Is this a fake ram

B

becool773

Forerunner
Hi,

Built a normal usage pc, only used for browsing/ms office and nothing else, in lockdown. Ordered a red vengeance 8gb ram from md computers. Felt the pc becoming slow when multiple tabs are opened. So tried to check the mhz of the ram before reordering a new one of the same speed and all I am getting is this

https://imgur.com/a/rlytap7

https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK

On the invoice no serial number of the ram is mentioned. Even if I contact them now there's no way to tell that this ram was purchased from them. The ram has a serial number sticker and "looks" authentic. What should be done here? My city does not have a kaizen service center, if this is sent to them via post then will they return it if its not genuine?
 
@NikhilSingh25 @kvn95ss
Give me time will share photos of ram.
Processor is ryzen 1600 and mobo is asus b350prime. From where to check the speed and how to change it if possible?
Why isn't it displaying any serial number or the name of the manufacturer? The same model is displaying the same for others who have posted about this online.
 
becool773 said:
Hi,

Built a normal usage pc, only used for browsing/ms office and nothing else, in lockdown. Ordered a red vengeance 8gb ram from md computers. Felt the pc becoming slow when multiple tabs are opened. So tried to check the mhz of the ram before reordering a new one of the same speed and all I am getting is this

https://imgur.com/a/rlytap7

https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK

On the invoice no serial number of the ram is mentioned. Even if I contact them now there's no way to tell that this ram was purchased from them. The ram has a serial number sticker and "looks" authentic. What should be done here? My city does not have a kaizen service center, if this is sent to them via post then will they return it if its not genuine?
Click to expand...
a. 8gb on windows is rather low (!!) these days, the OS itself uses a fair bit of memory (worse on w11). You're using more than 70% memory, likely already using pagefile (or swap, or storage as memory)
b. 1200MHz is normal, DDR is double data rate, what manufactures claim as X MHz, is typically X MT/s (mega transfers per second), and X/2 MHz. I've seen windows task manager report both X and X/2, claiming MHz, probably due to incorrect SPD information on the RAM.

Your RAM is running at the correct speeds, 2400MT/s or 1200MHz, and no, it's not slower than DDR3, as the same applies for DDR3 and DDR5 (and any DDR).

Check if your bios lists an XMP with higher speeds, but 1st gen ryzen CPUs and mobos were notorious for bad ram compatibility, and would take a lot of effort to stabilize at even 3000MT/s.
 
becool773 said:
@NikhilSingh25 @kvn95ss
Give me time will share photos of ram.
Processor is ryzen 1600 and mobo is asus b350prime. From where to check the speed and how to change it if possible?
Why isn't it displaying any serial number or the name of the manufacturer? The same model is displaying the same for others who have posted about this online.
Click to expand...
go into bios by pressing delete on startup , and then you can look for either XMP profile/ AMD EXPO or ram overclocking/ ram frequency/ ram speed.
 
I guess you tried to overclock the RAM, and that didn't work out, so it might have defaulted to 1200MHz. @ze_cook might be right, but the RAM should be overclockable, at least by little. Try 2133MHz.
 
becool773 said:
After saving these settings the pc took about a minute to start. Is this ok?
Click to expand...
Yes, it "trained" the memory, or rather, calculated appropriate timings that are not part of the profile.


becool773 said:
The task manager still says speed as 1200mhz. Why is that so?
Click to expand...
Because that's what a "2400" ram runs at, 2400 mt/s = 1200 mhz, blame the manufacturers/software for the discrepancy, but it is indeed running at 2400 mt/s.
Here's an article that explains in detail https://www.cgdirector.com/mts-vs-mhz/
kvn95ss said:
I guess you tried to overclock the RAM, and that didn't work out, so it might have defaulted to 1200MHz. @ze_cook might be right, but the RAM should be overclockable, at least by little. Try 2133MHz.
Click to expand...
2133MHz, the actual MHz, is DDR4-4266, unachievable by OP's platform. DDR4-2133 (what you probably meant) is slower than what OP's system is running at (DDR4-2400).
 

Attachments

  • SmartSelect_20240502_175534_Firefox.png
    SmartSelect_20240502_175534_Firefox.png
    205.1 KB · Views: 59
Last edited:
I used to have a Ryzen 1700 on a ASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero x370 board.

Even with GSkill FlareX 3200 MHz CL14 RAM it was a PITA to get it to run at rated speeds on the 1st gen Ryzen mobos with DOCP.

