8500C5DF does NOT dominate - it's junk

[pee4]

Got my 2 x 1GB kit of Corsair DDR2 8500C5DF Dominator RAM with fan.

What a total piece of junk. This stuff is not for the enthusiast.

Won't run 5.5.5.15 @ 1200mhz 2.1v

Won't run 4.4.4.12 @ 1000mhz 2.1v

This RAM cost me a fortune - way more expensive than other brands.

We don't buy this stuff to run at spec.

Giant heatspreaders and 3 fans.... what a joke.....

[Noob-ftw]

No need to post it twice though... You have to understand that not all kits are created equally, so you can't really expect the same top performance from every kit.

[Speederlander]

Why would you spend so much on dominator DDR2 when you can get RAM for easily a half or third the price now with equivalent performance? DDR2 has dropped ridiculously in price but for some reason the dominator parts stay high.

[pee4]

Why would you spend so much on dominator DDR2 when you can get RAM for easily a half or third the price now with equivalent performance? DDR2 has dropped ridiculously in price but for some reason the dominator parts stay high.

I had Crucial RAM but it was faulty. The only other 8500 RAM on the Asus motherboard QVL was Kingston or Corsair.

I've used a lot of Corsair in the past, and liked it. So I decided to get the Corsair (despite the price) as it looked killer RAM - big heatsinks, fans, and the name "Dominator "....

Buyer beware.

I make this post to help others avoid the same mistake.

[Speederlander]

Could also have been the mobo. Asus P5K Dlx nuked a lot of my RAM before I realized I had a bad mobo.

[NickS]

Sell them and get yourself a set of Crucial Ballistix Tracer 8500's if you want "killer looking ram." Most do 1200MHz too. ;)

[Nosfer@tu]

Next time dont buy specific brands but specific chip´s :)

Cellshock puplicly states what chips their ram has :D
Not on DDR3 yet but Who cares :D

Check out their webpage.

[NickS]

Up the vDimm to 2.2v.

[BenchZowner]

Why do I have a feeling that he's using a 975X mobo ?

[Yellowbeard]

Won't run 5.5.5.15 @ 1200mhz 2.1v

Won't run 4.4.4.12 @ 1000mhz 2.1v

It's not rated to run these timings at the speeds you have listed. If it won't run the rated timings and speed, we'll happily replace them. What MOBO do you have?

[Praz]

I have the same ram and does the speeds at the timings you listed. Perhaps a board or user issue.

[pee4]

Speedlander/BenchZowner/Yellowbeard: My motherboard is an Asus P5K-E/Wifi (P35 chipset).

NickS: Yes. I had Crucial 6400 and it could run at 1200mhz, but unfortunately it died. I replaced it with the Corsair feering that any more Crucial from the same batch could also be faulty. Yes, I tried 2.2v on my Corsair. It didn't help.

Nosfer@tu: Yes. I wasn't expecting fantastic RAM. But I definitely wasn't expecting Value Select...

Praz: You may have the earlier version based on the Micron chips. My Ram can't even do 1200mhz at 6.6.6.18 (2.2v).



As I see it, Corsair sell RAM in 3 performance categories:

1. Value Select
2. XMS
3. Dominator

This RAM should be marketed as Value Select. It definitely shouldn't be marketed as Dominator.

I've used a lot of Corsair in a lot of PC's for a lot of people. This 8500C5DF makes me completely sick in the stomach to think of the money I've spent and how useless it is.

It's bad for Corsair's reputation.

Yes. They got my money this time. But will they ever get it again?

I feel very badly let down by Corsair.

Thanks to everyone for their helps and suggestions.

[nicepun]

Got my 2 x 1GB kit of Corsair DDR2 8500C5DF Dominator RAM with fan.

What a total piece of junk. This stuff is not for the enthusiast.

Won't run 5.5.5.15 @ 1200mhz 2.1v

Won't run 4.4.4.12 @ 1000mhz 2.1v

This RAM cost me a fortune - way more expensive than other brands.

We don't buy this stuff to run at spec.

Giant heatspreaders and 3 fans.... what a joke.....


It's not rated to run these timings at the speeds you have listed. If it won't run the rated timings and speed, we'll happily replace them. What MOBO do you have?


He answered your question. Actually if you were to find ram that those speeds/timing/vdimm please let me know because YOU WON'T and if you do please provide proof/link!! Give it more juice (i.e. 2.3~2.4) and see what you get. Just curious, how much did you pay?

