Captain Jack Sparrow
Anti-cryptominer
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2007
- Messages
- 561
- Reaction score
- 118
There seems to be a lot of strange DDR2 RAM modules on eBay.
Consider this scenario:
I'm looking for 4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM modules for an old desktop PC which we've re-purposed as a server. It currently has 8GB RAM installed, but this isn't enough, as it always seems to be running at (or near) capacity, which leads to large amounts of swapping. The motherboard (GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4) [external link, GIGABYTE] claims to support 16GB RAM.
I have been unable to find 4x4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM modules from "trusted" sources at a decent price. So naturally, I jump on eBay and find things like this (all links are external links, eBay UK):
Exhibit A - "Samsung"
Exhibit B - "Micron"
Exhibit C - "Hynix"
Now if you observe the listings carefully, you'll see notes such as:
Please excuse the absolutely shocking spelling errors, this was a direct copy and paste, be assured that those are not my mistakes!
So before I potentially throw £25 down the drain, does anybody here have experience with these RAM modules?
The only explanation I can think of is that it's something to do with the memory controller. I think AMD CPUs have their memory controller integrated on the CPU, whereas Intel platforms generally have their memory controller integrated on the chipset.
I'm concerned because I thought DDR2 RAM was universal, and although this purchase is targeted at an AMD system, I have my doubts about the quality of these RAM modules if they "can't work in Intel motherboards". Furthermore, because they all seem to be shipping from China, that's got all my alarm bells ringing!
They seem to feature chips from the likes of Samsung, Micron (parent company of Crucial) and Hynix, so I'd expect these to be reliable, but the fact that they're shipping from China still has me worried about the quality and authenticity of the RAM modules.
- Capt. Jack Sparrow.
Consider this scenario:
I'm looking for 4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM modules for an old desktop PC which we've re-purposed as a server. It currently has 8GB RAM installed, but this isn't enough, as it always seems to be running at (or near) capacity, which leads to large amounts of swapping. The motherboard (GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4) [external link, GIGABYTE] claims to support 16GB RAM.
I have been unable to find 4x4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM modules from "trusted" sources at a decent price. So naturally, I jump on eBay and find things like this (all links are external links, eBay UK):
Exhibit A - "Samsung"
Exhibit B - "Micron"
Exhibit C - "Hynix"
Now if you observe the listings carefully, you'll see notes such as:
Exhibit A: “Buyer note: it is hgih density, Only fit for AMD CPU Motherboard. It can not support any intel motherboard.”
Exhibit B:
“Buyer Notice:
This memory only compatible with the AMD mainboard/AMD chipset/AMD CPU.
Not work with(Not compatible):
1.All the Intel CPU,Intel chipset,Intel mainboard.
2.All the Compaq,HP,Dell,Apple Computer.
If your pc is intel chipset.Please choose the low densiy memory.”
Exhibit C: “This item is only compatible with AMD cpu motherboard.It can not work in any intel cpu motherboard.”
Please excuse the absolutely shocking spelling errors, this was a direct copy and paste, be assured that those are not my mistakes!
So before I potentially throw £25 down the drain, does anybody here have experience with these RAM modules?
What exactly is high density and low density RAM?
If I was to install some in an Intel motherboard, why wouldn't it work?
If I was to install some in an Intel motherboard, why wouldn't it work?
The only explanation I can think of is that it's something to do with the memory controller. I think AMD CPUs have their memory controller integrated on the CPU, whereas Intel platforms generally have their memory controller integrated on the chipset.
I'm concerned because I thought DDR2 RAM was universal, and although this purchase is targeted at an AMD system, I have my doubts about the quality of these RAM modules if they "can't work in Intel motherboards". Furthermore, because they all seem to be shipping from China, that's got all my alarm bells ringing!
They seem to feature chips from the likes of Samsung, Micron (parent company of Crucial) and Hynix, so I'd expect these to be reliable, but the fact that they're shipping from China still has me worried about the quality and authenticity of the RAM modules.
- Capt. Jack Sparrow.
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