quick check to see how well they can overclock?

A.) There are 61 reviews of that Kingston set. To say it is a better because it has some positive compared to 817 for the Corsair is a bit of false logic. With 1 negative review of the Kingston it would slip to 3 or 4 eggy's. The NE review system is terrible.
B.) N5 again is relabeled Micron D9GKX. I guess like you have said in other threads, you really do think Kingston makes IC's.
C.) The original poster never mentions overclocking. If you were going to overclock you would use 2.1v. That is what the warranty is. Otherwise wouldn't he have purchased valueram?
D.) If he uses 2 sticks from one manufacturer and 2 from another he may not get dual channel support because of different SPDs, let's give full disclosure.
E.) IC's are the same in almost all 1066+ kits and 800 kits. You are paying for the warranty. You have said you can RMA just one stick with Kingston. This is 100% incorrect. I have had to RMA 2 sets of Kingston ram. One DDR3-1375 and the other PC2-9600. In each case I needed to send in both sticks, it also took them 1.5 months to send my PC2-9600 sticks back. There are horror stories for all manufacturers.

Instead of creating a smear campaign against Corsair, in every thread you post in, why not leave AT and the ABIT forums clean?

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Napes, check your PM box. I'll assist you directly with your RMA. And no, your Corsair PSU did not kill your memory. Please keep in mind that there are people on the boards with ties to other manufacturers that will try to exacerbate your problem while not really assisting you. Please remember, if you need help with a Corsair issue, come to the source for assistance. We value you as our customer.

I call them like I see them.

1. Why can't Corsair send the OP one replacement module? The OP can contact the Kingston 800 number to check out their official RMA policy!

2. Those Corsair modules have higher failure rate than the Kingston N5 DDR2 800. Again, look at the large number of reviews at NewEgg. Not a very scientific test, but still a good glimpse at the true reliability between those two modules.

3. You continue to harp on the idea that I work for Crucial or Kingston. Let's show some proof cause BS talk is mighty cheap.

Serpent, I did NOT state any names in that post above. But, since you volunteered I guess the shoe fits. I don't really care who you work for but the fact that you are here harassing AT members who are also Corsair customers makes you a troll, pure n simple.

As I told you before, it's rude, unprofessional, and unnecessary. The OP, Napes is here for help from Corsair, not you.

We can in fact send the user 1 module. However, we prefer to send him 2 new matched and tested DIMMs to make certain he is 100% working after the RMA. But, that is for Mr. Napes to work out with us and he does not need help from a troll to do it.

You have absolutely no way to know what our failure rate is. If you are attempting to use the Newegg reviews as proof of anything, you are delusional. Our memory in this thread has 807 reviews and the Kingston you are pimping has 61. So, don't even try to compare using numbers you cannot know the validity of. The Newegg review system is infested with pimps, shills, troll, and bored people playing on the internet.

You are rapidly losing credibility here and other places. Watch it or you will have to start a new trolling identity so people won't recongize you for the parasite that you are.

 

[napes22]

Oye, this thread is getting out of hand. I'll be dealing with Yellowbeard directly from now on. Thanks for everyone's help, well at least the constructive help.

-Napes

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: napes22
Will I notice any difference with the 3x1GB? My other option is to just look for a more stable ram, as this version of Corsair has gotten many reviews of it suddenly dying.

I don't think that Foxconn MOBO will like 3 DIMMs at all. It may be unstable or possibly not even boot. Most 590 boards don't like 3 DIMM combos at all and run best with 1,2, or 4. As I said in the PM to you, I'll do my absolute best to make this RMA as painless as possible for you, regardless of what memory you buy in the future. Thank you for your business and understanding.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Napes, check your PM box. I'll assist you directly with your RMA. And no, your Corsair PSU did not kill your memory. Please keep in mind that there are people on the boards with ties to other manufacturers that will try to exacerbate your problem while not really assisting you. Please remember, if you need help with a Corsair issue, come to the source for assistance. We value you as our customer.

I call them like I see them.