[pee4]

He answered your question. Actually if you were to find ram that those speeds/timing/vdimm please let me know because YOU WON'T and if you do please provide proof/link!! Give it more juice (i.e. 2.3~2.4) and see what you get. Just curious, how much did you pay?

I fully expected to be flamed by a few people. But at least this post suitably warns people not to expect anything more than Value Select performance from Dominator RAM.

The Crucial 6400C4 was able to run 4.4.4.12 at 1200mhz at it's specified stock voltage. As stated above, the Corsair 8500C5DF won't even run 1200mhz at 6.6.6.18 with big heatspreaders and fans (the Crucial didn't have the aid of those devices).

Regarding price, the Corsair was 54% more expensive than Crucial and 42% dearer than Kingston.

[pee4]

The max recommended voltage for this RAM is 2.2v. How safe is 2.4v?

[.devastatioN]

I have to agree this isnt the best overclockers kit for the price, but if it does the specified frequency at the specified voltage, you cannot complain nor making the company name bad as it does it job and if it doesn't they'll happily help you to replace your rams.

[maxxor]

8500C5DF what rev is your kit i bet its not micron i think your kit start whith 2.* not 1.* Corsair have changed the chip in 8500C5DF

[nicepun]

I fully expected to be flamed by a few people. But at least this post suitably warns people not to expect anything more than Value Select performance from Dominator RAM.

The Crucial 6400C4 was able to run 4.4.4.12 at 1200mhz at it's specified stock voltage. As stated above, the Corsair 8500C5DF won't even run 1200mhz at 6.6.6.18 with big heatspreaders and fans (the Crucial didn't have the aid of those devices).

Regarding price, the Corsair was 54% more expensive than Crucial and 42% dearer than Kingston.

You're telling me that you were take the Crucial Ballisitx DDR-800 to do 1200Mhz CL4 with just 2.2vdimm? I'm sorry but I do not beleive that. I've tested a lot of ram and I know alot of people that have tested alot of ram as well and I have yet to see ram to do those specs.

[trans am]

I have to side with nicepun on this. Anyone on here that has experience with micron D9 is going to tell you the same thing. You need 2.3-2.45 vdimm to run DDR2 with D9 those speeds unless your board is overvolting the memory... I'm guessing you got stuck with a bad kit and you're upset cause everyone paid under $100 for their RECENT D9 kits and they're overclocking way higher than you. Am I right?

[irev210]

You're telling me that you were take the Crucial Ballisitx DDR-800 to do 1200Mhz CL4 with just 2.2vdimm? I'm sorry but I do not beleive that. I've tested a lot of ram and I know alot of people that have tested alot of ram as well and I have yet to see ram to do those specs.

yah no kidding.


If you said 2.4-2.45v for 1200MHz 4-4-4-12, I'd say sure.


But seriously, get a grip. Dont make HUGE claims without pics.

[irev210]

I have to side with nicepun on this. Anyone on here that has experience with micron D9 is going to tell you the same thing. You need 2.3-2.45 vdimm to run DDR2 with D9 those speeds unless your board is overvolting the memory... I'm guessing you got stuck with a bad kit and you're upset cause everyone paid under $100 for their RECENT D9 kits and they're overclocking way higher than you. Am I right?

probably.


If you want to let people know how your dominator's perform, write up a small review.

[BenchZowner]

...write up a small review.

And make sure you're doing everything right ;)

[fireice2]

DDR2-1200 5-5-5-15 with 2.2v may be doable but with 4-4-4-12? I don't think so. 2.4v would most likely be required for such timings. :D

[mad_skills]

i have the dominators 8500c5d, without the fan, and they run 1100 CL4 and 1200CL5 no problem on my dfi on of 2.2,2.3VV no more...

[Kunaak]

this topic gave me a good laugh.

"this ram doesnt do 1200 at 2.1 volts or cas 4...."

the ram is rated for 1066 mhz, that C5 in the title means cas 5.
voltage rating I dont know. I'd guess 2.0 or close...

if the ram didnt do cas 5@1066, then yeah, sure you can complain.
but what you did, was get something with these dilusional fantasys of extremely high speeds, at very low voltages.... then complain cause you came across reality.

I'm speechless....

the rams not junk, your expectations are just completly unrealistic.

[fhpchris]

this topic gave me a good laugh.

