A little help with memory (dual DDR PC3500?)

[Robor]

I ordered a pair of Geil 512MB PC3500 (Ultra CL=2-6-3-3) sticks from OCSystems. Yeah, I know. I didn't check ResellerRatings.com first. Anyway... The RAM arrived today and the case says PC3500 but the label on both RAM sticks says PC3200. There is a "Tin Coated Platinum Copper Heat Spreader" on both sides of the stick so I can't see what speed the RAM chips are.

I sent them an Email and they called me back asking me to describe the RAM. I told them what it looked like and explained the labels and they came to the conclusion that the RAM was really PC3500 and mislabeled as PC3200. They said they don't sell PC3200 sticks with the platinum heat spreader but looking at their site it appears they do (link).

My question is, how can I determine I didn't get PC3200 sticks sold as PC3500? Will memtest86 tell me the RAM speed rating or is there another program that will? Thanks!

 

[chizow]

Run the sticks at the rated speed and timings they list for PC3500 (even if you have to run asynch, ie. 150% of FSB etc.). If your BIOS allows you, set RAM speed to SPD (serial presence detect); if it boots at 217MHz for RAM frequency and the timings are what is advertised at the advertised settings, test it to see if its stable. If it fails, send it back. If they fight you on it, contact your CC and file a dispute/hold payment. Trash their resellerratings and e-mail everyone on their contacts list. The only other way is to pull off the heatspreaders and check the rated ns of the chips, but this would certainly void any warranty you have and probably destroy any grounds for return. PC3500 should have chips rated at 4.6ns.

Most importantly, take it as a lesson learned to always check resellerratings.

Chiz

 

[Robor]

Chiz: Thanks for the reply... I'm not going to be able to do this with a P4-1.6a in an Asus P4PE am I? Actually, that's a stupid question - at 200 FSB I'd be running my 1.6a @ 3200 and at 217 it would be 3472! :Q I know this RAM is totally overkill for that setup. The reason I got it is I wanted to go to 1GB of RAM and I'm planning on getting a Springdale or Canterwood once they release so I figured I get the RAM now and use it 'till I get the new MB/CPU combo.

Since I can't test it do you think I should just play it safe and return it?

 

[chizow]

Hmm, I'm not 100% up to speed on Intel boards nowadays, but don't you have an option to run your RAM asynchronously? For instance, running your RAM at 150% with a 133MHz FSB = 200MHz RAM frequency? So maybe 133MHz x 165% = ~217MHz.

Otherwise yah, I would play it safe and return it IF they allow you to without any type of restocking. If they don't and you can't test it, I'd go through the steps I suggested in my earlier post.

Chiz

Edit: Oh yah, and then when you need it get it from a more reputable e-tailer like Newegg, Googlegear, Monarch etc. I can't imagine OCSystems price to be significantly cheaper than Googlegear, whatever difference in price is easily made up in peace of mind IMO.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: chizow
Hmm, I'm not 100% up to speed on Intel boards nowadays, but don't you have an option to run your RAM asynchronously? For instance, running your RAM at 150% with a 133MHz FSB = 200MHz RAM frequency? So maybe 133MHz x 165% = ~217MHz.

I'll see if there's an option to do that or not with my motherboard. I will not have my P4PE board until tomorrow afternoon.

As far as them as a vendor - they were one of the few (only?) vendors that had the Geil 512MB PC3500 Ultra anywhere near that price. I'm usually the guy whos always tells people "you get what you pay for" but I didn't take my own advice this time.

My favorite vendors are Googlegear, NewEgg, and MWave btw. None of them carry those sticks.

 

[Ketchup]

In the BIOS you do have the option to run the memory at 3:4(I think it is labeled DDR 266 on the Asus). You are correct that you are going to get it nowhere near its rated speed, so try to get it running as fast as you can and see what happens.

 

[Insidious]

Doesn't SiSoft Sandra read the SPD (serial presence detect)?

that should give you the answer you need.

get it here

I'm not positive this will report the SPD, but I think so... even if not, it is a fun benchie

-Sid

 

[RaySun2Be]

You might also try Aida32, I believe it has the SPD function, as well as memory benchmarks with a ranking of your PC versus others.

 

[bfonnes]

Originally posted by: chizow
Hmm, I'm not 100% up to speed on Intel boards nowadays, but don't you have an option to run your RAM asynchronously? For instance, running your RAM at 150% with a 133MHz FSB = 200MHz RAM frequency? So maybe 133MHz x 165% = ~217MHz.

Otherwise yah, I would play it safe and return it IF they allow you to without any type of restocking. If they don't and you can't test it, I'd go through the steps I suggested in my earlier post.

Chiz

Edit: Oh yah, and then when you need it get it from a more reputable e-tailer like Newegg, Googlegear, Monarch etc. I can't imagine OCSystems price to be significantly cheaper than Googlegear, whatever difference in price is easily made up in peace of mind IMO.

My HTPC XP2100+ Over-'d to 2380MHz and other Rigs

I don't know, man, I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian. - Mike Tyson

Edited: 04/07/2003 at 1:28 PM by chizow

Sorry to thread crap, but you guys are great. Sometimes, I save a thread that has all the great quotes you guys have in your sigs.

Bfonnes

 

[Robor]

Sorry been busy and haven't had a chance to try out the suggestions. Thanks guys!

I will let you know the results.