1. Why can't Corsair send the OP one replacement module? The OP can contact the Kingston 800 number to check out their official RMA policy!

2. Those Corsair modules have higher failure rate than the Kingston N5 DDR2 800. Again, look at the large number of reviews at NewEgg. Not a very scientific test, but still a good glimpse at the true reliability between those two modules.

3. You continue to harp on the idea that I work for Crucial or Kingston. Let's show some proof cause BS talk is mighty cheap.

Serpent, I did NOT state any names in that post above. But, since you volunteered I guess the shoe fits. I don't really care who you work for but the fact that you are here harassing AT members who are also Corsair customers makes you a troll, pure n simple.

As I told you before, it's rude, unprofessional, and unnecessary. The OP, Napes is here for help from Corsair, not you.

We can in fact send the user 1 module. However, we prefer to send him 2 new matched and tested DIMMs to make certain he is 100% working after the RMA. But, that is for Mr. Napes to work out with us and he does not need help from a troll to do it.

You have absolutely no way to know what our failure rate is. If you are attempting to use the Newegg reviews as proof of anything, you are delusional. Our memory in this thread has 807 reviews and the Kingston you are pimping has 61. So, don't even try to compare using numbers you cannot know the validity of. The Newegg review system is infested with pimps, shills, troll, and bored people playing on the internet.

You are rapidly losing credibility here and other places. Watch it or you will have to start a new trolling identity so people won't recongize you for the parasite that you are.

Hmmm...do you know statistic 101? Go to the library to get smart, then come back and I'll teach you how to process raw data.

If my info is worthless, then why waste time responding?

Wanna talk about credibility? What's this BS about sending a matched pair? Buying a matched pair is another BS marketing tactic used by vedors to glorify their RAMs or to make it more difficult to RMA a defective component. If the specs are properly defined, then RAMs from one batch better work reliably with RAMs from another batch.

The only time that one should worry about RAM matching is if there exist a very large change between two batches of RAM. Again, it all boils down to good or marginal acceptance criteria.

 

[Yellowbeard]

If my info is worthless, then why waste time responding?

I am not wasting time. In case you had not noticed I am here assisting a valued Corsair customer. I'm not sure why you are still here or spouted off to begin with. But, you got 1 part right at least in relation to this thread. Your info is worthless.

You have already pointed out your own deficiencies in reading comprehension at another forum so it's understandable that you are confused. So, just to clarify it for you yet again, this is a thread started by a Corsair customer that has stated that he wants to deal directly with Corsair. Please show us the courtesy of not trying to exploit our customer service threads for your own edification.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Wanna talk about credibility? What's this BS about sending a matched pair? Buying a matched pair is another BS marketing tactic used by vedors to glorify their RAMs or to make it more difficult to RMA a defective component. If the specs are properly defined, then RAMs from one batch better work reliably with RAMs from another batch.

The only time that one should worry about RAM matching is if there exist a very large change between two batches of RAM. Again, it all boils down to good or marginal acceptance criteria.

If you will reread the first post and then your reply about testing the remaining 3 DIMMs you will realize that you are TOTALLY confused. The OP here has only a single pair (aka 2) of Corsair modules. Again, you are so focused on bashing Corsair here and using the OPs situation to promote your own agenda, you can't even troll the thread correctly. You really should read more carefully.

As far as matched pairs, we have several different revisions of the PC6400 variety the OP has. So, we intend to make certain that he gets a matched pair of the same revision. Again, this does not concern you but you are persistent for some reason.

If you won't be considerate of Corsair I would appreciate it if you would respect this fellow AT member that I am assisting and respect the AT rules regardig posting here.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Revision should not affect the compatibility between modules unless there is a dramatic change in acceptance criteria. Let's take a look at an E4400 with L2 stepping vs one with MO stepping. Sure, there are subtle changes in design and performance, but both chips should work with all P35 boards! Again, Intel has good control of their specs and manufacturing processes. Perhaps Corsair is vastly inferior, requiring "custom matching"?