"this ram doesnt do 1200 at 2.1 volts or cas 4...."

the ram is rated for 1066 mhz, that C5 in the title means cas 5.
voltage rating I dont know. I'd guess 2.0 or close...

if the ram didnt do cas 5@1066, then yeah, sure you can complain.
but what you did, was get something with these dilusional fantasys of extremely high speeds, at very low voltages.... then complain cause you came across reality.

I'm speechless....

the rams not junk, your expectations are just completly unrealistic.

300$ MICRON ram can actually do those speeds.

Alot of people could go buy the old 8500s and get a decent set that runs 1000c4 or 1200c5 at decent voltages...

This is just YET ANOTHER instance when corsair screws its customers with stuff to just make more money.

6400 Dominators ALL OVER AGAIN!

Why buy 150$-190$ ram when the same speed grade from another top end manufacturer that costs 1/2-1/3 as much and uses MICRON that will completely blow this crap away.

You dont just "take" dominator spreaders off, so clearly having a product that WAS micron and throwing promos in there is bull

Its like BMW making a ///M3 with a 100hp 4 cyl.

crap. crap. crap. crap.

the new M5 and M6 might own more, but you better bet that the M3 isn't going to get the shaft so they can only make more money.

[purecain]

the last 4 or 5 kits of pc8500c5 dominator i've used in customers pc's have been garbage.... i test em all in my own personal machine... most of them couldnt even do 1000mhz @4.4.4.12 at any voltage
my 4gb of xms2 pc8500 (which i bought when they were first released) dont even sweat and run up to 1100mhz at 4.4.4.12 @1.2v if i gave them more voltage i could push them further but they have given me enough for now... i wouldnt want to damage them and have them replaced with whats available atm.....

[hagatha]

My set of 8500's is currently running @ 1150 on 2.2v 5-5-5-15 on an evga 680i....

It's not 1200, but close...

I've had these for several months now... micron d9's!

hagatha

[kiwi]

Nothing is guaranteed. If they don't run 1 Mhz above rated speed you can't complain!

[Knight]

Nothing is guaranteed. If they don't run 1 Mhz above rated speed you can't complain!

Golden rule of over clocking. :yepp:

[Jon Boy Deluxe]

I have had 2 sets of dominators, both faulty - failed to run at rated speeds. Paid a fortune for them. Now they are worth 1/3 of what I paid for them so an exchange like for like doesn't seem fair to me.

I do however agree with what yellow beard/nicepun et al said re. expectations of overclocks - pee4 you set yourself up for disappointment.

They only need to do what they are rated for. Yours work, you should be happy. I've had super expensive paperweights for well over a year :(

[Yellowbeard]

I have had 2 sets of dominators, both faulty - failed to run at rated speeds. Paid a fortune for them. Now they are worth 1/3 of what I paid for them so an exchange like for like doesn't seem fair to me.

If you decide you want to RMA, use this link. Your lifetime warranty is still good. So, if it's the RAM that is faulty, we'll replace it.


http://www.corsair.com/helpdesk/default.aspx

[Jon Boy Deluxe]

I have had 2 sets of dominators, both faulty - failed to run at rated speeds. Paid a fortune for them. Now they are worth 1/3 of what I paid for them so an exchange like for like doesn't seem fair to me.

I do however agree with what yellow beard/nicepun et al said re. expectations of overclocks - pee4 you set yourself up for disappointment.

They only need to do what they are rated for. Yours work, you should be happy. I've had super expensive paperweights for well over a year :(


If you decide you want to RMA, use this link. Your lifetime warranty is still good. So, if it's the RAM that is faulty, we'll replace it.
http://www.corsair.com/helpdesk/default.aspx


Thank you YellowBeard, but replacing them won't make up for the frustrations, loss of value and the fact I never got to use them... It doesn't matter. I emailed customer care. This isn't my thread. If I can't get a refund/fair exchange I'll be forced to get a like for like rma... But I'll never buy another corsair product, or use them in machines I build for people. Not that Corsair will care lol (perhaps that is my point?)

[Yellowbeard]

If you had 2 consecutive sets of memory that would not run spec in a particular system, then odds are that it was not the memory.

[Agent-Sharp]

Hello,


But at least this post suitably warns people not to expect anything more than Value Select performance from Dominator RAM.

No it does not, the memory is no where near the same level as the Value select range.


Praz: You may have the earlier version based on the Micron chips. My Ram can't even do 1200mhz at 6.6.6.18 (2.2v).
Did you know that before you purchased the memory or after?

If after there is a sticky on the top explaining the IC update which you seem to be aware of.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=158651

Maybe you saw some reviews of the Micron based ones and bought these hoping for the same result, well that is something which can happen to anyone but Corsair have made an attempt to alert people to the IC update.


