Whats the difference between these ram(s)?

APE992

Member
Jan 17, 2006
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Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory - Retail

The top one is what I'm currently running. Differences:
Top is "system" ram, bottom is "desktop" ram.
Top is $110.99 bottom is $89.99 and out of stock.
Top runs in a more streamline package, bottom is flamboyant.

The stickers on the ram are slightly different too. What I want to do is buy another gig stick and run matching for dual channel. I don't see any reason why I can't buy the top stick and run it with one I bought a few months ago. Any reason I couldn't substitute it for the cheaper one?
 

pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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According to the specs, the same.

Could it be a coincidence or just an oversight? The Webmaster not changing or deleting page because of work overload?

We see the overpricing of RAM just like the price of Gasoline! Gas prices have been dropping because the public has spoken and practice conservation. They're don't use as much, so more supply means lower pricing.

I have noticed higher discounting happening in the last few days. Could it be that the general public is wising up or just refusing to pay those outrageous prices for RAM. Those inflated RAM prices are a ripoff when C2D hit the market, isn't that a coicidence?

APE992, I congratulate you on bringing this to AT. It just verifies that some things are happening in the RAM world and it just proves that you can try but sooner or later people figure it out. It's too bad that retailers try to take advantage of the situation.
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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?RAMS? is incorrect and meaningless, ?Sticks of RAM? would be correct.

As for the differences; the specs are the same but Kingston doesn?t manufacture their own RAM chips so it?s possible they used a different source. I would try matching part or serial numbers to the RAM you already purchased.
 

APE992

Member
Jan 17, 2006
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I found this out completely by accident. I threw the specs for Kingston onto froogle and it turned up for Newegg with a WTF attached. That ram was $70 no more than a year where I paid $100 for it a month prior. I've put off getting a matching stick since upgrading to a 3700+ due to the insane prices available. Currently my spare 2600+ AXP is running underclocked with a cheapy ddr266 256mb stick just so I can use it without paying out the nose.

The top set matches perfectly with what I already have. I'm sure the manufacture dates will be different but I was under the impression that if you could reasonably match ram it would do dual channel without much issue. I've never known anyone to run 2 different branded sticks for dual but at one point you couldn't use mismatched brands for SLI either.
 

pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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I bought my 2GB OCZ Gold PC3200 DDR CL2 this past January for under $200.
Newegg has CL4 for $240. Less for more? Wow, am I surprised!
You're paying too much for a lot less. Are you going to take that?
I wouldn't.
You're smarter that that!
 

SuperNaruto

Senior member
Aug 24, 2006
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Nope, in theory they're the same but for business purpose, they're not

desktop ram are for generic pc - http://www.valueram.com/default.asp

system ram are cater towards specific desktop.. -http://www.kingston.com/branded/default.asp

ie you buy a dell, hp, compaq or other system specific brand, and you buy value ram instead of system ram, kingston will say you bought the wrong one..

i'm sitting here with kingston system ram. The memory will work on any pc but its specifically for H{/Compaq equivalent as the label on the box states
 

SuperNaruto

Senior member
Aug 24, 2006
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check here

http://www.kingston.com/branded/isa.asp

Customers who purchase an IBM warranty upgrade can receive IBM on-site service of selected Kingston products installed in or attached to IBM PCs, PC workstations, PC and Netfinity® servers, X-Series and ThinkPads®.

Please note: ValueRam products are not covered by the Kingston/IBM Service Agreement.

System ram will be cover by IBM warranty, but not value ram..
 

SuperNaruto

Senior member
Aug 24, 2006
997
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BTW Corsair has the same system

they have System RAM brand thats guarantee to work on your specific branded desktop... but they do not make that same claim on their other non system branded items..

yes it'll work but one is guarantee and one isn't.. its how much you know your memory to buy the right one