Komusa Again! PC4200 Memory is PC3200

[WilburCheeks]

I sure wish I would have visited the AnandTech forums before making my purchase. It seems Komusa has not changed its misleading ways. I Purchased 1GB (512MBX2) PC 4200 533MHz Dual Channel DDR with the "Platinum Grade-Major Brand Name" upgrade from Komusa. What I received were 2 sticks of Infineon HYB25D2568008T-5. When I check the Infineon webpage for the specs (Infineon Memory Specificatons) I find that I was sold PC 3200 DDR 400B 3-3-3 with the fancy heat spreaders that have a nice label that says "Infineon/Micron PC4200 512MB Dual Channel DDR Memory Warranty Void If Removed. I have called in an effort to resolve the problem and was told "I am not quoting word for word as I did not record the conversation and don't have a photographic memory" Any good tech knows that there isn't a system that can run any memory at 533MHz and no one makes memory that fast. Everyone just hand tests their memory for higher speeds and marks it as such. Guess I'm not a good tech, or I realy don't understand. I've never heard that explanation before. If I'm wrong on this please chime in and let me know. He did offer an RMA number but I cant afford to be without a system while they play with my memory and money. I will be purchasing some REAL memory soon and putting this in the kids system. They got me! Don't let them get you! It is worth it to deal with GOOD online retailers like newegg.com or zipzoomfly.com. Pay a few extra bucks... it's well worth it!

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

I bought some PC3500 form them and on the web page it said in nice red writing that it was overclocked memory. I knew what I was getting.

 

[DeRailur]

I emailed them with a link to this post and I was told they would be changing the description to avoid further misunderstandings.

heres their side of the story:
"The customer's expected the memory to be read at PC4200 at the BIOS without
changing any setting. We explained to him but he refused to let us explain
all the tatic to acheive the speed. We will change our description to aviod
further misunderstanding.

Regards,
Komusa Team"

 

[Garster]

I purchased a couple of their Komusa PC4000(DDR500) from them last week and cannot get either one of them over 210 (DDR420) at any timing or voltage. I've tested them in 3 different systems with the same result. I'm waiting on an RMA #, and hoping it was just a mixup or bad memory modules. I've heard good things about them at a few different forums and thought i would give them a try for my memory purchases.

Well after futher investigation of the part # off the edge of the module, these seem to be Brain Power PC3200 CL3 modules. Not sure how they would expect a PC3200 CL3 memory to do PC4000 speeds or hopefully a mix up on their part

 

[WilburCheeks]

Originally posted by: DeRailur
I emailed them with a link to this post and I was told they would be changing the description to avoid further misunderstandings.heres their side of the story:
"The customer's expected the memory to be read at PC4200 at the BIOS without
changing any setting. We explained to him but he refused to let us explain
all the tatic to acheive the speed. We will change our description to aviod
further misunderstanding.
Regards,
Komusa Team"

Funny how I could expect the memory to read PC4200 at the BIOS when I had not even finished the build nor installed the motherboard. What I expected was to get TRUE NON OVERCLOCKED PC4200 memory. Yes I didn't let him explain how to overclock the memory, as I have been an overclocker myself since the 386's were new and building computers since my first 8086. Clearly I was thinkng I was getting a good deal. Turned out the saying is true... too good of a deal. I could have done much better purchasing name brand memory from a REPUTABLE dealer. Simply stated I didn't get what I ordered and was advertised. If the ads weren't misleading then why would they be changing them. Looking at some fun options that I may have now. time moves on...

 

[aka1nas]

I don't think pc4200 actually exists yet as an official spec and anything advertised at that speed is hand picked overclocked parts. They still should have stated that though.

 

[ferrarifreak93]

Originally posted by: aka1nas
I don't think pc4200 actually exists yet as an official spec and anything advertised at that speed is hand picked overclocked parts. They still should have stated that though.

I agree, I thought anything over PC3200 is technically overclocked since their is no "official" PC3500 or up specification.

 

[tapir]

"true non overclocked pc4200" does not exist, it will probably never exist for the DDR-I platform. anything over pc3200 is not JEDEC standard. this is why such memories should only be purchased by first-tier mfrs. such as mushkin or corsair, or at least a well-known brand like Geil where these performance levels can be reached some of the time.

you should really get your money back, buy some mushkin or corsair first and then RMA your memory. even if you do need memory for your kids' system you should get name-brand pc3200 for cheaper.

this is all IMO of course, but unless you're getting a great deal it doesnt really make sense to keep low-quality dimms in your system.

 

[XeoBllaze]

If you find some CL2 PC4200.... that should be up to spec

 

[wicktron]

Most companies' PC3500 and some PC3700's are overclocked components.
Most use Winbond BH-5 & Winbond CH-5 as the basis for their products, the 5 denotes 5ns, which is rated for 200MHz, or DDR400. It's no big deal unless it doesn't run at it's specified speed/timings/voltage.

 

[WilburCheeks]

How interesing it is that Komusa was able to remove my negative feedback from the Pricewatch dealer rating. Nothing I said was untrue. I'd go back to my VIC-20 before buying from these guys again. Pricewatch has either been duped or cares more about how many dealers they can keep than the satisfaction of the customer. Well I must say at least I've learned that there are some reputable online dealers out there. And there are some who misrepresent what they sell. Just a tip... If you have a good source for your system parts and pieces stick with it. They are few and far between.

 

[hkctr]

WilburCheeks - Glad you seem to be ready to put this behind you and move on. It's the best thing to do as long if can live with expensive PC3200. Reminds me of a quote I saw on someones signature, something like "Experience is the toughest teacher, she gives you the test first, then you receive the lesson."