Why Don't I See Much OCZ Ram???

[Zap]

FWIW...

I've once owned a stick of OCZ PC3000 256MB with copper heatspreaders (no version#, so probably the first ones out). It was rated to 366MHz CAS2.5. It did exactly that, and no more (tried on a Gigabyte 845D chipset board and an MSI SiS 645 board). Back then people were getting phenominal overclocks with PC2100 Crucial, and a bit later PC2700 Samsung CTL modules, so I think people were upset that they couldn't take the OCZ memory and overclock it.

As for people saying their OCZ RAM couldn't even run as advertised...

Review, Corsair TwinX DDR3200

while the Corsair TwinX did do 200Fsb @ 2-2-2-6 timings, it didn't do it at the default memory voltage of 2.6V. It took every bit of 2.8V to do it

The timings and FSB was what Corsair "officially" sold the RAM as. My thinking is that all these speeds are not official JEDEC ratings and if RAM doesn't do what it's "rated/pretested" at, oh well. Perhaps the motherboard doesn't do those settings properly, perhaps the CPU doesn't like the FSB, perhaps the motherboard and that particular memory doesn't work well together (yes, it happens)... who knows?

My next stick of RAM will be... probably generic.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

IMHO, in general it is better to avoid RAM that has heatspreaders: the only exception to this is if you buy from a company that has a stellar track record. The only companies I would trust for memory with a heatspreader are Mushkin, Corsair, Kingston, Crucial (if they did that), and Samsung.

Any other company you are really risking it. That is, they could be using 7ns chips and you could never tell since removing the heatspreader would void your warranty. I know for a fact that even Corsair does this (you can check their help forums, it is confirmed by the "Ram Guy"); the difference is that Corsair has such excellent quality control that this is irrelevant. For example, my Corsair PC3200C2 goes above it's rated specs, despite the fact that the chips being used are actually Winbond 6ns chips.

You may want to check my thread on DDR400 chips for more info. You'd be surprised to see that the specs for all DDR400 chips are nearly identical.

I say, score some Samsung Original PC3200, Crucial PC3200, or Twinmos PC3200. These come without heatspreaders, so you can clearly see that the chips being used are appropriately rated (in this case 5ns). In addition, since these companies tend to be conservative with their ratings, you'll likely get a nice overclock out of them, possibly reaching the speed of much more expensive "overclocker" RAM.

This is all IMHO, of course

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle


I say, score some Samsung Original PC3200, Crucial PC3200, or Twinmos PC3200. These come without heatspreaders, so you can clearly see that the chips being used are appropriately rated (in this case 5ns). In addition, since these companies tend to be conservative with their ratings, you'll likely get a nice overclock out of them, possibly reaching the speed of much more expensive "overclocker" RAM.

preach on bro!

 

[Zap]

Not to rain some more on the Corsair fanboys, but...

http://www.hardwareluxx.de/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000015&p=3

Unfortunately, the Corsair DDR333 didn´t fullfill it´s specifications and was just stable at CL2,5... even Corsair didn´t know why our module did not work at CL2

http://www.hardwareluxx.de/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000015&p=12

Of course, we also tried the specification OCZ is giving for the module - 185 Mhz @ 2-3-3-6-2 was just the mark we could achieve but nothing more. So our two sticks of PC3000 just reached it´s specifications but nothing more... We offered them to test their new PC3200 in the second part of the roundup - but again there was no reply...

That particular OCZ module was the same one that I had purchased. I also found that it ran exactly as specified, but no higher at the specified CAS2. Not too bad for a factory overclock (not positive, but I think they actually use Samsung PC2700 CAS2.5 modules and rate them higher). Now, the Corsair did not even reach the specified settings (don't know what modules they use, but there are memory manufacturers that specify PC2700 CAS2). On the flip side, Corsair seemed to be in contact with the reviewers while OCZ wouldn't even give them the time of day.

My point is not to make Corsair look bad and OCZ look good. I just wanted to shed some perspective on this. Now, I don't deny that OCZ as a (former?) company had a bad reputation. Perhaps they cut too fine an edge in their module qualifications, and definately they provided substandard customer service. Their actual memory modules, however, probably work just as good AND JUST AS BAD as any other *overclocked* module.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I've never been a fan of OCZ but I've heard they have finally been born again or some sh*t, who knows

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
I've never been a fan of OCZ but I've heard they have finally been born again or some sh*t, who knows

and who cares too!?
I'm stayin away!!

 

[alrox]

I've been running a 512mb stick of OCZ pc2700 revision 3.2 2-2-5-2-1t timings in an MSI max2-fir 845pe board with 0 problems for about 4 months now.

 

[KingofFah]

I have said this too many times. OCZ has a bad rep, but their new RAM is great.