This is just YET ANOTHER instance when corsair screws its customers with stuff to just make more money.
Unfortunately not everyone is going to be aware of the IC update so I can see how people wishing to overclock will be disappointed but like some have already mentioned, you cannot expect anything other than the rated specification.

If the M3 is quoted to do 0-60 in 6s and have a top speed of 130Mph,
It doesn't matter what engine is in there as long as it meets the specification.

There may be revisions along the way but that is just the small print which comes as standard with most products.

So considering what has happened, I do understand your frustration but there really isn't any reason to complain.

Have you tried asking for a Micron set?

[oohms]

Thats what happens when someone forgets to do their research :rolleyes:

[Northwood]

this topic gave me a good laugh.

"this ram doesnt do 1200 at 2.1 volts or cas 4...."

the ram is rated for 1066 mhz, that C5 in the title means cas 5.
voltage rating I dont know. I'd guess 2.0 or close...

if the ram didnt do cas 5@1066, then yeah, sure you can complain.
but what you did, was get something with these dilusional fantasys of extremely high speeds, at very low voltages.... then complain cause you came across reality.

I'm speechless....

the rams not junk, your expectations are just completly unrealistic.

Crucial Ballistix 8500 is only rated at 5-5-5-15 @ 1066 but far surpasses this junk from corsair, a damn sight cheaper too.

[AngryArtichoke]

this topic gave me a good laugh.

"this ram doesnt do 1200 at 2.1 volts or cas 4...."

the ram is rated for 1066 mhz, that C5 in the title means cas 5.
voltage rating I dont know. I'd guess 2.0 or close...

if the ram didnt do cas 5@1066, then yeah, sure you can complain.
but what you did, was get something with these dilusional fantasys of extremely high speeds, at very low voltages.... then complain cause you came across reality.

I'm speechless....

the rams not junk, your expectations are just completly unrealistic.
:yepp:
Well said

[dinos22]

Kunaak heheeh :up:

[TheVaLVe]

You should see the motherboards manual first,
for 1066 RAMS that would rose on P5K-E are

1.Crucial with part BL12864AA1005 and BL6464AA1005
2.Kingston KHX8500D2K2/1GN and /2GN
3.Corsair CM2X1024-8500 and CM2X1024-8500C5D

[Mr Roboto]

My 8500C5D 2x1Gb are very picky about the voltage. When I first installed them I misread the voltages and set them to 2.2v instead of the suggested 2.1v. When I tried them at 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15-2T My PC wouldn't even post. On top of that I had a hell of a time just getting back into the BIOS. Resetting the CMOS seemed the only solution. As you can guess I was cursing Corsair for their crappy RAM. Turns out it was my own stupidity. However they still don't scale very high. 1066Mhz is really the max stable speed, for my pair anyways. I can't complain though because I bought 1066Mhz RAM and thats what I got.

On another note, my Intel Q6600 hates an FSB of 1333Mhz. No matter what she just won't boot at that speed. 1600Mhz seems no problem though. So basically what I'm saying is overclocking is not a science and there are a ton of variables that go together with it. Also it's really like playing the lottery at times. Just because you shell out a lot of money doesn't guarantee anything.

:wierd:

[Z-301]

Just want to add my 2 cents here --

I have 2x v1.2 and 2x v4.1. All of them test good in memtest at stock speeds and the v1.2s are very good OCers. However, when mixed...well, they don't. I can't get anything to run at even DDR2-800! Corsair support doesn't seem to care very much either, even though I've followed their instructions to a tee. Could it be a problem with board compatibilty? Yeah, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't stand behind their RAM and admit they screwed up with all these different versions!

Anyway, just a little frustrated that I pretty much wasted $100 and now have to go the Ebay route to recoup...

[Yellowbeard]

The fact that your system will not OC or run stock with 4 modules has nothing to do with the quality of the RAM if the RAM is not defective per se. If it is defective, we'll replace it. If it is not defective, you may want to contact ASUS.

[madfaze]

user problem?

[Z-301]

The fact that your system will not OC or run stock with 4 modules has nothing to do with the quality of the RAM if the RAM is not defective per se. If it is defective, we'll replace it. If it is not defective, you may want to contact ASUS.

Yes, as I said above, it could be a board compatibilty problem. I don't think the RAM is defective, otherwise memtest would have picked that up. It's just the fact that mixing revisions is problematic, not just for me, but for many people...and that just shouldn't be the expectation with top-of-the-line memory...

