Anyone else out there own a DDR5 kit with mixed PMICs between sticks?

[dainluke]

Something I've been struggling to wrap my head around is why two XPG kits I've owned have had different PMICs between DIMMs. Both times it's been one Richtek and one ANPEC. Perhaps it shouldn't matter, but the two G.Skill kits I've owned didn't exhibit this and I've literally not come across a single person on the internet with this case, and I've looked at way too many DDR5 ASRock Timing Configurator screenshots.

The first Lancer RGB kit I owned had totally non-sequential serial sticker S/Ns, and although my current kit does have sequential S/Ns according to their respective serial stickers, I've come to find that CPU-Z is again reporting a HUGE discrepancy in SPD serial numbers. That along with the mixed PMIC thing again makes me think this is still not a legit matched kit.

Someone on OCN suggested that perhaps Adata have been repurposing kits and essentially mixing DIMMs after repackaging them. Definitely possible, but would really really suck to hear that. I would also add them to my don't-purchase list to join the likes of G.SKILL, Gigabyte, and Raidmax. I'd be willing to take a screenshot on CPU-Z to kinda show you guys what I mean but I'm not sure if sharing my product S/Ns publicly would be a good idea.

If anyone would be willing to check the SPD on their two DDR5 DIMMs via CPU-Z it would be much appreciated. I've since emailed ADATA to get an answer. It seems it might be time to switch over to Corsair by this point being that 80% of my PC is already from them.

 

[TollieKop]

Something I've been struggling to wrap my head around is why two XPG kits I've owned have had different PMICs between DIMMs. Both times it's been one Richtek and one ANPEC. Perhaps it shouldn't matter, but the two G.Skill kits I've owned didn't exhibit this and I've literally not come across a single person on the internet with this case, and I've looked at way too many DDR5 ASRock Timing Configurator screenshots.

The first Lancer RGB kit I owned had totally non-sequential serial sticker S/Ns, and although my current kit does have sequential S/Ns according to their respective serial stickers, I've come to find that CPU-Z is again reporting a HUGE discrepancy in SPD serial numbers. That along with the mixed PMIC thing again makes me think this is still not a legit matched kit.

Someone on OCN suggested that perhaps Adata have been repurposing kits and essentially mixing DIMMs after repackaging them. Definitely possible, but would really really suck to hear that. I would also add them to my don't-purchase list to join the likes of G.SKILL, Gigabyte, and Raidmax. I'd be willing to take a screenshot on CPU-Z to kinda show you guys what I mean but I'm not sure if sharing my product S/Ns publicly would be a good idea.

If anyone would be willing to check the SPD on their two DDR5 DIMMs via CPU-Z it would be much appreciated. I've since emailed ADATA to get an answer.

I read a thread on reddit some time back with a blacklist of vendors that do this. Mixing ICs

It was for DDR4 but if they are willing to do it with DDR4 they will do it with DDR5 as well - go have a look there, maybe you'll find that thread
I had a Kingston kit give me shit when I used 4 DIMMs. It would refuse to run at anything except DDR4-2133 - it was a DDR4-3600 kit by the way

Will let someone with DDR5 chime in

 

[dainluke]

I read a thread on reddit some time back with a blacklist of vendors that do this. Mixing IMs

It was for DDR4 but if they are willing to do it with DDR4 they will do it with DDR5 as well - go have a look there, maybe you'll find that thread
I had a Kingston kit give me shit when I used 4 DIMMs. It would refuse to run at anything except DDR4-2133 - it was a DDR4-3600 kit by the way

Will let someone with DDR5 chime in

Gosh darn it 😖. Why do vendors pull this crap? The thing is, both kits used Samsung ICs across both DIMMs (likely because Hynix chips are reserved for higher-end higher-speed bins), but the PMICs being different kinda gives it away. I literally haven't seen a single kit online with this phenomenon.

 

[TollieKop]

Gosh darn it 😖. Why do vendors pull this crap? The thing is, both kits used Samsung ICs across both DIMMs (likely because Hynix chips are reserved for higher-end higher-speed bins), but the PMICs being different kinda gives it away. I literally haven't seen a single kit online with this phenomenon.

Cost savings at the expense of the buyer

This also pisses me off. Anytime something happens in tech, WE THE CONSUMERS, have to bear the losses
They don't give a F about the customers

 

[Oj0]

Oh boy, this is not a rabbit hole you want to go down. You won't like the results.

RAM isn't "made" to be sold as an individual module/kit of two/kit of four. A kit is two or four random modules that are certified to work together at XMP speed. Some vendors, such as Corsair, use stickers that (normally) have sequential serial numbers, but once you start looking at SPD serial numbers you'll find that two sequential modules is about a 50/50 chance. All brands are guilty of this, including Corsair.

