Model Number Question (DIMMs vs Dual Channel Kits)

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Anonymiter

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I had an interesting issue arise recently. I was helping someone pick out parts for upgrades and they were interested in upgrading from 8GBs of RAM to 16GBs. I told him to see about getting the same Dual Channel Kit as he had bought before, to ensure compatibility.

The problem is he bought it 4+ years ago from Newegg, and they are notorious for "updating" older parts so that the links send you to newer versions. Basically, anything over 3+ years old, I've noticed isn't necessarily listed as the same exact part even when you look at it in your order history.

So the RAM that Newegg said he bought is:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

However, I had him run HWiNFO64 and it reports the Model Number Part as being F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL for an individual DIMM. That would, I assume, mean he has these:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

So what's the deal here? He is positive that he only has 2 DIMMs and they are a total of 8GBs. Do the modules have different model numbers than the kits? Did G.Skill change up their nomenclature? Did HWiNFO just make a goof? Just wanna figure out what the discrepancy is all about.
 
Solution
Tradesman1
Each individual stick is a 4GBRL, a set of two carries the moel number of 8GBRL for the packaged set a 4 stick package is 16GBRL, etc......Also even having the same model is no guarantee of compatibility, sticks in a set are tested to work together, can get 2 sets but that doesn't guarantee they will play nice, even if all 4 were pulled off the assembly line consecutively. Also since he bought his I believe the base specs have also changed think these originallcame with a 1066 default and went to a 1333 default, PCBs, ICs and even the solder used will be coming from different production lots which can affect compatibility also
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Anonymiter

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Nope, he was begrudging enough running HWiNFO for the things we needed to check. I doubt he's interested enough to do anything else. Besides he likely already bought the 8GB kit. I'm just damned curious about it is all. Like... is there something I'm just not aware of and what not.

 
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Ra_V_en

Ra_V_en

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Without actual data from few different sources you can sit all week thinking where is the catch and the answer could simply be "communication error", maybe he provided false numbers without even knowing it.
 
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Anonymiter

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He copy and pasted the line of text, so the communication error would have to be on the part of HWiNFO and not him. As for narrowing down the root cause, I'm not so concerned with that. I'm just curious if someone has experienced this or if this is a known issue that has some other explanation.

i.e. Modules have separate model number from the kits. Newegg/G.Skill use to sell separate sticks as kits. Dual channel kits used to be considered paired single modules rather than a single item. Etc.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Each individual stick is a 4GBRL, a set of two carries the moel number of 8GBRL for the packaged set a 4 stick package is 16GBRL, etc......Also even having the same model is no guarantee of compatibility, sticks in a set are tested to work together, can get 2 sets but that doesn't guarantee they will play nice, even if all 4 were pulled off the assembly line consecutively. Also since he bought his I believe the base specs have also changed think these originallcame with a 1066 default and went to a 1333 default, PCBs, ICs and even the solder used will be coming from different production lots which can affect compatibility also
 
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