I am guessing OP is facing similar kind of issue where the RAM defaulted to its base speed.

https://imgur.com/a/mc7gMll

I would suggest looking up the RAM model on the manufacturer website and set the frequency and timings as per the manufacturer specs.

e.g. say the RAM spec says as follows-
www.corsair.com

VENGEANCE® RGB RS 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 Memory Kit

CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB RS DDR4 memory punches up your PC’s aesthetics with dynamic, individually addressable RGB lighting, while delivering outstanding performance optimized for Intel® and AMD motherboards.
www.corsair.com www.corsair.com

1714653436298.png


You will have to set the following as per your screenshot
Memory Frequency- 3200 MHz
DRAM Voltage 1.35

The SPD latency spec of 15-15-15-36 will need to be set as follow-
DRAM CAS# Latency-15
Trcdrd-15
Trcdwr-15
RA Pre time-15
RAS Act Time- 36

You will have to tweak the timings and especially DRAM voltage a bit based on system stability as the PC might not boot and you will need to do a BIOS reset in that case. :P

Judging by your posts I am guessing you are new to this and if you are not gaming/doing intensive tasks where you need to squeeze max performance out of the system then leave it be.
 
kvn95ss said:
I guess you tried to overclock the RAM, and that didn't work out, so it might have defaulted to 1200MHz. @ze_cook might be right, but the RAM should be overclockable, at least by little. Try 2133MHz.
Click to expand...
I never did that my friend.
Try 2133MHz.
Click to expand...
Please eli5 this
NikhilSingh25 said:
what is the actual speed of your ram 2133mhz or 2400mhz check on the sticker.
And what version of bios do you have for mobo?
Click to expand...
Bhai as per the ss from from dos commands
https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK
its CMK8GX4M1A2400C16
How to check the bios version?
ze_cook said:
Yes, it "trained" the memory, or rather, calculated appropriate timings that are not part of the profile.



Because that's what a "2400" ram runs at, 2400 mt/s = 1200 mhz, blame the manufacturers/software for the discrepancy, but it is indeed running at 2400 mt/s.
Here's an article that explains in detail https://www.cgdirector.com/mts-vs-mhz/

2133MHz, the actual MHz, is DDR4-4266, unachievable by OP's platform. DDR4-2133 (what you probably meant) is slower than what OP's system is running at (DDR4-2400).
Click to expand...

Bro can you please explain the last line like eli5? And check this dos screenshot, only the part number says that its from crosair but there's no serial number
https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK
Marcus Fenix said:
I used to have a Ryzen 1700 on a ASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero x370 board.

Even with GSkill FlareX 3200 MHz CL14 RAM it was a PITA to get it to run at rated speeds on the 1st gen Ryzen mobos with DOCP.

I am guessing OP is facing similar kind of issue where the RAM defaulted to its base speed.

https://imgur.com/a/mc7gMll

I would suggest looking up the RAM model on the manufacturer website and set the frequency and timings as per the manufacturer specs.

e.g. say the RAM spec says as follows-
www.corsair.com

VENGEANCE® RGB RS 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 Memory Kit

CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB RS DDR4 memory punches up your PC’s aesthetics with dynamic, individually addressable RGB lighting, while delivering outstanding performance optimized for Intel® and AMD motherboards.
www.corsair.com www.corsair.com

View attachment 195932

You will have to set the following as per your screenshot
Memory Frequency- 3200 MHz
DRAM Voltage 1.35

The SPD latency spec of 15-15-15-36 will need to be set as follow-
DRAM CAS# Latency-15
Trcdrd-15
Trcdwr-15
RA Pre time-15
RAS Act Time- 36

You will have to tweak the timings and especially DRAM voltage a bit based on system stability as the PC might not boot and you will need to do a BIOS reset in that case. :p

Judging by your posts I am guessing you are new to this and if you are not gaming/doing intensive tasks where you need to squeeze max performance out of the system then leave it be.
Click to expand...
What's PITA?
In layman language, why has the RAM defaulted to it's base speed?

I changed the DOCP settings in bios as mentioned by members here
Before
https://imgur.com/a/wIqgSst

After
https://imgur.com/a/HGV96Yd

https://imgur.com/a/mc7gMll

But I am not seeing any increase in speed or something. Why is that so?


And most importantly, check this dos screenshot, only the part number says that its from crosair but there's no serial number
https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK
Also check other screenshots in the main post. Is this a fake ram as Crucial and serial number isn't mentioned anywhere?
 
