Does RAM have to be on the qualified vendor list?

jake2332

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Sep 2, 2015
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Someone suggested if I buy ram to get it from the qualified vendor list for my motherboard. I want to know if it's required.

The QVL for my motherboard: http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-ma790x-ud4p.pdf

This RAM is on the QVL at 120$ for 4 sticks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-4GB-2-x-2GB-240-Pin-DDR2-SDRAM-DDR2-800-PC2-6400-Dual-Channel-Kit-/381043286784?hash=item58b7f32300

But I found this ram instead and I was going to buy 4 sticks of it because it's only 89$ for 4 sticks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207&cm_re=4GB_ddr2-_-20-231-207-_-Product
 
no you do not. The qualified list just means that your motherboard has been tested with and confirmed to work with said RAM. You shouldn't have trouble with non list RAM but if you do have RAM trouble it is far more likely to happen to ones that are not on the list.

Personally I always buy from the list just to be safe.