What's the deal with Corsair Vengeance memory?

[ParadoX]

I have been studying forum posts here for a while. One thing that springs out when I look at user part lists is that Corsair Venegance memory modules are the focal point of most memory issues. Instability, can't overclock higher than rated speeds etc. So what's the dig with this stuff, is it that it's cheaper than other memory or are Corsair packaging any old IC in this range of kits?

[chrsplmr]

I agree... have pointed this out..and funny, its on the QVL -- and 'some' GSkill....tooooooooo.. no idea.

I use Dominator GT..... never an issue... not on the QVL..
but.... i love but..... it is what Chew used to Smash the World Record with the CrossHair V.
and JJ's V overclocking video......1866 Dom GT..... not on the QVL.. hehe... did I mention that? again?

Are you having issues? What flavor U ROG'n?

[DaemonCantor]

Yes for years I've noticed that the entire line of Corsair Memory fall's far short of standard. Over the years I've learned by trial and error mostly to stay away from Certain Manufacturers like MSI, Corsair, Intel... LOL. I personally like the Patriot lines and no there not on the QVL list as far as I know but they are the same people who make a lot of different company's branded modules including PNY and AMD as well as their own lines.

[MarshallR@ASUS]

Well rated speeds are rated speeds. If you want faster you buy faster - they bin the chips to do the speeds they do. IF you get lucky and Corsair had an excess of supply of good chips at the time of manufacture then you'll get some free overhead, but it's never a given.

AFAIK we QVL as much as we can, but the chips and product lines change so frequently it's an impossible task to keep up to date. Then different BIOS' might change the interface with the memory slightly - so many variables.

[xeromist]

Here is the Corsair Ramguy's comment:

Vengeance modules are made for and tested on Intel Sandy Bridge chipsets and yes the cost of high density memory IC has dropped dramatically in the lest 6 months, however, not all chipsets will support high density memory like what is used on our vengeance modules. They will run at DDR1600 at 1.5 Volts on most MB's but when used on other Chipsets (Other than Intel Sandy Bridge) the memory voltage may need to be 1.6 Volts or higher to run stable.
So bottom line XMS, Dominator Vs Vengeance is like apple to oranges no way to compare really. And you should go by the memory confirurator for your specific MB.

http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=95332

So it sounds like those modules really aren't intended for most builds but people buy them for everything because they are often cheaper than Dom's and have good timings.

[Raja@ASUS]

What Yellowbeard says is true. The SNB IMC is the strongest, so if that memory controller was used to bin these kits, then architectures with weaker controllers will need elevated voltage levels to run the kits fully stable. Always wise to search forums and ask before making purchases.


In terms of how many support queries I get from each vendor, here's the honest breakdown (and I suspect volume and price plays a huge part):

1) Vengeance ( factors in over 70% of my instability queries). Mostly people trying to run this DRAM on AMD CPUs. Some also buying two kits on Sandybridge architectures to run all slots and expecting the kits to run at rated timings (not gonna happen without adjustments) as the overhead in these kits is not large at all.

2) GSkill Ripjaws (1333-1600 kits), get some issues on AMD where people use all banks populated and don't increase CPU/NB voltage or relax any memory timings.

Other than that, I don't see much from any other brand. I suspect some of this has to do with the fact that cheaper ICs are used at times in these kits (Nanya perhaps?). Memory vendors SHOULD allow at least 10% overhead on kits to ensure compatibility due to the drift in memory controller abilities - especially on high density kits that use capacitive ICs (generally cheaper ICs are more of a capacitive load). This is less about people expecting free overclocking overhead and more about having sufficient margin in the bin to account for variance. When something is mass produced and binned to the hilt, it can be a recipe for issues.



The rest comes down to users expecting X=Y on every CPU architecture which it sadly does not.

-Raja

[MarshallR@ASUS]

Sounds like it's time for another guide!

/Plays the writing music.

[Thomas@Asus]

In my experience I have known Corsair Vengeance to be the most problematic DRAM modules, more so from a compatibility standpoint.

Now obviously there are other factors to consider, for example as they are well priced they do sell very well thus naturally you will hear of more support issues due to the amount being used. Also as they are cheap you cant expect them to use the highest quality components.

As previously mentioned I suggest buying DRAM as listed on our QVL list to be safe!

Personally I am a Kingston man myself

[HiVizMan]

I have used Corsair most successfully in the X58 platform and really loved my Hypers. SB came along and the whole process making sense of a platform evolved and ram has evolved in line with those changes too. I can not help wonder if Corsair have traded on their successes of years past and cashed in. The vengeance stuff I have used did not clock well and some of the kits struggled to even post at XMP on a motherboard from the Corsair QVL list. Geil and Muskin have been 10 for 10 and some of the budget GSkill stuff did amazing things on AMD platforms for me. A75 chipset especially.

But lets not hate on Corsair - if folks were buying the right kits for their platform then I think many of the compatibility errors would not be present. Thing is the perception is that DDR3 should just work with all platforms and brands, I mean ram is ram right?? Well not actually. The only common denominator is the fact that a DDR3 chip is used. There are other factors that will determine the suitability of a set of ram for a specific platform. Just how that works is beyond my technical nous right at this moment but having close to a 100GB or DDR3 ram on my test bench from all vendors and comprising different chips has provided some insight as to what works and what does not. But only some

[mbart79]

Well this confuses me now. Was about to buy 2 of these kits for my G74sx.

http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-8gb...m2a1600c9.html