Last edited:
First things first, ram is always sold in terms of MT/s which is again typically converted to MHz which is actually twice the real frequency of the ram so 3200 ram is actually 3200MT/s which is actually 1600MHz ram.

Now the next most important thing, corsair vengeance ram is one of the most notorious ram to achieve any speed over the base frequency (the lowest/safest ram frequency which the ram guarantees to support & which is set as its default). You must be very lucky to achieve more than 2400MT/s (which is 1200MHz) on a typical 3200 MT/s vengeance ram (which is actually 1600MHz) when using old ryzen processor & mobo.

Marcus Fenix said:
I used to have a Ryzen 1700 on a ASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero x370 board.

Even with GSkill FlareX 3200 MHz CL14 RAM it was a PITA to get it to run at rated speeds on the 1st gen Ryzen mobos with DOCP.
Click to expand...
My ryzen 1200 pc on B350 mobo running gskill ripjaws V 3200 ram at exactly 3200 MT/s aka 1600MHz.

Ram is not sold anywhere in India with serial no. mentioned on invoice as far as I know.
 
Try checking with HWInfo. Upon launching, the very top window should tell you what speed the RAM is running at. For example in my case:

HWinfo.jpg

You can see that Clock speed is shown at 1800Mhz which means my RAM is running at 3600MT/s.

So if your ram is running at 2400MT/s then the clock speed section will show 1200Mhz.

Some more info on the whole MT/s and Mhz debacle:
 
LinkdJay said:
Try checking with HWInfo. Upon launching, the very top window should tell you what speed the RAM is running at. For example in my case:

View attachment 197284
You can see that Clock speed is shown at 1800Mhz which means my RAM is running at 3600MT/s.

So if your ram is running at 2400MT/s then the clock speed section will show 1200Mhz.

Some more info on the whole MT/s and Mhz debacle:
Click to expand...
+ @guest_999 @kvn95ss @NikhilSingh25 @ze_cook @Marcus Fenix
Screenshots from HWinfo

https://imgur.com/a/V5fMN9Q

https://imgur.com/a/26dYWkR

https://imgur.com/a/qmeWX7Z

Why isn't it showing the serial number in either hwinfo or in cpuz? On reddit people are complaining about fake rams of corsiar and crucial every other day. Is this a fake ram?

I changed the DOCP settings in bios as mentioned by members here
Before
https://imgur.com/a/wIqgSst

After
https://imgur.com/a/HGV96Yd

https://imgur.com/a/mc7gMll

But I didn't notice any change in speed/performance. Should I revert them back to what they were?
 
becool773 said:
+ @guest_999 @kvn95ss @NikhilSingh25 @ze_cook @Marcus Fenix
Screenshots from HWinfo

https://imgur.com/a/V5fMN9Q

https://imgur.com/a/26dYWkR

https://imgur.com/a/qmeWX7Z

Why isn't it showing the serial number in either hwinfo or in cpuz? On reddit people are complaining about fake rams of corsiar and crucial every other day. Is this a fake ram?

I changed the DOCP settings in bios as mentioned by members here
Before
https://imgur.com/a/wIqgSst

After
https://imgur.com/a/HGV96Yd

https://imgur.com/a/mc7gMll

But I didn't notice any change in speed/performance. Should I revert them back to what they were?
Click to expand...
Your RAM seems fine to me. My RAM does not show serial no. either.

The reason you are experiencing slow downs is because you are running only 8GB in Single Channel Mode. Either add another 8GB stick or, if possible, change your OS to one which is not as RAM heavy.

You could also attempt updating your motherboard BIOS, for 'potentially' better RAM stability. Your BIOS version is ancient and seems to be from 2017. Early Ryzen AM4 bioses' were notoriously finicky with RAM stablility and performance. Do check this list to see which CPU supports which BIOS version, if you do decide to update your BIOS.
 
Last edited:
Memory does not necessarily have a serial number uploaded to the SPD to report back to the OS. Some might have it, some not. MD is on the whole pretty reputable and I have seen some complaints of doa/refund issues here, but none concerning fake or counterfeit parts.
2133 vs 2400 you will not notice any difference in normal usage.
 
becool773 said:
Why isn't it showing the serial number in either hwinfo or in cpuz?
Click to expand...
No ram shows that in those software, only manufacturer service centres using specialized tools/software can see it.

becool773 said:
On reddit people are complaining about fake rams of corsiar and crucial every other day.
Click to expand...
Nobody will sell you a fake ram in India with a proper gst invoice bill especially if buying from established pc components selling shops/websites like md/vedant/primeabgb etc.

