Linus Tech Tips Discussion

 RAM company announces kits with "filler sticks" amidst shortage Summary Memory vendor V-COLOR has launched several "1+1 Value Pack" memory kits under its Manta name, consisting of one real stick of DDR5 memory and one stick with only RGB and a heat spreader - no NAND chips soldered. The 16GB DDR5-6400 XSky series will be first to launch, with a 24GB XFinity stick also planned. V-COLOR says these kits will uphold the aesthetics of a multi-stick RGB RAM setup for builders unable to afford two sticks of high-performance memory. Press releases from the company also showcase theoretical setups with 1 functioning stick and 3 fillers in a 4-slot setup, though such kits have not yet been announced.    Quotes Quote "V-COLOR describes the product as a more flexible way to enter the DDR5 platform, especially for Ryzen users who want lower upfront cost and an easier upgrade path." Source: VideoCardz.com   My thoughts RGB filler sticks are nothing new, but as a few articles have mentioned, this is the first case of filler sticks being sold as a kit along with a real RAM stick. It's certainly an interesting way to capitalize on the current ridiculous DDR5 prices, and it makes a whole lot of sense for the manufacturers too. If you have thousands of complete PCBs with LEDs and heatspreaders lying around waiting for a dwindling supply of DDR5 chips to be soldered to them, why not just sell some of those modules without the chips?    Sources RAM kits are now sold with one fake RAM stick alongside a real one to create a performance illusion — 1+1 'value pack' offers desperate psychological relief as the memory shortage worsens | Tom's Hardware V-COLOR to launch 1+1 DDR5 memory kits with fillers, you can now fake it until RAMapocalypse ends - VideoCardz.com