Corsair RAM RMA

[Wall Street]

I've just narrowed down some system stability and slowness issues I have been having to a bum stick of Corsair Vengeance RAM. Now that I've found the problem it is good to see that Corsair has a lifetime guarantee. Given the sticks are almost two years old, I'm surprised one has failed recently, since I've always kept them at stock voltage and speeds.

Has anyone here RMAed with them before? Do you think they will make me send the whole 16 GB kit (and taking my PC out of action)? Do you think they will give me a hard time for not having the original Newegg receipt or the original Corsair packaging?

 

[wansurfer]

One of the modules in my 16GB quad channel Vengeance kit went bad. I can't remember if I asked Corsair if I had to or not but I did RMA the whole kit. Otherwise there was no guarantee a single replacement module would match the timings of my other modules well enough that I'd still be able to use all of them in dual channel mode. Plus an unmatched RAM module could have effected the overclock ability of all of my RAM running together. I know people still mix and match RAM modules and dual channel mode still works but I try to avoid mixing and matching.

I think their warranties are based on serial numbers rather than receipts. Or, maybe it is the part number that is important. Anyway, its been a while but I think I found a way to check if the warranty was still valid by using something on their website but I may be thinking of a different company. I can't find a link for that right now. I did find this:

All RMA requests must include the following information for processing:

Corsair Part Number (for DRAM modules, also include the Corsair Lot Code as shown on each module)
Return Quantity
Reason for return

There was no mention that you need an original receipt to request RMA.

After I found the bad module in my computer I removed it and ran my computer with 8 GB of RAM until I found a different kit that I liked and wanted to keep instead of the Corsair RAM. Or, if you really like what you had, you could just buy some cheapo RAM, used or new, to use until Corsair gives you a new kit of RAM. It was inconvenient and annoying that I had to buy replacement RAM just because I had to RMA my kit of Corsair RAM but I preferred doing that more than not having a usable computer.

 

[daveybrat]

I know you probably don't want to do this, but it's really best to RMA the kit with both sticks together. That way you are assured a good working replacement matched pair of ram.

 

[Wall Street]

I know you probably don't want to do this, but it's really best to RMA the kit with both sticks together. That way you are assured a good working replacement matched pair of ram.

They still make the RAM that I have. You are kidding yourself if you think that the matching has goes beyond ensuring that each stick in the same kit has the same type of chips on it.

 

[wansurfer]

They still make the RAM that I have. You are kidding yourself if you think that the matching has goes beyond ensuring that each stick in the same kit has the same type of chips on it.

I think the companies say that modules from different kits even with the same specs still shouldn't be combined. I think Corsair will tell you that, too. I am skeptical that is true but I'm not going to personally test my doubts in this case. Confirming all the modules match enough to make a kit by connecting all the modules to something and running some tests seems a bit labor intensive for RAM modules to me.

I think I read an article about some research on this issue a couple years ago some place on the Internet- if the matching kits were just a marketing thing or if it really did matter. Unfortunately I don't remember the conclusion, even if I did remember the conclusion it may not apply anymore, and I don't know who funded the research.

Anyway, I expect you will have to return the whole kit. That's probably the same for most other companies and their RAM kits. I thought maybe you can email Corsair's RMA department and ask if returning the whole kit is necessary but I couldn't find an email address for just asking an RMA related question. :\

 

[Dessert Tears]

[thread=2230386]I did a Corsair RMA[/thread] last year. The online form was easy, and Corsair turned the RAM around in one business day. I sent in the full kit (2 sticks) and got a kit back. I think it makes sense from an inventory control standpoint: they can pull from normal stock instead of tracking single sticks.