 

[dainluke]

Oh boy, this is not a rabbit hole you want to go down. You won't like the results.

RAM isn't "made" to be sold as an individual module/kit of two/kit of four. A kit is two or four random modules that are certified to work together at XMP speed. Some vendors, such as Corsair, use stickers that (normally) have sequential serial numbers, but once you start looking at SPD serial numbers you'll find that two sequential modules is about a 50/50 chance. All brands are guilty of this, including Corsair.

Eish, that kinda explains it then. The PMIC thing still gets to me though. I've looked at at least 50 different ASRock Timing Configurator screenshots and so many YT videos. Not a single time did I ever see a mixture of Richtek and ANPEC PMICs, and somehow I observe it from two ADATA kits bought in ZA. Just so weird. There was a guy I found online with the same kit, and also with Samsung chips. and he had double ANPEC.

 

[TollieKop]

Oh boy, this is not a rabbit hole you want to go down. You won't like the results.

RAM isn't "made" to be sold as an individual module/kit of two/kit of four. A kit is two or four random modules that are certified to work together at XMP speed. Some vendors, such as Corsair, use stickers that (normally) have sequential serial numbers, but once you start looking at SPD serial numbers you'll find that two sequential modules is about a 50/50 chance. All brands are guilty of this, including Corsair.

I thought the Corsair was due to me buying the same model, but different kit

So it's actually due to the mixing?
Good to know - in the future I will only buy kits of 2 or 4 DIMMs, depending on what I want to settle with

 

[ThatGuyJD]

Eish, that kinda explains it then. The PMIC thing still gets to me though. I've looked at at least 50 different ASRock Timing Configurator screenshots and so many YT videos. Not a single time did I ever see a mixture of Richtek and ANPEC PMICs, and somehow I observe it from two ADATA kits bought in ZA. Just so weird. There was a guy I found online with the same kit, and also with Samsung chips. and he had double ANPEC.

Could it be the distro messing things up on their end. Unpacking to warranty the sticks and then messing it up when packing up.

 

[dainluke]

I thought the Corsair was due to me buying the same model, but different kit

So it's actually due to the mixing?
Good to know - in the future I will only buy kits of 2 or 4 DIMMs, depending on what I want to settle with

So generally, it's not usually a total sin for vendors to select different ICs for a matched kit. It's kinda understandable that they can't promise you a particular IC for a kit you buy, but the IC is supposed to hit your rated speed bin regardless. Where it gets weird is when stuff like S/Ns on the SPD are far apart, or even worse such as with my one RMA where the two physical sticks had totally different S/Ns on the actual serial sticker (not the digital SPD Hub readout). And then that continues to different PMICs. Different PMICs to me suggests the sticks on both of my kits that I owned came from different assembly lines entirely.

 

[dainluke]

Could it be the distro messing things up on their end. Unpacking to warranty the sticks and then messing it up when packing up.

That's what we theorised when RockinIT sorted out my initial RMA (totally different physical serial stickers), but this current kit has sequential S/Ns (Frontosa made sure, and I checked upon delivery). Just so weird.

 

[Oj0]

Eish, that kinda explains it then. The PMIC thing still gets to me though. I've looked at at least 50 different ASRock Timing Configurator screenshots and so many YT videos. Not a single time did I ever see a mixture of Richtek and ANPEC PMICs, and somehow I observe it from two kits bought in ZA. Just so weird.

Perhaps yours was early stock. Last year, ADATA (and plenty others - offhand I can't think of anyone who DIDN'T do this except maybe Crucial, and even then who knows) were packaging internal engineering samples for retail as there simply wasn't anything else available. There's nothing WRONG with that as such, they go through the same (actually, maybe far more vigorous) certification process.

Hell, the shortage towards the end of last year and early this year was so bad that vendors were sending out press releases for RAM that wasn't even in manufacturing yet.

Things have eased up drastically since, and I think you'll more likely to get matched PMICs going forward.

I thought the Corsair was due to me buying the same model, but different kit

So it's actually due to the mixing?
Good to know - in the future I will only buy kits of 2 or 4 DIMMs, depending on what I want to settle with

Well whether you go for a kit or individual modules, the end result is pretty much the same. The chances of getting two modules that DON'T work together at XMP speed are slim to none.

 

[ThatGuyJD]

That's what we theorised when RockinIT sorted out my initial RMA (totally different physical serial stickers), but this current kit has sequential S/Ns (Frontosa made sure, and I checked upon delivery). Just so weird.

