The difference between premium and generic memory
When evaluating different memory companies, you'll likely encounter a wide range of vendors, brands, and price points. On first glance, it can be hard to tell the difference between one type of memory and the next, but it's important to be aware of the difference between premium and generic memory so that you can select the right type of memory for your system. Here's the difference between generic and premium memory.
| Premium memory | Generic memory |
|---|---|
| All modules undergo component, module, and functional testing | Often made from remanufactured parts that have failed rigorous quality control standards but that have passed qualification at lower speeds |
| All modules are tested before, during, and after production to ensure they meet published performance and compatibility specs | Components from different manufacturers and test processes are often assembled together, creating an unknown level of reliability |
| Components are generally sourced from the same manufacturer | Components and/or PCB are often manufactured by subcontractors that don’t meet optimal standards of component and module testing |
| Assembled modules are fully tested | Assembled modules are often only tested in motherboards and are more prone to marginal performance or failure |
| Considered Tier I, or premium-quality memory | Considered Tier II, or generic memory |
Since Crucial is a brand of Micron, one of the largest memory manufacturers in the world, we only sell premium memory. All of our modules are JEDEC-compliant and are manufactured to exacting standards. While our memory may be slightly more expensive than other companies, the quality of our modules is never compromised – and for good reason. The reliability of your system’s performance is important, and that starts with the reliability of your memory. When you choose Crucial memory, you’re choosing memory that’s been thoroughly tested and approved. Don’t settle for anything less.