Generic Ram Memory Truth

[wakajawakka]

It's known that no name ram memories are a lot cheaper than brand ones.
My question is : do you have good reasons (besides lifetime warranty)to stay away from no name rams?
Anyone have had problems with those?
Making a parallel, are there differences or they work exactly the same way?
Brand is what makes the cost difference or it's something else?

I've seen people selling AUM memory macbook compatible on ebay at very good prices, anyone have used/heard about AUM?

 

[iBookG4user]

I've always used the cheapest memory compatible for my Apple laptops and had no problems. I've used both OCZ and Patriot, both were the cheapest available from Fry's at the time of purchase.

 

[CanadaRAM]

It's a question of risk vs. savings

If you are buying RAM that has not been tested compatible with Macs, you are taking the chance that you'll have to return it, possibly costing you restocking charges as well as shipping. And of course your time and effort.

Some generic RAM modules work fine in some model Macs. Some Macs are more tolerant... G4 and G5 towers are reasonably tolerant, Mac Pros, iMac G5s, G3 towers and iMacs, and early Aluminium Powerbooks are famously intolerant of RAM that isn't 100% to the Apple specs.

So how can you tell? Basically, you can't, not from reading the specifications on the RAM. There is far more detail to compatibilty than you will ever see published. So you have to rely on the seller to do the testing and provide the assurance.

The other part of pricing is build quality and chipset. I have seen some "Value Select" RAM from large brand names that are simply not as good quality circuit boards, and some MacPro RAM that is laughably poorly put together. One way for a generic manufacturer to cut corners is to not bother to burn the correct SPD settings into the modules -- that's OK for most PCs, but a disaster for many Macs.

I have also seen some excellently made third party RAM with major brand chipsets on them, that I would hold up against any brand you want to name. That's the kind of RAM from a reputable third-party seller you are looking for.

So it's worth checking around prices from Mac-friendly RAM vendors, you'll find that the prices are often close enough to the generic NewBigBoxBestEggFryBuy RAM that it is not worth the time and risk to save $10. Make sure you check often, because RAM prices change daily.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[mustard]

I would just recommend buying from newegg.com good pricing, warranty, and customer service.

I always try to find a trustworthy seller/company as opposed to focus on brand names when it comes to ram - keep in mind there are only a handful of companies actually making the stuff and supplying it to all resellers.

 

[astranovus]

I just received 2 x1 gb ram from crucial in the uk today.
they work like a charm and were pretty cheap.
they also come with a lifelong warranty.

 

[Jarcrew]

Crucial are amazing. I've bought four sticks of RAM from them in the past month and it's all worked like a charm.

 

[cubbie5150]

I'd always recommend buying RAM w/ a lifetime warranty; In my Windows days, I only bought directly from Crucial--just personal preference. I just don't understand the mentality of spending $2,000+ for a machine, then going cheap on something vital like RAM. My brother-in-law is like that. He spent $2,700 on his MBP, then bouight cheap RAM (which has failed), meanwhile, wasting money on apps & other accessories he will hardly use. Just don't understand it...