Did I get ripped off?

[Elfear]

I downloaded CPU-Z the other day and it says that my ram is Nanya PC3200. I bought my ram from an online company under the impression that it was dual channel Micron PC4200. Did I get ripped off or does that sound right? One of the reasons I ask is that I'm having trouble ocing my rig and I want to eliminate the ram as a possibilty.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Yes. Micron doesn't make non-official standard ram, there is no Micron PC4200.

 

[ectx]

My Buffalo bh5 pc3200 that can oc pretty well shows up as Melco pc2700. So I would not worry too much.

However, if it does not run at advertized spec, I'd be concerned and call the support.

You may want to give us a little more information on the memory stick, including where you get it?

 

[Elfear]

I got it from here http://www.buyaib.com/1gb5x2mekitp.html. I guess the link doesn't work. You'll have to paste it into your browser. It's the column on the left.

 

[nick1985]

you just got owned

 

[dheffer]

yeah sounds like overclocked ram - that is one shady online store

 

[DusterAZ]

You should have checked them out first ... all I can say is OUCH.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2870.html

First customer review on the page:

6/7/04 7:58 PM
Bought PC2700 512 MajorBrand (3 Sticks) Did Not Order head spreaders! Received PC2100 Generic Brand W/heat Spreaders. One had the small trasisters missing, Broken Off!
Tried To call - Got the run around, Tried to reason with them about the wrong RAM; They hung-up!
I'm Soo Pissed - About to Drive My Car from KS to CA for alittle showing of Respect!

DO yourself a Favor if you buy from these Scam Artists, Wipe your A$$ with your money and then send it to them.. OtherWise - DONT BUY FROM AIB!
They Also write comments - Always see the same kinda positive feedback on pricewatch with the A+++ or A+A+A+ crap.. always written in the same mannor - hmm wonder why? Cause they Want to Screw You Over!!!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Lamont! You big dummy! Check the reseller rating next time

EDIT: Duster beat me to it :beer:

 

[Elfear]

Ouch is right! I lmost always look at resellerratings.com before I buy from anyone but I guess I spaced it this time. How can I determine if my ram is the limiting factor? I can raise the FSB to 215 and programs run ok, but when I try to run Prime95 it has errors after 5 minutes.

 

[ectx]

I'd use prime95 small fft tests to see if the cpu is ok.

When I push my memory too far (use lower timing and higher fsb), the small fft test would normally be ok and the blended test/custom large fft test would get errors sooner. The error would disappear after I relax the timing. The thing is: this is based on my observations, Other facts may come into play, so ymmv.

 

[DusterAZ]

I would be surprised if you are even able to run 200 FSB stable after reading the rest of the customer reviews. About every single one is a person that got slower memory than what they ordered. Looks like they stick on heatspreaders to cover up the chips. Look up the info on the chips so you can find out what it really is.

 

[ectx]

Originally posted by: DusterAZ
I would be surprised if you are even able to run 200 FSB stable after reading the rest of the customer reviews. About every single one is a person that got slower memory than what they ordered. Looks like they stick on heatspreaders to cover up the chips. Look up the info on the chips so you can find out what it really is.

Nanya pc3200 should not be that bad as far as I know (nevery used them before, though).

 

[Elfear]

Well, the sticker on the heatspreader says that I will void the warranty if I remove them. If I end up having to send this stuff back I don't want them giving me any trouble. Are the heatspreaders attached with anything more than the clips on the top, like some kind of adhesive?

 

[DusterAZ]

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well, the sticker on the heatspreader says that I will void the warranty if I remove them. If I end up having to send this stuff back I don't want them giving me any trouble. Are the heatspreaders attached with anything more than the clips on the top, like some kind of adhesive?

I think this is part of their scam, it looks like they put the heatspreader on there in order to mask the fact that they are defrauding their customers. I'm pretty sure you are screwed when it comes to a warranty unless this memory was in a box with a manufacturers warranty. It is OEM if it was just a bare memory module and you have to go through the reseller typically to warranty it ... and it sounds like they charge a 20% restocking fee on everything ... even if the item is defective. Most likely the heatspreader is stuck on with an adhesive or tape, should be able to pry it off without much effort.

 

[Elfear]

Well, I got brave and pulled the heatspreaders off and the DDR modules say Elixir N2DS25680BT-5T. Does that mean anything to anyone?

 

[DusterAZ]

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well, I got brave and pulled the heatspreaders off and the DDR modules say Elixir N2DS25680BT-5T. Does that mean anything to anyone?

Well that proves that is for sure not "Micron PC4200". Website for Elixir -> http://www.elixir-memory.com/

Going off this -> http://www.elixir-memory.com/Products/elixir_00NamingRule.htm

It is at least PC3200, but don't expect much beyond 200 Mhz.

Another guy in the same boat as you ... scroll down the thread and he bought it at the exact same place and has the exact same memory that you have.

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=330364

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Look, you were ripped off plain and simple. If you try to return it, you'll get worked over and possibly ripped off some more, so I suggest filing a complaint with the BBB in your area, leaving them a scathing reseller rating, STICKING TO REPUTABLE VENDORS, and moving on with your life

 

[DusterAZ]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Look, you were ripped off plain and simple. If you try to return it, you'll get worked over and possibly ripped off some more, so I suggest filing a complaint with the BBB in your area, leaving them a scathing reseller rating, STICKING TO REPUTABLE VENDORS, and moving on with your life

You can also firebomb their building just for fun

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: DusterAZ

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Look, you were ripped off plain and simple. If you try to return it, you'll get worked over and possibly ripped off some more, so I suggest filing a complaint with the BBB in your area, leaving them a scathing reseller rating, STICKING TO REPUTABLE VENDORS, and moving on with your life

You can also firebomb their building just for fun

You'd probably be doing the scumbags a favor, because they would defraud the insurance company for all those sticks of Micron dual channel 4200DDR and all the other fake hardware specs they peddal, sad really

 

[Elfear]

Well, I'll definetely try to get my money back and if they refuse than it's off to the BBB website. I really hope they pony up the cash because I just spent my last dollars putting this rig together.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well, I'll definetely try to get my money back and if they refuse than it's off to the BBB website. I really hope they pony up the cash because I just spent my last dollars putting this rig together.

Good luck with that, you'll need it. My guess is they will refuse to wave the extortion/restocking fee.

 

[ponyo]

Most of PC4000 and 4200 rams are binned overclocked PC3200. CPU-Z reports my AData PC4000 as PC3200 and my Buffalo PC3700 BH5 as PC2700.

 

[Elfear]

If by some huge miracle they actullay refund my money, what kind of ram would you guys recommend? I can't afford the best but I need something that's decent.

 

[nortexoid]

does the memory peform at the specification those mofos advertised? if it does, then all should be fine and dandy, though it's still misleading on their part.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Elfear
If by some huge miracle they actullay refund my money, what kind of ram would you guys recommend? I can't afford the best but I need something that's decent.

get some mushkin. quality stuff IMO.