"Dual"/paired memory

[Chasim]

I just received an order from NewEgg - I've been a satisfied customer for a long time. I had previously purchased Mushkin PC3500 Level One Dual Pack (512x2) (991091). I decided to get another gig of memory so I ordered the exact same thing. What I received today was a box with stickers on top of it that say Dual, Level One, PC3500 (991091). The problem is the actual sticks are marked PC3500, Level One (991087). If you check the site it's clear what NewEgg has done. They've taken the Level One individual sticks and put them in a box that's marked Dual.

Forgetting for a minute that this is fraud... should I care? I mean the individual sticks have the same timings, etc. as my existing dual sticks. I've already written NewEgg a nasty Email, but should I bother returning the order - I guess I'm asking is there really any difference between the same individual sticks running in dual channel vs. dual sticks in dual channel?

Thanks.

 

[Matthias99]

There's no such thing as "dual channel RAM sticks". They're just two regular RAM sticks that were tested together to make sure they meet the same timing specs. The only difference is whether the memory company did it or if Newegg just threw two random DIMMs in a box together (or if Mushkin changed their packaging and you're yelling at Newegg for no good reason at all).

 

[Chasim]

Mushkin didn't just change the box... and as I said, the memory sticks themselves are marked with a different item number than is advertised by NewEgg (and than the sticker affixed to the box). What I received was two sticks of the "individual" RAM (which btw would cost less if purchased individually). I guess that leaves me with no clue as to whether these sticks were tested together or not, although they should have the same memory timings as my existing "dual" sticks (and as each other).

 

[PingSpike]

I'm not even sure why anyone buys those dual channel kits to begin with myself.

 

[jt63]

It's also possible that the 91 number is the sku for the dual channel kit.

 

[cheesehead]

A dual channel kit has two identical RAM cards. There is no such thing as dual channel RAM. Mushkin or Newegg just makes sure that the timings and chips are matched, and charges a premium.