Fake DDR5 memory kits now on sale starting at $43 — V-Color sells 0GB dummy modules and single-stick memory kits with a fake stick for $300

V-Color 1+1 DDR5 Value Pack
(Image credit: V-Color)

Earlier this year, V-Color announced its 1+1 DDR5 filler memory kits to help suspend disbelief and offer psychological salvation against rising memory prices. These kits mix real DDR5 sticks with dummy modules that don't actually have any RAM inside — just working RGB — to give you the illusion of a fully-slotted motherboard. Today, the kit is finally available to buy in the UK and Europe, with just the filler sticks on their own also listed for sale in North America.

V-Color has two different DDR5 products: Manta XSky and Manta XFinity, the latter being the higher-end model. The 1+1 kit is only available for the Manta XSky variant and only in the UK and Germany; not yet in the US. The 0GB kits (where both sticks are dummies) are available in both the Manta XSky and XFinity models across multiple regions. Pricing starts from $43 and goes up to almost $300, so let's break it all down.

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Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

  • Trake_17
    Is today April 1st?
    Reply
  • James_1976
    Amazons Corsair store kindly sent me 2 RAM look a like RGB lighting sticks when I ordered 96GB of DDR5 at the end of last year, I spent spent a week trying to figure out why I couldn't get the BIOS to post until it dawned on me :cautious:
    Reply
  • recycledelectrons
    These fake-DIMMs are not for looks.

    These fake-DIMMs are to help scammers commit fraud. Many PC buyers look for dual-channel RAM. Very few of them look at the BIOS or run CPU-Z.

    Anything fake should be illegal.
    Reply
  • slidai
    I got 64GB (4x16GB) of Corsair memory back in June of last year. After looking at things, I realized I never got close to 30GB used, let alone 64GB. So, I retuned one set of ram. I didn't use the computer for a while and when I started using it a lot more often months later, the missing ram sticks really rubbed up against my OCD. But, by then, it wasn't worth it to buy another set just to fill the gaps since prices has already jumped. I would totally buy a legit set of Corsair ram just to have the RGB fully populated, but I can understand how having such a product would make it easier for scammers.
    Reply
  • ejolson
    While two 8GB DIMMs may have a performance advantage over one 16GB DIMM, the latter can be easily expanded to 32GB when prices stabilise. For this reason, I see one 16GB DIMM paired with a lighting module more as future proofing than a scam. At the same time, I don't understand the aesthetics at all.

    The wires on an ATX power supply used to be red, yellow, orange, grey, green, blue, purple, white and black to indicate voltage and function. Back then one did not need additional RGB lights, because the wires were already so brightly coloured.
    Reply
  • MobileJAD
    I was going to come over here at first just to be snarky or sarcastic about how bad the ram situation has become.
    But I didn't realize at first just how this could mislead someone with buying a PC.
    You could find a deal for a whole gaming PC in one of your local listings and see photos of the PC featuring all memory slots filled with RGB and think it comes with four pieces of RAM.
    Now if the gaming PC is listed as coming with just 8GB of RAM, but all 4 slots appear to be filled, then something seems fishy going on.
    But if the PC is listed as 16GB or more of RAM, then you would believe the system has 4 pieces of RAM installed.
    Now if the system comes with just 1 single piece of 32GB DDR4 or DDR5 RAM, that would be pretty nice, you'd be running at single channel mode only, but having a 32GB memory module would be really nice for upgrading down the road. One can hope and pray that finding affordable 32GB memory modules down the road would actually become a reality though, someday... Hopefully.
    Reply
  • LordVile
    ejolson said:
    While two 8GB DIMMs may have a performance advantage over one 16GB DIMM, the latter can be easily expanded to 32GB when prices stabilise. For this reason, I see one 16GB DIMM paired with a lighting module more as future proofing than a scam. At the same time, I don't understand the aesthetics at all.

    The wires on an ATX power supply used to be red, yellow, orange, grey, green, blue, purple, white and black to indicate voltage and function. Back then one did not need additional RGB lights, because the wires were already so brightly coloured.
    How is it future proofing? Mix and match is never guaranteed to work and you’re just using a dummy stick for aesthetic.
    Reply
  • Dementoss
    Trake_17 said:
    Is today April 1st?
    Dummy memory modules have been around for some years, they are not a new thing.
    Reply
  • Mathrawkee
    "Fake DDR5 memory kits now on sale"

    This is quite the dog whistle, innit? Do you yell "fire!" in crowded theaters, too? 🤔
    These have been out for years. Like, DDR4 has them too...
    "How far are you willing to go for aesthetics?"
    The real question is, how far are /you/ willing to go for a nonsense article?
    Reply
  • Trake_17
    Dementoss said:
    Dummy memory modules have been around for some years, they are not a new thing.
    I must be getting old
    Reply