Question about Qualified Vendor List

[Kennysan]

I'm planning on getting an ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 mobo. I noticed a good deal for OCZ ram on the anandtech forums, but that vendor isn't listed on the qualified vendor list on the mobo's manual. Any advice on what I need to check to make sure I'm getting the right kind of ram?

 

[Lord Evermore]

You need DDR2, 240 pin, non-ECC, non-buffered modules. The certified list doesn't have anything to do with certifying brands based on their type, it has to do with certifying that they've been tested and are compatible. Even if you get the exact right type of memory based on the specifications, there's no guarantee it will be compatible. Right now a lot of boards seem to have issues with certain memory modules, and the M2N-E seems to be one of them; lots of modules that ought to work just don't. It might be safer to pay a few bucks more for one that is certified. Or if you can find one of the rare reviews of the board, see what modules they tested with. Or if the vendor has a good return policy and will let you send it back for free if it just isn't compatible, you only lose time and some shipping costs.

 

[Talcite]

There's more. The M2N-E doesn't work with many OCZ memory modules. I had to try several of them before I could find one that worked with it.

 

[DannyLove]

Best way to know for sure is:

Search the RAM manufacture's website on compatability.
Search these forums or the mobo's forums to see if anyone has had issues or the exact same question.

 

[Lord Evermore]

RAM makers don't seem too intent on actually testing their modules with these boards. They just go by the specifications, and list every module they make that ought to be compatible. Corsair does this, and on their forums their "RAM Guy" responds to people having problems with this particular board by just saying it ought to work and they must be doing something wrong.