http://reviews.ebay.com/Myth-Low-Density-vs-High-Density-memory-modules_W0QQugidZ10000000001236178

Can anyone confirm or refute this information?

I just tried to replace the faulty RAM in my PC, but every single time I 
insert the new module I just bought, the PC refuses to do anything. (It 
starts up just fine with the faulty RAM - albeigh it with a crapload of 
memory errors...)

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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On 7/29/2010 1:01 PM, Orchid XP v8 wrote:
>
http://reviews.ebay.com/Myth-Low-Density-vs-High-Density-memory-modules_W0QQugidZ10000000001236178
>
>
> Can anyone confirm or refute this information?
>

It does indeed look to be the case. I actually ran into this once. I was 
using an IBM desktop PC that had only 1 GB of RAM, we had on order 
memory from IBM for it, but the IT guy had another pair of 512MB ram 
that was originally destined for a CAD workstation, but for whatever 
reason remained unused. I asked him about it, he shrugged and said I 
could try it, but he didn't think it would work, since the memory was 
designed for the workstation. I tried it, and the PC refused to boot.

I'm pretty sure after what I read about high density ram (I looked at 
some other info on the subject besides the eBay page, also strange, our 
firewall doesn't block eBay...) that the ram for the CAD station was 
indeed high density. I suppose the other alternative is that it was 
registered memory.

> I just tried to replace the faulty RAM in my PC, but every single time I
> insert the new module I just bought, the PC refuses to do anything. (It
> starts up just fine with the faulty RAM - albeigh it with a crapload of
> memory errors...)
>

Yep. do the numbers on the chips indicate a 128x4 configuration (hint, 
you could probably Google the number on the chip and get a datasheet...)

According to the Wikipedia article on DDR Samsung K4H510438D-UCCC would 
be high density.
-- 
~Mike

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>> Can anyone confirm or refute this information?
> 
> It does indeed look to be the case. I actually ran into this once. I was 
> using an IBM desktop PC that had only 1 GB of RAM, we had on order 
> memory from IBM for it, but the IT guy had another pair of 512MB ram 
> that was originally destined for a CAD workstation, but for whatever 
> reason remained unused. I asked him about it, he shrugged and said I 
> could try it, but he didn't think it would work, since the memory was 
> designed for the workstation. I tried it, and the PC refused to boot.
> 
> I'm pretty sure after what I read about high density ram (I looked at 
> some other info on the subject besides the eBay page, also strange, our 
> firewall doesn't block eBay...) that the ram for the CAD station was 
> indeed high density. I suppose the other alternative is that it was 
> registered memory.

Aren't those usually keyed differently?

> Yep. do the numbers on the chips indicate a 128x4 configuration (hint, 
> you could probably Google the number on the chip and get a datasheet...)

Well, they do have the symbols "128x4" printed on them, yes.

So basically I've been sold a RAM product that doesn't comply with JEDEC 
specifications? That's nice. I don't suppose there's any danger of a 
refund though...

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On 7/30/2010 8:10 AM, Invisible wrote:
>>> Can anyone confirm or refute this information?
>>
>> It does indeed look to be the case. I actually ran into this once. I
>> was using an IBM desktop PC that had only 1 GB of RAM, we had on order
>> memory from IBM for it, but the IT guy had another pair of 512MB ram
>> that was originally destined for a CAD workstation, but for whatever
>> reason remained unused. I asked him about it, he shrugged and said I
>> could try it, but he didn't think it would work, since the memory was
>> designed for the workstation. I tried it, and the PC refused to boot.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure after what I read about high density ram (I looked at
>> some other info on the subject besides the eBay page, also strange,
>> our firewall doesn't block eBay...) that the ram for the CAD station
>> was indeed high density. I suppose the other alternative is that it
>> was registered memory.
>
> Aren't those usually keyed differently?
>

I don't think so, but they may be. I know the memory fit the slots...

>
> Well, they do have the symbols "128x4" printed on them, yes.
>
> So basically I've been sold a RAM product that doesn't comply with JEDEC
> specifications? That's nice. I don't suppose there's any danger of a
> refund though...

Well, if you bought from a reputable dealer...

-- 
~Mike

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