I bought two RAM sticks from a marketplace and expected them to match the modules already installed in my PC. My original sticks list SK hynix as the DRAM manufacturer in CPU-Z, while the new sticks list Kingston. Could this difference simply be normal, or does it suggest the new RAM is counterfeit or mislabeled?
2 Answers
There are some reasons to be suspicious here. Kingston-branded memory normally identifies Kingston as the module manufacturer, not necessarily as the company that made the chips. If the serial number or model information corresponds to an older DDR3 product while the physical stick is supposed to be DDR4, the SPD data may have been altered or the module may be counterfeit. Compare the PCB, label, notch position, and complete part number with official specifications before trusting it.
A different entry in CPU-Z does not automatically mean the RAM is fake. Memory-module brands can use chips from different suppliers, and Kingston is a legitimate module manufacturer even though it generally does not fabricate the DRAM chips itself. Check the exact part number, capacity, rated speed, timings, and voltage against the label and SPD data. You can also run MemTest86 or another memory test to check stability.
The module is definitely DDR4 physically, since a DDR3 stick would not fit or work in the DDR4 slot. I’ll verify the part number and test both sticks rather than relying only on the manufacturer field.