Computer RAM WWYD?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I was having BSOD which I finally, after several months, believe to have pinpointed the problem: bad memory. I purchased memory for my HP Pavilion m7650n from Newegg about 10 months ago at the recommendation of my IT guy. It was Kingston memory, specifically model KVR667D2N5K2 - 2 x 2gb. I ran the Mem Test 86 along with the MS mem test which indicated that one of them was bad. They will replace the 2 x 2gb. After speaking with the tech at Kingston, though they indicated that this RAM was not the appropriate RAM for my computer, indicating that I should have purchased the KTH not the KVR. I asked about a swap for the correct memory, which they will not do. So here in lies my dilemna - what to do. I surely will swap out the bad memory, but I don’t know much about the KVR/KTH difference to know if it really matters. The KVR was working in my computer; I’m not sure at what point one went bad, but none the less, it was ‘working’ - the tech seemed to indicate it would either ‘work’ or ‘not work’. Here are some more details:

I have 4 slots available with a maximum capacity of 8gb RAM.

I also have 2 1gb that came with the computer.

My options:

A. Swap the Kingston bad memory out and replace and combine with the 2x 1g I already have.

B. Swap the Kingston bad memory and buy an additional 2 x 2g memory to go along with it - if so what do I buy? The same KVR? KTH? Other? I don’t know much about compatibility issues here.

C. Buy all new memory - 4 x 2gb. (I will still swap the Kingston to have on hand). If so, what do I get? I don’t know much about type, speed, voltage.

I am tempted to contact Newegg about my issue, but I didn’t use their search tool and it’s been 9 months now, so I’m fairly certain the outcome.

I use my computer daily; work from home using Citrix to login to work. I’m a heavy internet user.

What would you do? Thanks in advance for your input!

2

I would write Kingston and ask them what the difference is between the KVR line and the KTH line. I would ask them if the KVR line is bad for your system, should you expect the new sticks to go bad too?

Then, I’d write to your motherboard manufacturer and ask what they recommend and what specs you should look for when buying RAM.

Then, I’d throw away the new Kingston sticks, go back to Newegg and buy 8gb of Corsair RAM, according to your mobo’s recommendations, because it’s only $50. Seriously, I didn’t realize 8gb was that dirt cheap. I need to pick some up myself.

3

The KTH is just faster ram, ie 800 instead of 667. I wouldnt worry about it, the difference will be measurable but not meaningful, and it should still work fine.

Otara

4

Oh and unless you have a 64 bit system installed, anything over 4gb wont be used anyway.

Otara

5

True.