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Ram Does The "Brand" Matter
- Thread starter jrphoenix
- Start date
kamper
Diamond Member
Maybe, it's entirely possible that those no-name modules will be just fine. I'd say that the main advantage of going name brand would be that you can find reviews that will comment on the stability of the memory and that comment on the quality of the service you'll get (in case the ram is bad). At least then you have some idea of what you're getting. But most of the brand names have value oriented lines too. Are you looking at those as well?
AWhackWhiteBoy
Golden Member
generally speaking from my experience,it used to not matter. i always put in generic ram for pcs i wasn't over clocking, super generic really. and i coud still run them at cas 2 even though they were ment for cas 3.
but it seems the newer chipsets are picky, i bought a stick of generic ddr400 ram for a kt266a chipset,ran great. i tried it in my new Nforce 400 ultra, and it didn't see it at all,even at 166.
i would say if your getting generic,get it within reason. value ram series are generally a great choice for non-overclockers.
but it seems the newer chipsets are picky, i bought a stick of generic ddr400 ram for a kt266a chipset,ran great. i tried it in my new Nforce 400 ultra, and it didn't see it at all,even at 166.
i would say if your getting generic,get it within reason. value ram series are generally a great choice for non-overclockers.
I'd suggest to go for a brand, though Corsair, OCZ, Mushkin etc is for overclockers and/or those wanting every last bit of performance for every last dollar, but it is (IMO anyway) way too overpriced otherwise. Crucial, Kingston ValueRAM, Samsung, TwinMOS...
If the place you're buying from is cool about returns, and a bad stick (& returning it) wouldnt be any real hassle, and you really want to cut costs, then go for it, but personally I can do without the often niggly little problems that bad ram can come up with, often really hard to spot & disgnose. Certainly there's no way I'd build a machine for a m8 without using at least one of the brands above.
If the place you're buying from is cool about returns, and a bad stick (& returning it) wouldnt be any real hassle, and you really want to cut costs, then go for it, but personally I can do without the often niggly little problems that bad ram can come up with, often really hard to spot & disgnose. Certainly there's no way I'd build a machine for a m8 without using at least one of the brands above.
AWhackWhiteBoy
Golden Member
have you ever had a stick of ram burn out? dead on arrival doesn't count!
i've never had a single stick die,ever.
i agree here, if you want to go generic, you're putting yourself at risk in terms of your overclocking potential and compatibility. for overclocking i would stick with the name brands. generic ram however is still good for some purposes. i have an extra 512 mb of generic pc2100 that i use for troubleshooting and sometimes just to add to increase my total memory. it's about 2 years old now but it still runs fine when i use it in my rig.
AWhackWhiteBoy
Golden Member
stated speeds and latency problems are a product issue right off the bat,you can return it and get a different product without bringing the company warranty into the picture. i consider warrantys something for a year or more down the road.
CrucialLabs
Member
Well, what I found about generic modules is they tend to use 4 layer PCBs which cause freak noise and you will get some unexplained errors in your system because of it. Stay with a name brand and you can't go wrong. The majority of issues related to memory modules is static, dusty computers or power spikes.
JBT, the reason your module was only reading at 128MBs instead of the full 256MBs is something went wrong with the SPD chip and was reporting the total amount wrong. Sometimes its hard to figure what happened until it comes back and is tested. The normal life span of memory used in a computer is about 150 years. Amazing huh?
As far as latency and speed issues and memory not running at stated speeds has alot to do with people asking the memory to do more then it can. For instance, Install a PC3200 module in a system with a FSB of 333MHz and it will not run at 400MHz because the FSB is slower. Say you have a module which is CL-2 and you install a module at CL-3 and they wonder why the system is not running at CL-2.
Hope this helps.
JBT, the reason your module was only reading at 128MBs instead of the full 256MBs is something went wrong with the SPD chip and was reporting the total amount wrong. Sometimes its hard to figure what happened until it comes back and is tested. The normal life span of memory used in a computer is about 150 years. Amazing huh?
As far as latency and speed issues and memory not running at stated speeds has alot to do with people asking the memory to do more then it can. For instance, Install a PC3200 module in a system with a FSB of 333MHz and it will not run at 400MHz because the FSB is slower. Say you have a module which is CL-2 and you install a module at CL-3 and they wonder why the system is not running at CL-2.
Hope this helps.
Most suppliers offer "major" DDR memory that isnt branded specifically but supplied by major suppliers such as Samsungs.
