CHEAPO RAM, DOES IT WORK???

[Choppedliver]

does anyone have any experiece with the el cheapo pc3200 DDR generic stuff off pricewatch.com? I mean if you dont plan on overclocking or running crazy memory timings, shouldnt you be able to buy the cheapstuff and run a completely stable system?

 

[MrMet]

Dont buy cheapo ram, just not worth the headache. You dont have to go top notch! But dont go generic. You can get some decent pc3200 for around 75 bucks a stick for 512mb, maybe cheaper if you look hard enough.

 

[GaryShandling]

Are you talking about DDR SDRAM PC-3200?
Is there a difference between -3200 and 3200? or are they the same thing.

 

[Peter]

Whatever it is ... test what you bought. www.memtest86.com

Stay away from the ultracheap crap. If the RAM chips on it don't have a recognized brand name on, run. Fast. Plenty of shady stuff out there made from disposed and remarked not-so-good and even plain broken brand chips.

 

[EeyoreX]

I mean if you dont plan on overclocking or running crazy memory timings, shouldnt you be able to buy the cheapstuff and run a completely stable system?

Yeah. You should be able to. That doesn't make it so. Get some quality RAM, and like the others said, it doesn't have to be high end stuff, just some good stuff with a name brand.

\Dan

 

[optimistic]

I withdraw my recommendation of buying Kingmax

 

[Corporate Thug]

my pc3200 kingmax cannot run @ 200 mhz, i recommend against cheap ram as they may not even run at the advertised speed

 

[xSauronx]

buying something quality of a lower speed will likely run better than something cheap of pc3200

my hynix and spectec 256mb pc2100 are both running at 180mhz ddr right now without a hitch (same goes for the 1700+ i just got, hell of an overclocker) and i had them at 185 earlier

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
buying something quality of a lower speed will likely run better than something cheap of pc3200

Well said. 2 sticks of Samsung PC 2700 at 220@2-3-3-6 (2.9V though). Additional 2 pairs of sticks at 210 and 200, both@2-3-3-5 (2.7V).

 

[skiz]

I'm currently in the headache mode of using some cheap KByte ram from tigerdirect.. I get "phsyical memory dump" BSoDs at least 2-3 times a day because of the ram... waiting on some $$ and I'm going to order some crucial pc2700..

(running an abit nf7-s)

 

[Peter]

www.memtest86.com - that'll give you a 99.9 percent safe assertion whether you got a RAM problem or not. To be applied with EVERY purchase of new RAM, and also EVERY manual adjustment you make on RAM timings. If you aren't 100 percent free of errors in an overnight run, forget it.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: skiz
I'm currently in the headache mode of using some cheap KByte ram from tigerdirect.. I get "phsyical memory dump" BSoDs at least 2-3 times a day because of the ram... waiting on some $$ and I'm going to order some crucial pc2700..

(running an abit nf7-s)

1 word...RMA

oh wait you bought from Tiger yourwreck? good luck with the rma
Tiger Direct = :evil:

 

[Jeff7]

Stay away from this place. Their cheap PC3200 RAM is in fact overclocked PC2700. Other stores may indulge in similar practices. I'd say to check out the Geil RAM at Newegg; it isn't ultra-cheap but it does work.

 

[ProviaFan]

Stay away from cheap Kingston "ValueRAM." I have some PC2700, and it will not run at the rated speed (166MHz) without thousands of errors in memtest86; it will only run stable at 133MHz. Needless to say, I'm quite pissed about that, and will never be buying any "Value" RAM from Kinston again. Hopefully I can replace it soon with some better memory from Crucial, Corsair, or another reliable company.

 

[gsaldivar]

I buy tons of el-cheapo generic RAM at Fry's all the time...

I've had maybe one or two bad sticks over the years, but no incompatibility problems whatsoever.

 

[skyking]

all the failed ram i have diagnosed and replaced has been generic, and I have a comp coming in later tonight with dead generic, I will bet on it...... get branded ram, saves a lot of time.

 

[jonn]

I have just bought Kingston Value ram a couple weeks ago, 1 stick 2700,it has passed memtest86 fine, no lockups,blue screens, nothing using xp pro in windows, internet or games (BF1942-UT03,etc) and that is at 166 bs

oh, its in a Asus A7V8X mb with a AMD1800 (non OC)

a friend bought some 2700 "industry standard", not sure of the name, used it in a ECS motherboard, does just what yours does, he gave it to his nephew, he has NO problems with it, and weirdest part, MeMtest86 had all sorts of errors on that stick in my friends, but none in nephews computer, so, what is really at fault?

 

[Chrono310]

One of my friends just told me that his brother's mobo won't even work unless the ram is name brand. I think he has a generic mobo though...

 

[BoomAM]

If you buy ram that says DDR400/PC3200, then whatever the make, it must work at that speed, or the company that maunfacturers them could face legal action against false advertising.
The way to look at it, its regarless of the make, if they have the money to manufactuer and market a pc component, then they must be some sort of good.
The only major differences, is that major companies do extensive testing on their memory and provide good support, where as smaller less known ones dont.

 

[Thump553]

If the gave out certificates for being a cheap SOB, I would have one.

I've bought no-name RAM in the past. RAM problems are one of the most frustrating, dificult to track down problems there are in my inexpert opinion. RAM is one of the few things now were I insist on a particular brand name, and I like Micron (very good prices, great warranty service) and Mushkin (higher priced,l excellent service & product). Cheaping out in this area just isn't worth the lost time and frustration to me.

 

[Mitzi]

For nearly 2 years my machine has been running the same cheapo DDR 266 ram without any sort of problems. I originally bought this ram because it was considerably less than 'named' ram.

However, nowadays I feel that theres no real reason to buy generic ram...the price difference is much smaller than it used to be be. At the very least stick with a fairly cheap, named brand such as Crucial.