Hardware

I found a White Paper on the HP web site titled "Why Buy HP Memory" dated March '99

http://h200005.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/lpn12759/lpn12759.pdf

(remove any embedded spaces from the URL)

After reading HP's argument, I personnally don't believe it justifies the price, especially when upgrading a server that is essentially obsolete.

Using third-party memory will not void the server's warranty (if it still has a valid one), although HP will not provide support or warranty fixes for problems caused by non-HP parts.

Therefore, I think you need to ask a few questions:
1. What warranty is available for the third-party memory? Many vendors offer lifetime warranties for a small price premium
2. Is their still awarranty in force on the server? not likely.
3. What is the criticality of the server? This has more to do with troubleshooting if problems do arise with non-HP parts.
4. How much longer will this server be in service? This server is essentially obsolete. For roughly $2,000, your client could get a NEW HP server that is many more times as capable/ powerful as his current server.
5. How much money does the client have to spend? May be the ultimate determining factor!

The ultimate choice of which way to go should be the client's. You can best do your job by putting forth the options and the pros and cons of each option.

If it was me, I would recommend the third-aprty memory. You could replace faulty third-party memory almost 10 times before approaching the price of OEM replacement from HP.

Or alternately, tell the client that for another $500-1000 over the cost of the HP memory, he could get a brand new server that is 10 times as powerful as his present one (depending on the exisitng server's configuration, of course).

I would check and see what Crucial has to offer.

While I have had problems with "no-name" generic memory, I have never had any problems with Crucial or the other name brands.

Chas

I know alort of people will disgaree with me on this however ram is ram.. if it does what it is supposed to their will be no issues. Buying crucial simply gives you a a longer warranty.. no performance increase or peace of mind. Infact crucial have been having issues with alot of their more recent batches. I would just buy the generic ECC. I use generic ram in all my systems i have made and I havent had 1 problem so far.

if kingston has memory that they say will work with HP there usually right i work at an HP plotter company and we use kingston memory even though hp says only use theirs we only had one problem with memory and kingston helped us fix it

If this was my own computer, I would risk it. If it was a client, I would not. If something were to go wrong, you would be responsible. That's the cost of doing business.

Have you priced this memory at major suppliers like CDW?
CDW carriesgenuine HP memory and the prices looked more reasonable than what you mentioned. I can't be sure it was exactly what you needed because I didn't have the part number. Do a little searching. Have the HP part number handy so you can verify compatabilty.