It is true , generic memory is cheaper for a reason. The reason being quality, or the lack of. However there's cases where cheap generic memory has served me well. I dont overclock the FSB.
Memory's something I buy locally - any issues and I can drive back to the store and change it over for another brand.
And as for these crazy low latency memory types, well if you have cash to waste for the extra 5% in quake3, by all means 😉
It is true , generic memory is cheaper for a reason. The reason being quality, or the lack of. However there's cases where cheap generic memory has served me well. I dont overclock the FSB.
Memory's something I buy locally - any issues and I can drive back to the store and change it over for another brand.
And as for these crazy low latency memory types, well if you have cash to waste for the extra 5% in quake3, by all means 😉
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
I've never had a stick of RAM die on me, generic or name brand. Compatibility has not been an issue either with ANY chipset. I used to use generic because of price but moved on to slightly more expensive name-brand value RAM soley for warranty reasons (you never know).
MemberSince97
Senior member
Yes, I've had a stick of ram catch on fire. Apparently a surface mount capacitor shorted and smoke and flames started billowing off it..
Go for brand name lifetime warranty, imo.
CrucialLabs
Member
LOL, it sucks when the magic smoke escapes. From my dealings with generic memory, trying to get warranty service is like pulling teeth. Stick with name brand and you can't go wrong. This is based on personal experience not because of my affiliation.
Yep. That's why I always avoid the generic stuff these days. I do have some boxes that have it, but these will never be replaced if it ever needs it. In the old days when PC100 (and maybe PC133) ruled the roost, the differences may not have been so great, but today's high performing stuff is not as forgiving.
I've found that most generics still use "brand" name memory modules and I suppose that's how they suck people in. Most folks don't realize it's the difference in PCB quality that counts here. As noted before, there's a difference between the well-constructed 6 layer PCBs and the cheaper 4 layer types. You can have the best chips in the world, but the stick is still crap if the PCB is sub-standard.
I've found that most generics still use "brand" name memory modules and I suppose that's how they suck people in. Most folks don't realize it's the difference in PCB quality that counts here. As noted before, there's a difference between the well-constructed 6 layer PCBs and the cheaper 4 layer types. You can have the best chips in the world, but the stick is still crap if the PCB is sub-standard.
Markfw
Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
Heres my latest: I got 2 512 meg stick of PC4200 OCZ LL (2.5,4,4,7 or 8 forget which) from newegg as refurb (new $390) for $309 thinking great deal. Well, they will only run in my Athlon64 box at 2.5,6,6,15 at 210. Then I RMA them (get the number, and while waiting to be able to return, try putting them in my A7N8X deluxe, and they WILL run at 2.5,4,4,7 or 8 ! (but I don;t need memory for that box) But they still only run stable at 195 (probably CPU limited). I Put back in my Kingston Hyperx PC3500 CAS2 (in the Athlon64) and they run ar 2,3,3,6 at 215 !
Memory, even brand memory is getting very picky nowadays.....
Memory, even brand memory is getting very picky nowadays.....
Kingofcomputer
Diamond Member
Today the price difference between brand name's value line and generic (brand name chips on unknown pcb made by unknown maker) is almost none, who bother to buy generic?
I think that it is better to spend the extra $5 for piece of mind. However, you will probably be fine with generic models.
The main problem I have had is when it comes to mixing and matching DIMMs of different speeds, brands, and size. Cheaper memory often has more compatbility problems, although the motherboard and various other components in the system play an important role in this as well. Also, the longevity of the memory module probably depends on the quality of the manufacturing equipment and such just as with any other product out there.
The main problem I have had is when it comes to mixing and matching DIMMs of different speeds, brands, and size. Cheaper memory often has more compatbility problems, although the motherboard and various other components in the system play an important role in this as well. Also, the longevity of the memory module probably depends on the quality of the manufacturing equipment and such just as with any other product out there.
vegetation
Diamond Member
I had to rma a kingston stick that was causing strange crashes and corruption. Anyways the process was so smooth. Just had to enter my info on the web site (i.e. no talking to someone who can't speak english) then got my rma approved the next day and they cross shipped to me by 2 day air. I'm sticking with kingston from now on even if it's a few dollars more.
thebestMAX
Diamond Member
Only RAM I ever had go bad on me was a stick of Apacer that came in a Tiger Computer. Died just out of warranty and Apacer never answered any of my emails and I never got in touch with them. I use it for a book mark today.
Used Crucial ever since and just ordered some OCZ for comparison.
Used Crucial ever since and just ordered some OCZ for comparison.
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