Another Ballistix bites the dust.

jaric

jaric

jaric

Associate
Joined
11 Mar 2005
Posts
358
One of my sticks of Ballistix DDR2 PC2-5300C3 has died after only 5 weeks of use. PC will not post with the dodgy stick installed but the other stick seems to be fine.

I rang the nice people at Crucial for an RMA number only to find out the PC2-5300C3 are out of stock, and due to a problem with their supply of components they are not expecting any in for another 4-5 weeks. :eek:

The memory is currently back at OcUK awaiting testing and hopefully I will get a replacement from them in a few days.
 
I was told by Crucial on Monday afternoon that it would be back in stock in two days.

4-5 weeks sounds a little excessive considering Crucial are owned by the company that actually makes the memory (Micron).
 
jaric said:
One of my sticks of Ballistix DDR2 PC2-5300C3 has died after only 5 weeks of use. "

you are not the last one :rolleyes:

in this period of time what voltage had you put through it?
Click to expand...
 
Was running at 920mhz 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v

Showing as out of stock on the UK & EU websites but seems to be in stock on the US site.
 
jaric said:
Was running at 920mhz 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v

Showing as out of stock on the UK & EU websites but seems to be in stock on the US site.
Click to expand...

So basically you overclocked it, it blew, and now you're complaining because you'll have to wait to get a free new one? Cheeky.
 
WJA96 said:
So basically you overclocked it, it blew, and now you're complaining because you'll have to wait to get a free new one? Cheeky.
Click to expand...

Well the RAM was running below the rated voltage of 2.2v and one of the 2 sticks has failed, so yeah I expect it to be replaced.

Where in my post was I complaining ?
 
jaric said:
Well the RAM was running below the rated voltage of 2.2v and one of the 2 sticks has failed, so yeah I expect it to be replaced.

Where in my post was I complaining ?
Click to expand...

Well, it you weren't complaining what was the point of the post? And it doesn't really matter if you over-volted it or not, you still ran it 50% over it's rated capacity and there are people who would say that that amounted to abusing it.
 
jaric said:
Was running at 920mhz 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v

Showing as out of stock on the UK & EU websites but seems to be in stock on the US site.
Click to expand...
Take from crucial website
http://www.crucial.com/uk/ballistix/content.asp?key=published_specs (bottom of page)

Don't forget...
We put great effort into testing our Ballistix modules in the configurations detailed above, but keep in mind that some system configurations may not operate at the published Crucial Ballistix memory speed and timing settings. Actual performance may vary based on configuration, usage, and manufacturing variability. Overclocking, running your system faster than published speed, or otherwise modifying your system timing may result in damage to computer components. If you plan to operate your hardware outside of specifications, do so at your own risk
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
jaric said:
Sorry I must have posted on the wrong forum. I thought this was overclockers.co.uk forums ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, you are, but Overclocking is a big-boys game for people with deep pockets who can afford to blow up a £350 CPU or £200 worth of RAM and just buy another one.

There is no such thing as a safe overclock. This whole 'Another Ballistix bites the dust' thread is basically saying "I bought a stick of RAM and overclocked it to destruction, and now I want another one please, Mr Micron". That's not really reasonable and they will stop offering big warranties if people abuse them.

All the retailers are guilty of selling a dream in one way or another - they imply that overclocking components is safe and that some components are bargains because they can be overclocked, but most usually shy away from taking back warranty returns on equipment that has been overclocked to destruction.
 
WJA96 - you'd almost be right - except in the case of memory - it really seems that the "killer" is electron migration caused by high (relative for DDR-2) VDimm ...

since the 5300 C3s are rated at C3 only at 2.2V - then running at say 1000 CAS5 probably puts no extra stress on them - wrt contributing to the highest potential failure mode - that caused by electron migration caused by high Vdimm over a period of time ...

well I don't think any of the modules really like this high a voltage - my Ballistix 8500s are 1066 at 2.2V - but at that speed/voltage they get VERY hot - even though very well ventilated case.

I'm currently experimenting running mine at 920 CAS4 - but at a much lower 2.05V - even though mine are guaranteed and warrantied to run 1066 CAS5 @ 2.2V.

Further to the above- I think you'll find the majority of RAM manufacturers warranty terms are based on max supported VDimm - which heavily implies that indeed the frequency they are run at is mostly irrelevant when it comes to failures ...

just my 2ps worth



WJA96 said:
Yes, you are, but Overclocking is a big-boys game for people with deep pockets who can afford to blow up a £350 CPU or £200 worth of RAM and just buy another one.

There is no such thing as a safe overclock. This whole 'Another Ballistix bites the dust' thread is basically saying "I bought a stick of RAM and overclocked it to destruction, and now I want another one please, Mr Micron". That's not really reasonable and they will stop offering big warranties if people abuse them.

All the retailers are guilty of selling a dream in one way or another - they imply that overclocking components is safe and that some components are bargains because they can be overclocked, but most usually shy away from taking back warranty returns on equipment that has been overclocked to destruction.
Click to expand...
 
not really - uses the same RAM modules

but so do about 30 other RAM makes/models ...

they "speed-bin" them as they are all originally only rated at 6400 speeds and then overclocked ...

some pass ...

some fail ...

so say 10% may make 1066 -they will then be binned as 1066 RAM etc etc

Mark.
 
jaric said:
LOL. I hardly think 920mhz 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v is "overclocked to destruction."
Click to expand...

Well, it failed while overclocked - so it could be because it was overclocked that it broke, which some store owners would reasonably take to be overclocked to destruction.

The RAM is speed binned on a number of factors. If your RAM was speed binned because it over-heated at the higher speed or something, then it may well run at the top speed for a few weeks then die. As every document you've ever read, anywhere, says - overclocking is a thing you do at your own risk.

[Edit]My sister, who is a contract law solicitor, has just reminded me that If the RAM is advertised as suitable for overclocking, then the situation is, of course completely reversed, as the retailer has stated that overclocking is a suitable use for the component and they then have to honour the guarantee in an overclocked state.[/Edit]
 
Last edited:
jongeeone said:
If i am wrong please correct me but im sure the 5300C3 is just the 8500C5 underclocked? So surley 930mhz isnt to much :).
Click to expand...

If that was true how would you expect them to ever sell any 8500C5?

You are correct in thinking that all the chips come off the same production lines, but some are better than others and those are the ones selected to be guaranteed to run at the higher speeds.
 
Last edited:
WJA96 said:
If that was true how would you expect them to ever sell any 8500C5?

You are correct in thinking that all the chips come off the same production lines, but some are bnetter than others and those are the ones selected to be guaranteed to run at the higher speeds.
Click to expand...

Exactly, by buying the Crucial 5300 C3 its not guaranteed to hit 8500 Speeds is it now?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom