New Ram -> BallistiX died again

[De1337]

Hey

I recently received a set of 4x1GB 1066Mhz Crucial BallistiX (5-5-5-15 2.2v)
I never made them run at those speeds, not even with only 2 DIMMs in the mobo.

Then one of the sets started making errors, and I RMA'd it... Got a new... Now the new set started making errors again? What is this? I'm gonna RMA this also, and ask for my money back. I'm gonna buy some new RAM anyway, these just don't seem to run very well with the rest of my system, for whatever reason.

So I've been looking at Corsair's DHX TWIN2X-4096, PC2-6400 5-5-5-18 @ 1.8v.
This is only 2x2gb, and will put less load on my northbridge, and they're only rated 1.8v. I never got to run 1066 on the other ones anyway, and any freq above FSB (running 400) seems to only show in memory benchmarks, which are not my favorite games. This is why I want to get these 800 ones. I just figured, that since they run 1.8v @ 800 mhz, and have those nice heatsinks (http://www.univendi.com/shop/images/...6400C5DHX.jpg), I'd be able to get them to run atleast 800mhz 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0 or 2.1, and I'd say they can handle the heat?

What are your opinions? Experience with this RAM set?

[Soulburner]

Motherboard?

[ExodusC]

What voltage have you been running these at?

Some motherboards won't even boot with these because they don't give enough voltage.

[De1337]

Been running at 2.2v
ASUS P5E

but i am told this overvolts ram quite a bit, so maybe that's why they're fried (they're rated 2.2v)

[jimmyz]

Been running at 2.2v
ASUS P5E

but i am told this overvolts ram quite a bit, so maybe that's why they're fried (they're rated 2.2v)

what about airflow? a fan is mandatory above 2.0v if you haven't used a fan there is your problem, along with a possible overvolting board.

[cantankerous]

I think my kits are slowly starting to go as well. They have never ran higher than 2.1v and I have an Antec Spot Cool over them but my system blue screens and crashes in games like it never use to. All cpu/video card tests pass and I noticed I now need 2.12v to keep it stable where it was before at 2.1v and under.

[nullface]

Bah this is so sad, hope my Ballisitx last longer that yours.
Running at 2.1 and got a slight overvolt.

[dsturner]

I run OCZ Reaper 1150mhz O/C to 1200 2.3volts and they work real good although its my second set!!!

You realy need to keep them cool as they do get HOT even with the heat pipe I use a 80mm fan on top of them. The first set I cooked!(1 month) This set Ive had for almost a year now and no errors.

By the way OCZ have a great turn around time for RMA's...like 3-4 days depending on where you are. Also the Lifetime warranty helps alot!!!!

Not saying to buy OCZ....just keep your ram cool and they will last longer.

[De1337]

I just think that running RAM at default speed and default voltage causing them to fry themselves unless you mount a god damn fan on top of them... really, is silly. That's like selling an overclocked CPU without saying it needs more than stock cooling : /

Anyway... No experiences with Corsair DHX technology? (XMS2 or Dominator.. don't care)

[dsturner]

The problem is is that they are overclocking ram that do create heat to run at those speeds ...Hence mother boards now that support them...speed = Heat simply. You could always go with a set of Value ram minus some performance and they last for years...Its a give and take...thats why a lot of manufacturers of these high speed ram also include a Lifetime warranty.

Its a given if the ram you are looking at takes more than 1.8 volts there will be heat involved, to make them last longer keep them cool. Its like a high performance engine you need serious cooling or you overheat and blow the engine.

On the other hand I understand your frustration...like i said earlier I fried my first set thinking with the heat pipe I would be OK but I also run them over there rated speed as with everything else in my case so another fan wasn't a prob. $7.00 fan and a piece of mind isn't so bad.

[De1337]

Sure, I see what you mean
I also did know that; I just think it's silly to sell ram under the impression that they will actually run like that without you doing anything special.

I'm fine with the fact that they give me some new ram when they die... but if they die every other month it could annoying (and yes, I could just cool them... And I am now, but that is not my point)

Also, valueram running at 1.8v don't come with heatsinks or anything fancy... if they make heatsinks, why the hell not make them capable of cooling the damn ram properly in the first place.

I'm not angry at all, I just think it's a weird way of selling stuff... expecting it to break and then replacing it (@ the lifetime warranty on all higher clocked ram).

Bottom line is i want some 1.8v... and then i'm just gonna buy ram that's fast enough to not need any extreme overclocking to not limit my FSB

[dsturner]

Hey I know where your comming from I thought the same way to and called OCZ and blasted them when it happened to me. No where did it say that I needed to cool them other then the heat pipe that was on them....par for the course but at least you know a little more than I knew at that time and I 100% agree with you. These company's would save a lot of RMA's if they explained this to the buyer!!!! Best of luck with what ever you buy...hopefully they will last longer.