Notebook doesn't recognize the Timing from Manufacturer Specification

I bought 2 OCZ RAM that according to the specification, has memory timing 5-5-5-15. But CPU-Z indicates that the real timing is 5-5-5-18.

System:
Sony FW190CTO
Core 2 Duo T9600 2.8 GHz
2x2GB RAM
Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset

How come my notebook doesn't recognize the timing from the specification?

 

Well, you either got the wrong memory modules or the timings are edited/faulty on those modules that you have.

What CPU-Z recognizes is what the memory modules has programmed into the modules. So i see nothing wrong at all!
As the BIOS will read the modules different cas latency's according to what speed it will run, so your BIOS see's 5-5-5-18 at 400/800Mhz and then sets that timing and runs it. So you module definately have 5-5-5-18 programed at that speed.

Anyhow 15 or 18 on Cycle Time isn't noticeable at all. You wouldn't even notice if it was 12 instead of 18 blindtested or in benchmarks. Other than it's just a number in the timing table of the memory modules SPD

 

It is not programmed right in the SPD. You can download the OCZ SPD tool and see what you can do with it. Though IMO it is not worth the trouble.

 

Before editing that in the SPD, be sure that they run stable at 5-5-5-15. There may be a reason that your sticks has 5-5-5-18 and not ...-15.

Though i wouldn't risk editing the SPD just for getting 15 instead of 18.

 

I bought the right module. The part number is correct, OCZ2M8002G. That matches the one in the website.

OCZ SPD Tool seems to be a rather old tool. The one I could find is from 2007 so I don't think I would want to flash my RAM with a software that has not been updated for a while.

I feel like I am being cheated by OCZ and newegg. This module is quite a bit more expensive than other RAM from the same class. I am willing to spend more because of the timing. Newegg policy says no return or exchange with the same item only. That sucks

 

Timings are pretty much a marketing gimmick. They pretty much have no noticeable effect in any application except benchmarks. It kinda sucks that you didn't get what you were expecting, but even if it were -15 instead of -18, the only difference is the number. Just look at it as a sunk cost, don't fret about it - if it really bothers you, then eBay it.

 

Well, if you bought these modules just because it had -15 instead of -18 then... umm.. I don't know if you really know what you're paying for.

If it'd have 4 in the beginning instead of 5, i'd understand if you spent more. But for -15 instead of -18, c'mon.

The first thing you should look at when buying modules are
lifetime warranty
cheapest you could get (no manufacturer before any other, as ocz for example doesn't even use their own chips, kingston, ocz, corsair, crucial and g.skill + some more uses the same exact chips on them).

So the only thing you really is paying for, when you buy the more expensive ram is the manufacturer logo, nothing else. But now you know that!