I'm not aware of the need to custom match RAMs at Crucial or Kingston. Perhaps you can educate me about this.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Revision should not affect the compatibility between modules unless there is a dramatic change in acceptance criteria. Let's take a look at an E4400 with L2 stepping vs one with MO stepping. Sure, there are subtle changes in design and performance, but both chips should work with all P35 boards! Again, Intel has good control of their specs and manufacturing processes. Perhaps Corsair is vastly inferior, requiring "custom matching"?

I'm not aware of the need to custom match RAMs at Crucial or Kingston. Perhaps you can educate me about this.

Again you are a clueless troll. Troll reported to moderators 2103 hrs, EST.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2070583&enterthread=y

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We ask for respect and common decency towards your fellow forum members. This includes adhering to the following guidelines which will be enforced via a combination of member request and moderator discretion.

1) No trolling, flaming or personally attacking members. Deftly attacking ideas and backing up arguments with facts is acceptable and encouraged. Attacking other members personally and purposefully causing trouble with no motive other than to upset the crowd is not allowed.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Want more proofs? Quality RAMs should come with a second set of code (somewhere on the module) in addition to the standard mfr part number. With this set of code and the stamping on the ICs, the manufacturer will be able to identify the chip, motherboard, SPD, date/location of manufacture, and other relevant technical data about that particular module. Armed with these data, tech support should be able to identify any possible compatibility issue with the replacement module without having physical possesion of the defective module. Again, I invite all doubters to call the Kingston toll free technical support hot line to comfirm my claims!

Yep, it's not that easy to blow smoke up my tail pipe.

 

[ryderOCZ]

I have been following this thread a little bit....

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Want more proofs? Quality RAMs should come with a second set of code (somewhere on the module) in addition to the standard mfr part number. With this set of code and the stamping on the ICs, the manufacturer will be able to identify the chip, motherboard, SPD, date/location of manufacture, and other relevant technical data about that particular module. Armed with these data, tech support should be able to identify any possible compatibility issue with the replacement module without having physical possesion of the defective module. Again, I invite all doubters to call the Kingston toll free technical support hot line to comfirm my claims!

Yep, it's not that easy to blow smoke up my tail pipe.

You can tell what motherboard the customer is using from the ram IC's? Wow, you are good

 

[SerpentRoyal]

The RAM's board, not system board. I take it that even the great OCZ RAMs are soldered to a motherboard with caps, resistors, SPD IC, etc?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
The RAM's board, not system board. I take it that even the great OCZ RAMs are soldered to a motherboard with caps, resistors, SPD IC, etc?

No, RAM IC's, along with the capacitors, resistors, etc. are mounted to a PCB, not a motherboard. If you happened to know much at all about computers, you'd at least know that, I'm afraid.

 

[AmberClad]

Coincidentally or not, SerpentRoyal lives just a little bit north of Kingston's Orange County headquarters. Of course, I'm not going to draw any concrete conclusions as far as his employer status from that alone. After all, we have members here who are confirmed shareholders in certain tech companies, and he may simply own a bit of stock in his local company, which is quite understandable. Or he may merely be a fan of a particular company -- we have plenty of those people as well.

But regardless of what his personal stake in this is, the fact that he would blast Corsair and OCZ while at the same time universally praising other companies strikes me as a little odd. Especially since we've had members here that have experienced issues with the same RAM brands he's supporting.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Thank you other members for speaking up. I actually did report him to the moderators although I have had no response. I simply wish he would stop harassing our customers and the AT members here that want no part of his ignorance and have stated such. This has happened over multiple threads here at AT and at another forum. I'll be addressing this person and his behavior at the other forum also where he has clearly stated that he has a reading comprehension problem. Perhaps a carrier pigeon or CandyGram is in order.

For now, I think I am going to pull out all my Corsair motherboards, read the SPDs under the light of the moon, and see if I can determine what MOBOs you guys were using when you typed your replies.

EDIT: Be wary of this one guys. He's obviously not going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe trick.