Bizarre RAM problem . . .

. . . and I should never have downloaded Everest! lol

I used to be blissfully ignorant . . . then one day I downloaded Everest and my life will never be the same . . . I didn't know my wife's Athlon XP 2100+ was running too hot (I dealt with that problem), and I didn't know about this new problem - which is far more important because it is MY pc!

I have an Asus P4P800 motherboard, and 4 sticks of Samsung 512mb DDR 3200 400MHZ ram. The board supports the dual channel mode. I ran Everest and found that one of the sticks is reading as DDR2700 (333MHZ) ram - but is clearly marked as 3200. What could cause this? I have never had any trouble with Samsung ram . . . in fact, this stick is one of my first two of this speed. In bios it shows I am still getting the dual channel effect (linear mode?) - but I think this means that they all are running at 333MHZ speed.

As if that wasn't enough (here comes the bizarre part) on my wife's HP pc, which has an FIC AM35 board and runs PC2100ram (266MHZ), one of the sticks (also Samsung) reads as 3200!! I know what you are thinking . . . wrong ram, wrong pc. I thought that too. I pulled the ram in question, and it was clearly labeled as 2100 ram . . . but - there was another label under that one . . . I pulled the top one off - and the one under it says it is 3200 ram!!!!
I did what anyone would do - I switched them out. I put my 3200(2700?) in her PC, and her re-branded 3200/2100 in mine . . . and in mine, it reads as a 2100!!!! In hers, mine reads as a 3200 - I'm not making this up, folks.

Both pc's are running the same version of Everest . . . and before you ask I did try my funky ram in another slot on my P4P800 with the same result. I've already decided to buy another Samsung 3200 to replace the funky one, but I am curious if anyone else has had a like experience . . . or have I somehow offended some computer-related evil spirit?

I'm at a loss.

 

Firstly try swapping the RAM into another slot, eg A0 to A1 and visa-versa and see if the results also swap just double checking. Secondly check the serial No's on the RAM are they the same?!?

Finally contact Samsung and explain the dilemma and imply you have recieved a mislabelled RAM stick. I have to say this is a bit of a curly one as normally when you have a slower RAM stick it slows all of the others to the same speed?!? Thats from what I've read.

 

Another good app to use for this is CPU-z it can tell you the SPD (Serial Presence Detector chip) not speed and generally the "safe" speeds set by the manufacturer for optimum stability. It can also give you the current frequncy of each module.

 

Yeah, I did that. I actually tried it in two different slots . . . still reads as a 2700. I'll see what kind of response I get from Samsung about it - I've had the ram for quite some time now, so I'm not even sure if it is under warranty.

From what I have seen on the web, it appears ALL my ram is indeed running at the slower speed. Oh well - could be worse I guess. I'll either cajole a replacement from Samsung, or perhaps sweet talk my wife into buying me a new one - lol. Father's day is coming up!

I'll give CPU-z a try.

Thanks

 

Even if it not under warranty just mention proffessional integrity and conduct (works wonders if you choose your words carefully) and how you should appropiately ascertain the current speed. Get those SERIAL NUMBERS and quote them back to them if they start talking "WARRANTY" and state this is not a faulty module but a MISLABELED component and I would personally disucss with them about presenting these findings to a consumers rights party! To often the poor consumer is getting "ripped off" and it would be a matter of principle to myself!

 

You speak wisdom, Sir. I've not yet dealt with the issue, as it's been a busy few weeks in my household. I've recently become a Great Uncle (for the second time - damn, I feel old!) I will take your advice and use it.

Thank you,

Tim

 

CONGRATS

Wise maybe but I would prefer frustrated. My girlfriend and I purchased the whole suite of whites goods 2 years ago and the only 1 that has'nt been serviced/replaced is the toaster not to mention the "Korean" made TV that lasted 4 months past the warranty. Frankly I've had a gut full and I learn each time I contact service personal and have become more proficient with my dealings with these "dodgy" companies.

When I was a boy........

 

Well, just to close this out . . . I didn't even try and get the bad ram replaced . . . one of my sons' PC's can use it (it uses the 333mhz) so I just bought a new stick (can never have too much ram laying around, lol). It got here yesterday - I installed it and it is working fine.

I noticed with Everest that two of the installed ram have timings of 3.0-3-3-8, while the other two have timings of 3.0-4-4-8 . . . I've not tried to change the timings in bios yet (will in the future). Just so happens that the matching pairs are in the right position for the dual-channel function, so I'm gonna leave it be for now. Haven't run any benchmarks yet, so I don't know if it makes a noticible difference or not.

I must agree on the agony of dealing with customer service people . . . I'd rather swallow razor blades, lol. I usually sic my wife on them - she can talk a leopard out of it's spots, and then have it thank her for the opportunity!

 

Good to hear it's sorted and I would get all the timings the same myself. LMHO about the fericious missus mines from Japan and always seems to have to impaired Engrish when it comes to this sort of thing so it's upto me but to be honest some days I love it wiping the sleazy smile and causing heightened levels of anxiety as I calmly raise my voice and recommend to other consumers not to purchase from this store as products and or service are way below standard. Can be rather cleansing.