Not happy at all with G.Skill Memory

/Start Rant

I ordered this memory back in August of 2008.

All my parts came including this memory, but oh no, it failed Memtest at stock settings. 500 FSB DDR2 1000 with 2.1 volts at 5-5-5-15

Sent back my first set $8 shipping to California from Florida (UPS Ground)

Got back a brand new set from the RMA but oh wait, fails memtest at stock settings yet again.

Sent back second set recently (Been busy). Got back a THIRD BRAND NEW SET from G.skill buuuuuuut..... it fails memtest at stock settings!

This memory is binned as PC26400 meaning it is DDR2-800 memory. G.skill is supposed to test the sticks and then the ones that are able to run at DDR2 1000, are sold as such. Problem is, I don't think there is much testing going on.



Edit: Switched my newest set to slots 2 and 4 and the memory is fine. I jumped to an early conclusion on this set because I was frustrated. Lesson learned: Switch your memory into different slots if your having errors in memtest, it might fix your problem.

/End Rant

Chances are that it's not the RAM that's at fault, but one or more of your BIOS settings that's causing Memtest to fail. When Memtest fails it doesn't necessarily mean you have bad RAM. Any number of things can cause it to fail, including incorrectly set Vdimm, RAM timings (including sub-timings), Vcore (Vcc), vNB (vMCH or vSPP), tRD (Performance Level), etc. Using the following P5Q Deluxe BIOS template, fill in as much as you can re: your current settings (just disregard my settings, and replace with your own)...

redduc900 said:

Chances are that it's not the RAM that's at fault, but one or more of your BIOS settings that's causing Memtest to fail. When Memtest fails it doesn't necessarily mean you have bad RAM. Any number of things can cause it to fail, including incorrectly set Vdimm, RAM timings (including sub-timings), Vcore (Vcc), vNB (vMCH or vSPP), tRD (Performance Level), etc. Using the following P5Q Deluxe BIOS template, fill in as much as you can re: your current settings (just disregard my settings, and replace with your own)...

Code:

JumperFree Configuration Settings:

AI Overclock tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio Setting: 8
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
FSB Frequency: 500
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1000Mhz
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: AUTO
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: AUTO
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: AUTO
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: AUTO
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

1st Information :

CAS# Latency: 5
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : AUTO
Row Refresh Cycle Time: 55
Write Recovery Time: AUTO
Read to Precharge Time: AUTO

2nd Information :

READ to WRITE Delay (S/D): AUTO
Write to Read Delay (S): AUTO
WRITE to READ Delay (D): AUTO
READ to READ Delay (S): AUTO
READ to READ Delay (D): AUTO
WRITE to WRITE Delay (S): AUTO
WRITE to WRITE Delay (D): AUTO

3rd Information :

WRITE to PRE Delay: AUTO
READ to PRE Delay: AUTO
PRE to PRE Delay: AUTO
ALL PRE to ACT Delay: AUTO
ALL PRE to REF Delay: AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
AI Clock Twister: Lighter
AI Transaction Booster: Manual
Common Performance Level [10]
Pull-In of CHA PH1: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHA PH2: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHA PH3: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHA PH4: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHB PH1: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHB PH2: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHB PH3: DISABLED
Pull-In of CHB PH4: DISABLED

CPU Voltage: 1.40000
CPU GTL Voltage Reference (0/2): AUTO
CPU GTL Voltage Reference (1/3): AUTO
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.58
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.32
DRAM Voltage: 2.04
NB Voltage: 1.32
NB GTL Reference: AUTO
SBridge Voltage: 1.20
PCIE SATA Voltage: 1.60

Load Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Clock Skew : Auto
NB Clock Skew : Auto

Advance CPU Settings
CPU Ratio Setting: 8
CPU VID: Default
C1E Suppport: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel® Virtualization Tech: Disabled
Vanderpool Technology: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Click to expand...

Funny thing is, these are the same exact settings I am using to the T except for Intel Virtualization Tech because I heard I needed that enabled for folding on vm's.

I do have good news to report. Something I should have done before jumping to conclusions. I switched the memory from slots 1 and 3 to slots 2 and 4 and now they are passing memtest at 500 fsb

Very strange to me, I wonder why in 1 and 3 they were getting errors. Both configurations are dual channel though, so I don't really care if they are in 2 and 4.

Wow, so it was the motherboard all along.

I was going to give my condolences on the bad luck with g.skill, as I've had nothing but good luck with the dozen or so sticks I've bought in the past year.

Multiple RMAs are very frustrating, and I know for a fact that some manufacturers don't test returns very well(if at all) before they send them back off to some poor unsuspecting sucker customer, as an RMA replacement.

I'm on my 2nd(actually 3rd) go-around with an MSI P6N Diamond that I bought used. Still doesn't 'act' quite right, but at least[atm] it runs...for a while.


...maybe I should relocate the memory from slots 1 and 3 to slots 2 and 4, and see if that makes a difference.

Hmm let me clarify. No it was not the motherboard all along. I have tested both prior sets in multiple slots as well as a friends computer with a 680i chipset. This time I jumped to conclusions to early (Because of my frustrations) and the fact that the errors came up so quickly.

Anyways the RMA experience with g.skill has been fine its just frustrating that I am on my third set. But hey, all is well now and I am running 8x500 gaming online for hours with no hiccups

I've had good experiences with G.Skill RMA. Less than a week turnaround!