Crucial Ballistix stick dead, should I return pair or single?

Soldato
Joined
8 Nov 2002
Posts
4,547
Location
Kent
Its definitely dead (pc won't boot when this stick is in on its own or with 1 or 3 other dimms).

I'm not expecting to get the same RAM back, I'd expect some newer lower voltage stuff.

I thought as I bought it as a pair it should be returned as a pair, but I'm not given any indication either way when I fill in the online repair form.

Additionally if I wanted to sell it (which inevitably it eventually will be), it would be harder to palm off 2 non matched dimms.

Have I answered my own question here?


Also is it the D9 chips in general that break or is it just the DIMMs that crucial manufacturered? I was being conservative running 1081 with 2.1v stable, 4 dimms.
 
Last edited:
The chips that were the most problematic were the D9GMH - the replacements were I think D9GCT which are much better lasting wise tho they are probably on different chips now.

You should normally return the complete pair and get another set in replacement.

Crucial has always seemed worse tho for failure with the D9 series compared to any other make... while I rate their value RAM fairly highly I wouldn't touch their performance lines personally.
 
Hey I bought these sticks before they realized they died a lot. I only bought them due to how highly they were rated at the time. I paid £127 for one pair and about £45 for another a few months later when I was waiting for an RMA.

I just thought it strange that their return form treats the memory as if it was not a pair.

Just out of interest what would be a good replacement, not that I haven't already looked about. I need at least 4Gb good for 1081Mhz (just a little over 1066). Thats for 3.8Ghz q9550 5:6 divider since I've been told (and have some experience) of the p5q deluxe's distain for the 1:1 divider. However I'd like to think I had a shot at 4Ghz which would require 1130Mhz capable ram on 5:6. I have however seen evidence of people using 1:1 in benches. It even says in the bios: warning running lower than 800Mhz will be out of spec.
 
Last edited:
Its not easy to get hold of atm but the best DDR2 for clocking the Q9550 is OCZ Blades 9200 ULV stuff (1152MHz) @ 1.8v.
 
I paid £210 for 2GB :D never had a fault tho :D got 4x1GB sticks of Ballistix in my draw awaiting sale when I can be arsed to advertise them :D
 
Its not easy to get hold of atm but the best DDR2 for clocking the Q9550 is OCZ Blades 9200 ULV stuff (1152MHz) @ 1.8v.

4GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8800 1100MHz TT (PI) Series (5-5-5-15) Dual Channel kit w/ PI Heatsinks

That's rated for 1.8-1.9v, is it the same chips? (o/c results found in review below).

Although I have wicked voltage adjustments on the P5Q deluxe 0.02v steps up to really extreme volts.

I've read of poor overclocking with the Hyper-x brand and the OCZ Reapers. The patriot extreme seems to vary in the overclocking departments, and I know there used to be a 2.3v version. I was looking for overclocking using the 2.1v version.

I found this amongst a lot of other reviews :

http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...eicher-round-up/7972&sl=de&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
 
Return them in pair, I had asked their support :)

Also, although I had my Ballistix die twice their support was so great I would definately buy Crucial again (had my new RAM back within one week and I'm from Malta!).. The last time they sent me faster RAM as old model was EOL and so far these seem to be rock solid.
 
Does all Memory from Crucial have limited lifetime warranty?

I've been buying these chips for a few years now and constantly have problems with them. I've got 2 sets of 2gb (x2 1gb) that ive definatly had to replace and wondering If I can send them back.

I use Kingston now, thats the bran reccomended for Asus
 
A question for all those that have had Ballistix fail - what volts are you running?

I am interested as I've run many Ballistix DDR2 and most are overclocked but all are still on stock 1.8v. I've not had any problems so far but I am wondering whether the voltage makes the difference or if it's only a matter of time :(
 
A question for all those that have had Ballistix fail - what volts are you running?

I am interested as I've run many Ballistix DDR2 and most are overclocked but all are still on stock 1.8v. I've not had any problems so far but I am wondering whether the voltage makes the difference or if it's only a matter of time :(

Higher voltage was a massive contributing factor - but they still have a higher than normal failure rate on stock voltage - but the problem seems to scale exponentially with voltage - at 2.1v I think about 60% fail before a year.
 
I have to say Crucial have always looked after me.
I had to return the same ram twice, they done it with speed and no hassel at all.
They even phoned the house to check that I had it and if it was working ok.
 
Got some 8FE5 single sided to replace my 16FD5. Happy with the RAM I bought in the meantime, although its currently underclocked @ 1081Mhz.
 
Back
Top Bottom