[Yellowbeard]

Well, we cannot control what the IC industry makes or does not make. We have to use the ICs that are available to us. That dictates different revisions. Otherwise, we could all go out and buy brand new memory with Winbond BH-5s, Samsung TCCDs, etc etc.

[Jon Boy Deluxe]

If you had 2 consecutive sets of memory that would not run spec in a particular system, then odds are that it was not the memory.

I beg to differ. I change components often. The first set were tested in asus p5b-d, abit aw9d-max, asus commando and the dfi icfx which all failed to work. My back-up ram (corsair xms) ran fine.

Second set were tested in the commando and blitz. Again they didn't work but my ram at the time, cellshocks worked flawlessly is both.

I'm not attacking you personally or trying to bash Corsair I simply wanted to inform the ram was tested on various working hardware I had at that time and it was the ram ;)

Apologies for OT.

[Z-301]

Well, we cannot control what the IC industry makes or does not make. We have to use the ICs that are available to us. That dictates different revisions. Otherwise, we could all go out and buy brand new memory with Winbond BH-5s, Samsung TCCDs, etc etc.

I understand that completely, but considering this is a top-of-line-product and my board is a top-of-the-line product from one of the biggest motherboard vendors in the world, you would think that somewhere along the way, one or both parties would have done some QC testing for board compatiblity with these two different revisions. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for a company like Corsair that has an annual revenue of $75Mil (and Asus with $1B)...

I've contacted Asus as well, and I'll post anything they have to say...

[Yellowbeard]

I beg to differ. I change components often. The first set were tested in asus p5b-d, abit aw9d-max, asus commando and the dfi icfx which all failed to work. My back-up ram (corsair xms) ran fine.

Second set were tested in the commando and blitz. Again they didn't work but my ram at the time, cellshocks worked flawlessly is both.

I'm not attacking you personally or trying to bash Corsair I simply wanted to inform the ram was tested on various working hardware I had at that time and it was the ram ;)

Apologies for OT.

I'm not sure what your example has to do with this thread but that's why I said "odds are". My point is, due to our testing procedures an user should not get 2 consecutive sets of bad memory from Corsair.

Z-301, I understand your frustration. But, situations like this are why we advise against mixing different revisions of memory. It is usually going to work but, it is unpredictable and it is not possible to get consistent results doing it.

I still say, if your system will not run 4 up at 667 and you have 2 working sets of memory, it is "probably" not the memory.

Have tried running 1 module of each revision together in dual channel?

[Z-301]

Not yet, but I appreciate the suggestion, and I'll give it a try when I have a minute. Thanks for your willingness to work with me on this.

[Yellowbeard]

I'm happy to try to help Z-301. Any results yet?

[Z-301]

Haven't had time to try it yet - will test tonight or tomorrow night and probably post Monday.

[Z-301]

I was able to test sooner rather than later, and it looks like you're on to something Yellowbeard. One stick of each in dual channel passed memtest just fine. I'm going to have to go back and retract all my statements about dominator revs. not mixing!!

Could the problem have something to do with Northbridge voltage?

[Yellowbeard]

It is possible that it is a voltage related problem. However, mixing different IC/revisions/speeds/brands etc is very unpredictable which is why we do not recommend it. But it is a good starting point to establish that you can mix 2 of these revisions. The NBv may be a good point to try to change.

[mu||et]

Yellowbeard, you have patients of gold!!!

[Yellowbeard]

Yellowbeard, you have patients of gold!!!Thanks man, I try. It's not smart to argue with people who have had a bad experience. They are entitled to their opinion so all I can do is try my best to help them. If we work out a solution, that's great. If they decide they don't like Corsair or want to use another brand I certainly can't change their mind by arguing with them.

[Z-301]

Just a quick update -- I haven't been successful with any settings so far, but I haven't had a lot of time to do much either. Maybe this weekend...

[Yellowbeard]

CORSAIR RMA LINK (http://www.corsair.com/helpdesk/default.aspx) This is the fastest way to get an RMA.

[Yellowbeard]

Wow,

That was easy enough. Very nice customer support. Just sent the old ram off, and should be getting the new stuff next week. Hope these sticks work better than the last one's, I couldn't get anything out of them. They were rev 1.3 sticks, maybe that had something to do with it.

Thanks again for the help YB,

andyc
No problem at all and let me know how it goes. Sorry you had the issue to begin with.