They're out to get you, don't ask me who they is, but they are.

 

[dainluke]

They're out to get you, don't ask me who they is, but they are.

I don't put that out of the question by this point.

 

[Oj0]

the two physical sticks had totally different S/Ns on the actual serial sticker

Individual modules selling poorly? Package two as a kit. Kits selling poorly? Break them apart and sell as individual modules. It happens all the time. Things get re-purposed so often that Corsair has dropped the speed rating and in some cases even the capacity on some of their packaging.

I covered a bit of it in this post:

https://carbonite.co.za/index.php?threads/multiple-queries-website-legitimacy-and-product-query.416084/post-2748122

 

[Rowen82]

I have a Kit of Gskillz 2x16GB 5600Mhz which i am going to use for my build in the next 2 weeks then i can let you know what PMIC is on those is.I got my Kit in Jan when there was a a real shortage of ram so i grabbed a kit from Wootware instead of the Single kits thats was at one of the local ditros.

Just had not time to rebuild my Rig due to work being so crazy.
Those where Adata DDR5 4800mhz ones without heatsinks also from that local distro and they had some single kits Kingston DDR5 4800MHZ.i know guys where desperate to get ram so they where doing builds with 2x single kit sticks.

I also decided not to use the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master mobo cause i managed to get my hands on a Asus Apex Z690 mobo at a fairly good price including all import and shipping cost.And never had shit with Asus boards in the Past 6-8 years to be honest.

But i am thinking of Replacing the 2x16GB kit i have for a 2x32Gb kit. not sure if i stick with Gskillz or Go the Corsair root Like you all my other Gear is Corsair.

What speeds did you managed to oc on your previous kits. Also have you tried benching those kits beyond 1.5v to 1.6V at all?

 

[dainluke]

I have a Kit of Gskillz 2x16GB 5600Mhz which i am going to use for my build in the next 2 weeks then i can let you know what PMIC is on those is.I got my Kit in Jan when there was a a real shortage of ram so i grabbed a kit from Wootware instead of the Single kits thats was at one of the local ditros.

Just had not time to rebuild my Rig due to work being so crazy.
Those where Adata DDR5 4800mhz ones without heatsinks also from that local distro and they had some single kits Kingston DDR5 4800MHZ.i know guys where desperate to get ram so they where doing builds with 2x single kit sticks.

I also decided not to use the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master mobo cause i managed to get my hands on a Asus Apex Z690 mobo at a fairly good price including all import and shipping cost.And never had shit with Asus boards in the Past 6-8 years to be honest.

But i am thinking of Replacing the 2x16GB kit i have for a 2x32Gb kit. not sure if i stick with Gskillz or Go the Corsair root Like you all my other Gear is Corsair.

What speeds did you managed to oc on your previous kits. Also have you tried benching those kits beyond 1.5v to 1.6V at all?

Samsung vs Hynix is a significant difference in access latency voltage scaling (data rate/CAS), but Samsung sticks use a different way of accessing data and perform better cycle for cycle. I have a 6200 30-35-35 1.5V OC, but beyond that will require liquid cooling. Apex's have been a toss up, not to scare you.

 

[TollieKop]

Samsung vs Hynix is a significant difference in access latency voltage scaling (data rate/CAS), but Samsung sticks use a different way of accessing data and perform better cycle for cycle. I have a 6200 30-35-35 1.5V OC, but beyond that will require liquid cooling. Apex's have been a toss up, not to scare you.

That's a damn good OC compared to what you had initially

 

[dainluke]

That's a damn good OC compared to what you had initially

The initial Z5 kit was busted. The kit I grabbed with the store credit was good until it died. This current Adata kit is somewhat mediocre for Samsung ICs. Not horrible but not great.

 

[TollieKop]

The initial Z5 kit was busted. The kit I grabbed with the store credit was good until it died. This current Adata kit is somewhat mediocre for Samsung ICs. Not horrible but not great.

Haha you're such an overacheiver

 

[dainluke]

Haha you're such an overacheiver

You should check OCN. A decent D5 kit can easily OC to 6600-7600 given a board that can train and maintain signal at that data rate. I booted 6600 and 6800 a few times on my old board with the second Z5 kit. I really wish that kit hadn't died. Still can't believe it happened.

 

[TollieKop]

You should check OCN. A decent D5 kit can easily OC to 6600-7600 given a board that can train and maintain signal at that data rate. I booted 6600 and 6800 a few times on my old board with the second Z5 kit. I really wish that kit hadn't died. Still can't believe it happened.