You need to use at least a bios version from late 2018/early 2019 but make sure you read all the info in release notes of bios versions as newer bios versions removed support for some older gen ryzen processors due to bios size limitation. I am also using B350 mobo & 1st gen ryzen & my 3200 ram is running at 3200 (aka 1600MHz0 using its XMPP profile. Also, many ppl don't know this but there is always a risk when overclocking ram as an unstable overclocked ram may cause micro errors leading to silent corruption of data over a duration of months/years so you need to check your ram overclocking by running some ram stress test for at least 8-9 hours to confirm no errors occur during that test.

Btw, I think the easiest & simplest solution for you would be to get another same model 8gb ddr4 ram & use a bit less tabs in chrome.
 
LinkdJay said:
Your RAM seems fine to me. My RAM does not show serial no. either.

The reason you are experiencing slow downs is because you are running only 8GB in Single Channel Mode. Either add another 8GB stick or, if possible, change your OS to one which is not as RAM heavy.

You could also attempt updating your motherboard BIOS, for 'potentially' better RAM stability. Your BIOS version is ancient and seems to be from 2017. Early Ryzen AM4 bioses' were notoriously finicky with RAM stablility and performance. Do check this list to see which CPU supports which BIOS version, if you do decide to update your BIOS.
Click to expand...
Thanks bro. Pardon me for asking this again and again, in the original post when the cmd command was run to check the ram it didn't show the serial number nor the name of the manufacturer. Why do you think that's the case?

This pc is only used for typing in ms word and to browse the internet so it is fine as per the usage. About updating bios, is there a chance that a noob can screw this up?
Coming to this post https://techenclave.com/threads/is-this-a-fake-ram.219789/post-2527119 I have posted the before and after photos, since there is no speed difference so should I stick with the before settings or with the after one's?
calvin1719 said:
Memory does not necessarily have a serial number uploaded to the SPD to report back to the OS. Some might have it, some not. MD is on the whole pretty reputable and I have seen some complaints of doa/refund issues here, but none concerning fake or counterfeit parts.
2133 vs 2400 you will not notice any difference in normal usage.
Click to expand...
Thanks bro. Pardon me for asking this again and again, in the original post when the cmd command was run to check the ram it didn't show the serial number nor the name of the manufacturer. Why do you think that's the case? I just want to know why some rams, exact same ram, shows it and mine doesn't.

Coming to this post https://techenclave.com/threads/is-this-a-fake-ram.219789/post-2527119 I have posted the before and after photos, since there is no speed difference so should I stick with the before settings or with the after one's?
guest_999 said:
No ram shows that in those software, only manufacturer service centres using specialized tools/software can see it.


Nobody will sell you a fake ram in India with a proper gst invoice bill especially if buying from established pc components selling shops/websites like md/vedant/primeabgb etc.

You need to use at least a bios version from late 2018/early 2019 but make sure you read all the info in release notes of bios versions as newer bios versions removed support for some older gen ryzen processors due to bios size limitation. I am also using B350 mobo & 1st gen ryzen & my 3200 ram is running at 3200 (aka 1600MHz0 using its XMPP profile. Also, many ppl don't know this but there is always a risk when overclocking ram as an unstable overclocked ram may cause micro errors leading to silent corruption of data over a duration of months/years so you need to check your ram overclocking by running some ram stress test for at least 8-9 hours to confirm no errors occur during that test.

Btw, I think the easiest & simplest solution for you would be to get another same model 8gb ddr4 ram & use a bit less tabs in chrome.
Click to expand...
Nahi bhai if you check the first post, those cmd screenshots, it will show. You can test it in your own system. I just wanted to know ki mere system ne kya galti kardi.

This pc is only used for typing in ms word and to browse the internet so it is fine as per the usage. About updating bios, is there a chance that a noob can screw this up?
Coming to this post https://techenclave.com/threads/is-this-a-fake-ram.219789/post-2527119 I have posted the before and after photos, since there is no speed difference so should I stick with the before settings or with the after one's?


Thank you all for confirming that it isn't fake. But my mind is still stuck as in how come this command not showing manufacturer name or serial number
https://imgur.com/a/N1lJIXK
But on reddit and google people with the same ram are reporting results with manufacturer name and serial number
 
Last edited:
Back
Top