Crucial PC2-8500 Ballistix Tracer Heatspreader off center ?

[eva2000]

Well I bought a few sets of 2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500 modules and started to test my second set. But for some reason in the second set, I couldn't install one of the modules in my dimm slot

So I examined the heatspreader carefully, comparing it to the other module in the set and look what I found. The problematic module's heat spreader (bottom module in image below) was installed off centre to the left as you can see the below image. No wonder it couldn't fit the dimm slot!



Question is should I RMA what could be a perfectly good set of Micron D9xxx modules, or should I try to correct the off centre heatspreader myself ? RMA back to USA would of cost AUD$60 (US$50) via USPS EMS/ECI courier from Australia!

I've never taken the heatspreader off any DDR2 module before for fear of ripping the ICs off the PCB. But decided to try and correct the problem myself with a hair dryer to heat up the heatspreader and my finger nails (lucky and hadn't clipped the nails yet as they were very useful :heh: ).

It took bloody ages with several bouts of hair dryer heating up to very very slowly loosen the TIM under the heatspread! I did one side at a time until finally they came off

Sexy bare naked Micron D9xxx module next to it's clothed partner



Close up.. At first, can't seen any clearly indentifying markings to suggest whether it's Micron D9GMH or D9GKX. But then if look very carefully you can see this module is Micron D9GMH