[mythtv-users] RAM differences, was: will this system cut it ?

[Steven Adeff]

On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 1:35 PM, John Drescher <drescherjm at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> As far as the high quality vs commodity RAM it is really just a
>>> numbers game. In general there are usually not fundamental differences
>>> between the performance of the RAM (assuming they have the same
>>> specs). The commodity RAM just undergoes less stringent
>>> testing/quality control. As a result they know they will have some
>>> known higher failure rate and thus they can pick a price and warranty
>>> that reflects that. It is basically a way for the chip fabs to
>>> increase their yields and the distributors to hit different market
>>> segments. The strategy is used in one form or another for virtually
>>> all electronics. If you don't mind a higher probability of failure and
>>> the possibility of doing an RMA then go with the cheaper stuff. If
>>> having a lower probability of dealing with that stuff is worth an
>>> extra $10 then go for it.
>>
>
> I fully agree with that.
>
>> Makes sense, that's the sort of info I was looking for.
>>
>> So I guess if the memory is installed and working, it is not any different
>> from the high-priced stuff, there is just a slightly higher chance of it not
>> working in the first place, or failing later on?
>>
> I have never seen ram fail later on in any of the 200+ machines I have
> built. It usually is DOA or you notice the problem within the first
> few months of usage.

I actually encountered a stick of RAM go bad on a machine, it was a
few years old and the machine was built 5-6yrs before that. I have no
idea why *one* of the sticks went bad after all that time, all I can
think is heat? That was it, I've never seen another stick go bad after
a decent amount of time in operation working fine, amongst my or any
friends computers.

-- 
Steve
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/User:Steveadeff
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