OCPrices 3200/3500 shootout
HEXUS Review

 

[Zap]

KingofFah, let me extrapolate from your statement... if you buy OCZ memory (could this be said of Geil?) buy it from a vendor that will back up the warranty (such as Newegg) and don't rely on the manufacturer (until such time as they start providing customer service, if that ever happens).

 

[KingofFah]

Hehe, don't think extrapolate was the word to use there, especially if you first learned the term in mathematics. I do agree with what you added, though, and I recommend people to do just that.

 

[tbates757]

Originally posted by: alrox
I've been running a 512mb stick of OCZ pc2700 revision 3.2 2-2-5-2-1t timings in an MSI max2-fir 845pe board with 0 problems for about 4 months now.

Yes, me too, my rev 3.2 has been running at 178fsb at 2-2-5-1, i'm sure i could hit ddr400+, the reason being is because OCZ pc2700 revision 3.2 uses Winbond 5ns Rev B chips, the same chips used in Corsair XMS PC3200. So guys, keep buying your ultra expensive silver colored ram, ya ya thats it, ocz sucks

 

[syberscott]

Well, now I'm confused. It seems like more people are posting pro OCZ now.
I live in Canada and was going to order from Bigfoot Computers. They say they provide "in house warranty exchanges", so I'm hoping that will prevent any problems considering that OCZ ram is lifetime warrantied. (Whose life, mine or the ram's)

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: syberscott
Well, now I'm confused. It seems like more people are posting pro OCZ now.
I live in Canada and was going to order from Bigfoot Computers. They say they provide "in house warranty exchanges", so I'm hoping that will prevent any problems considering that OCZ ram is lifetime warrantied.(Whose life, mine or the ram's)

More like the life of OCZ :Q They've dissolved and re-incorporated under so many different parent company names over the years that the brand OCZ is the only thing that didn't change

:disgust: As long as you get your warranty honored from the reseller and not OCZ it sounds like you'll get a high performing stick based on the testimonials popping up in this thread and if it does take a dirt nap on you it won't be wasted money that way

 

[Zap]

Syberscott, yeah, don't rely on OCZ for warranty.

Hehe, don't think extrapolate was the word to use there, especially if you first learned the term in mathematics.

dictionary.com
ex·trap·o·late
1. To infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information.
2. Mathematics. To estimate (a value of a variable outside a known range) from values within a known range by assuming that the estimated value follows logically from the known values.

So, I did use the term properly. Not to be nit picking or anything.

 

[KingofFah]

I know what it means, I just did not think you were estimating or inferring. I read what you said again, and I still do not see it.

 

[mrman3k]

I have 768MB of OCZ PC3200 memory.

 

[Mister694]

i have 512 mb is dual channel ocz pc 3500 el ddr and it is awesome.... i did have to contact support as one of the chips i recieved was messed up.... however they sent me more out that same day.... performance has been as advertised... yeah there was issues back then but give them a try you will not be dissapointed

 

[Zap]

KingofFah, I re-read what you originally wrote and you are right. I think I meant to say "expand" instead, or something like that. I didn't re-read your original post until now. My apologies.

 

[KingofFah]

I was the one who was nit-picking, though, hehe. I needed to waste some time - my own and apparently yours.

Judging from what people have said here, most of the time OCZ turns out to be pretty good.

I think it boils down to the kind of person you are: You either give a guy who has a bad rep a chance, or you avoid him at all costs.
If you are closer to the latter, no one is making you buy it; however, you might be missing out.

 

[mechBgon]

If they're rebuilding their credibility so they can take a bunch more people for a ride later, they will do it without any help from my dollars. :disgust:

 

[BigD131]

I originally had issues running 2 sticks of OCZ 256M PC2700 Rev 3.2 ram and tried every setting and slot set up and my system was just not stable. I took it back and got just 1 stick of OCZ 512 PC2700 Rev 3.2 and my system is rock solid and set at 5-2-2-2. I would probably by OCZ again. I was impressed by there tech support, I emailed them asking about the issue and they got back to me within the day. (durning business hours of course).

 

[Rand]

Given their past business tactics I wouldnt dream of touching them. They seem to be turning the corner and improving, but I've seen them claim improvements many times in the past and it's always turned out the same.

I said when they first reincorportated that I'd be waiting at least 24mnths before touching any OCZ RAM, and I still hold to that. It'll take a VERY long time for them to re-gain my trust given all their past actions.

At this point I refuse to even review OCZ DRAM, they contacted me to review their PC3200 DIMM's upon launch and I turned them down then and I wouldnt now either.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

it seems to me that a lot of the people who have posted pro ocz have had initial problems and had to return something...even my lame generic worked first try, hell I had generic pc2100 running @ pc2700 2-2-5-1t for 6 months til I bought real pc2700 when I upgraded my stuff and sold all my old stuff...