Crucial Anniversary [B]is[B] just ordinary PC5300 Ballistix in a blue Heatspreader
As a result of trying to get an RMA out of Crucial and Overclockers for my Crucial 10th Anniversary RAM, both OcUK and Crucial are now stating in writing that Crucial 10th Anniversary RAM is definitely just ordinary PC5300 Ballistix RAM in a blue heatspreader.
Overclockers justify the phrase handpicked by saying that all Ballistix RAM is hand-picked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Bentley from OcUK
Dear Mr Anderson,
There appears to be some confusion relating to this returns issue. Crucial is the trading name for Micron semiconductors, the best chips from each batch are hand picked for use in the Crucial flagship product Ballistix. Micron provide RAM chips for many manufacturers including Cell Shock, OCZ, Mushkin etc but retain the best for themselves. Therefore all Ballistix RAM can be classed as hand picked.
In my opinion there is no such thing as ordinary Ballistix, it is widely regarded as the best RAM on the market, we cannot provide you with any 667Mhz DDR2 with better performance. The difference between the anniversary edition and the standard Ballistix is purely cosmetic and the current batch of Micron chips is believed to be the best yet although it is not possible to prove it. At no point did we state that the anniversary edition was better than the standard Ballistix, it was only ever sold as a "special Commemorative version", in fact please see below for the full product description that was placed on our website:
"In recognition of Crucial's 10th anniversary, the company has released a special commemorative version of our DDR2 PC2-5300 module. This limited-edition 240-pin DIMM is premium Crucial memory encased in a blue and silver aluminum heat spreader featuring the 10th anniversary logo.
A dual inline memory module (DIMM) consists of a number of memory components (usually black) that are attached to a printed circuit board (usually green). The gold pins on the bottom of the DIMM provide a connection between the module and a socket on a larger printed circuit board. The pins on the front and back of a DIMM are not connected to each other.
240-pin DIMMs are used to provide DDR2 SDRAM memory for desktop computers. DDR2 is a leading-edge generation of memory with an improved architecture that allows it to transmit data very fast. Each 240-pin DIMM provides a 64-bit data path (72-bit for ECC or registered or Fully Buffered modules).
To use DDR2 memory, your system motherboard must have 240-pin DIMM slots and a DDR2-enabled chipset. A DDR2 SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard SDRAM DIMM socket or a DDR DIMM socket.
The number of black components on a 240-pin DIMM can vary, but it always has 120 pins on the front and 120 pins on the back, for a total of 240. 240-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.25 inches long and 1.18 inches high, though the heights can vary. While 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs, 184-pin DDR DIMMs, and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 240-pin DIMMs and 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins. The notch in a 240-pin DDR2 DIMM is closer toward the center of the module.
- Part Number: TY2KIT12864AA663
- Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
- Package: Tenth Anniversary 240-pin DIMM
- Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
- Configuration: 128Meg x 64
- DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
- Error Checking: NON-ECC
- Speed: DDR2-667
- Voltage: 2.2V
- Memory Timings: 3-3-3-12
- Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • - 128Meg x 64"
As you can see we never claimed any performance increase for this version so the replacement offered by both ourselves and Crucial is like for like.
I hope this helps to resolve any confusion.
Regards,
Scott Bentley
Sales and Customer Service Manager
Overclockers UK
And it appears Trading Standards in Stoke on Trent agree;
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Bentley from OcUK
Dear Mr Anderson,
Having consulted with our local authority Trading Standards advice officer we have been instructed to make a formal offer to you.
He advised that the Misrepresentation Act 1967 is a civil legislation and contains no criminal provisions, therefore any enforcement action would have to be undertaken by Trading Standards under the Trades Descriptions Act 1968 and it was his opinion was that he did "not think that the advert was misleading".
As the goods were faulty then you are entitled to a remedy under the Sale of Goods act which would be either a repair or a replacement of a similar specification. We were also advised that as the manufacturer suggested that the Ballistix PC5300 is in fact the same you would not have an arguement to suggest that this is not a suitable replacement other than the blue heatspreader. As the heatspreader is a purely cosmetic enchancement rather than technical one you may struggle to claim any compensation based on that.
Finally, despite being advised that "if he was supplied with the higher spec unit then this would go beyond what he could reasonably expect". My offer of a Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit
(BL2KIT12864AA804) as a replacement still stands.
A signed copy of this offer will be sent via mail too, I await your response.
Regards,
Scott Bentley
Sales and Customer Service Manager
Overclockers UK
I personally feel extremely unhappy with Overclockers as I think they very much pushed this RAM as extreme overclocking RAM and I paid a hefty premium for it and all I got back from RMA was some PC5300 Ballistix. As you might expect, I am taking legal action - if any other 10th Anniversary customers would like to join me in this (at no cost or liability to yourself) please send me an e-mail on hexus@walteranderson.com.
And I can really apologise to the guy on the OcUK forums trying to get £90/2Gb for his Anniversaries as I suspect I may have just halved their value.