Bought memory kit from Newegg and the two pieces are touching in the packaging -- should I try it or just get a new one?

I ordered a 2 piece laptop memory kit from Newegg and it arrived with both pieces touching in one of the corners. I can't even dislodge them by shaking the packaging (picture attached). What really troubles me is that the contacts on one piece of memory are touching the other piece. Should I open the package and try it, or should I just contact Newegg and get them to send me a replacement (and will they without my trying it)? Obviously if the memory were individually wrapped it would not be an issue.

Does it matter if it was opened when returning?

I thought they had a special memory policy...especially if it was damaged or DOA.

Yes, try and use them. Just touching each other will not damage them.

I'm really lazy at handling old memory. I put multiple sticks together in a static-free bag all the time, and usually lay them on top of each other when putting in/taking out of a PC. I can say with certainty that just them touching each other isn't going to damage the sticks.

billrubin said:   marsilies said:   I'm really lazy at handling old memory. I put multiple sticks together in a static-free bag all the time, and usually lay them on top of each other when putting in/taking out of a PC. I can say with certainty that just them touching each other isn't going to damage the sticks.Yes, I guess you have a good point, I've used memory that was stored in a bag with other pieces as well.

then what's the issue?

what's the worse that could happen?

...cmon....everybody's doing it

larrymoencurly said:   Also I'm always skeptical of no-name memory chips because they tend to be much worse than prime quality ones. Are those chips marked with the name of a real chip maker, like Hynix, SEC (Samsung), or Micron ("M" with an ellipse around it)? You don't want anything with chips marked "G.Skill" or the Superman "S" (Spectek). But test any memory you decide to keep by running MemTest86/MemTest86+ and then Gold Memory overnight. Accept only zero errors, unlike a certain memory module company that told me it was OK to see up to 2 errors in overnight testing.It does have G.Skill chips. On the other hand, it has 546 reviews and the average review is 5 out of 5, so I am not real concerned about problems (but I will run tests to be sure).

billrubin said:   larrymoencurly said:   Also I'm always skeptical of no-name memory chips because they tend to be much worse than prime quality ones.It does have G.Skill chips. On the other hand, it has 546 reviews and the average review is 5 out of 5, so I am not real concerned about problems (but I will run tests to be sure).It does not have G.Skill chips because G.Skill does not make chips. It has chips that a company like Samsung, Elpida, ProMOS, Nanya, etc. either rejected or shipped out as whole uncut wafers and that were then probably tested to much lower standards with far less sophisticated diagnostic equipment.

I don't pay much attention to positive customer reviews because the vast majority of customers aren't experts or don't test their memory very carefully, and I've seen computers where people swore their memory was good, but it showed errors when I tested it. I don't know what I did to break their memory. Also unless the customer reviews are for memory made of chips from the same batch that you get, the comments are irrelevant.

I've been working inside of computers for about 12 years and I've never used a static bracelet thing when installing or uninstalling chips. I also store multiple chips of the same type in static-free bags and I've NEVER had any problems.

Put them in your machine and try them out. If the are DOA contact Newegg.

meh, it's solid state, it works or it doesn't, your works nuff said

billrubin said:   So, I finally got around to installing the memory. It's fine so far. I ran a couple of passes of the Windows memory test and had no problems. If I get a chance over the weekend I'll try to let it run overnight.At the very least, run the thorough version of that test. Better yet, also run MemTest86/MemTest86+ and Gold Memory. At least do all that if the chips on the modules aren't branded by a big chip company (Samsung, Micron, Hynix, Elpida, etc.)