Will check it out

I thought you meant this dude:

Actually Hardcore Overclocking

www.youtube.com

^ This mofo achieves the most insane clocks - I don't know where he buys his muti cos if you attempt his clocks you'd probably end up with sad crying emojis in a week
"Guys please help - my system is refusing to boot after a week of use"

 

[dainluke]

Will check it out

I thought you meant this dude:

Actually Hardcore Overclocking

www.youtube.com

^ This mofo achieves the most insane clocks - I don't know where he buys his muti cos if you attempt his clocks you'd probably end up with sad crying emojis in a week
"Guys please help - my system is refusing to boot after a week of use"

He achieves fairly good clocks, but not really that difficult to achieve if you have a decent bin of RAM/CPU and adequate cooling. OCing is very easy, especially with D5.

 

[Rowen82]

I am okay if i can get a good 6400-6600 maybe 6800.
the Asus itx board is about the best along side the msi if you looking to do ram ocing.

I am more for cpu ocing hence why i chose the Apex.

I would like to actual puchase the MSI Unify X and the Meg Ace to actual play around with is seems to be a good around ocing mobos.

I wont touch the Asus hero Z690 after that issue and recall of those boards due to the one IC put in the wrong direction causng the sticks to burn out ,some boards catching fire and burning holes right through the board.

I would love to test that Maximus Z690 Extreme Glacial but i am not spending over 40K on a mobo already spent like 18K on my threadripper board when it first came out .

The older EK kits for Ram water cooling wont fit and so far it seems like Thermaltake and Bitspower only has some watercooling kits for ddr5, i would not touch thermaltake crap even if it was for free.

these are the DDR5 waterblock Kits i will be ordering . This guy makes some reall good gear.
all his stuff is cut and milled perfectly.

Custom RAM copper heatsinks for DDR5 / DDR4 - Bartxstore

Custom made copper RAM heatsinks for memory extreme overclocking using dry ice or LN2. Designed for DDR4 and DDR5 memory

bartxstore.com

i am going delid my 12900K want see if one could get a direct die waterblock.

There is some Guy from Thailand that selling custom direct die waterblocks fir 12 Gen but it seems a bit sketchy buying from him.

Supercool Computers Direct-Die waterblock and delid tool for Intel Alder Lake Review| Intel Core i9-12900K in Pain | igor´sLAB

Ever smaller manufacturing processes lead to ever higher thermal densities in CPUs and GPUs. This is one of the reasons why Intel’s new Alder Lake CPUs run so hot that every air cooler almost has no…

www.igorslab.de

 

[ThatGuyJD]

I am okay if i can get a good 6400-6600 maybe 6800.
the Asus itx board is about the best along side the msi if you looking to do ram ocing.

I am more for cpu ocing hence why i chose the Apex.

I would like to actual puchase the MSI Unify X and the Meg Ace to actual play around with is seems to be a good around ocing mobos.

I wont touch the Asus hero Z690 after that issue and recall of those boards due to the one IC put in the wrong direction causng the sticks to burn out ,some boards catching fire and burning holes right through the board.

I would love to test that Maximus Z690 Extreme Glacial but i am not spending over 40K on a mobo already spent like 18K on my threadripper board when it first came out .

The older EK kits for Ram water cooling wont fit and so far it seems like Thermaltake and Bitspower only has some watercooling kits for ddr5, i would not touch thermaltake crap even if it was for free.

these are the DDR5 waterblock Kits i will be ordering . This guy makes some reall good gear.
all his stuff is cut and milled perfectly.

Custom RAM copper heatsinks for DDR5 / DDR4 - Bartxstore

Custom made copper RAM heatsinks for memory extreme overclocking using dry ice or LN2. Designed for DDR4 and DDR5 memory

bartxstore.com

i am going delid my 12900K want see if one could get a direct die waterblock.

There is some Guy from Thailand that selling custom direct die waterblocks fir 12 Gen but it seems a bit sketchy buying from him.

Supercool Computers Direct-Die waterblock and delid tool for Intel Alder Lake Review| Intel Core i9-12900K in Pain | igor´sLAB

Ever smaller manufacturing processes lead to ever higher thermal densities in CPUs and GPUs. This is one of the reasons why Intel’s new Alder Lake CPUs run so hot that every air cooler almost has no…

www.igorslab.de

Bart is amazing, his store has a lot of cool goodies, pun intended.

Supercool ("guy from Thailand") has an igorslab review of the product, doesn't feel that sketchy considering...

EK is in development for their own Direct-die cooling.

Would contest that the Itx boards are best for mem OC considering that both 5GH+ WRs were set using the XOC boards which are just better for all types of OC in general.