RAM Part Numbers - Meaning?

I’m attempting to replace faulty RAM and I am trying to understand the meanings of the label to make correct decision.

I have a 2GB stick of SAMSUNG RAM which appears to have gone bad.

The top line reads:

2GB 1Rx8 PC3-10600U-9-10-A0

The part number reads:

M378B5773CH0-CH9 1051

Doing a number of searches, I ended up finding this site which lists the manufacturers part number as:

M378B5773CH0-CH9 1110

Notice there is a difference my stick has 1051 but that website lists it as 1110.

What is the meaning of the part number, and the last 4 digits?

Is there a significant difference between the 1051 and 1110 that affect the machine?

Solution 1:

Did you try to Google for 'Samsung RAM part number'. The first hit (on my search) lead me to this site (archive), which exactly answers your question. Here is a picture of what's there:

But, as stated by @user2196728 in the comments, part numbers are not the numbers you need to worry about when you're replacing the RAM. The following spec's must be the same for the RAM to work:

• memory type (in your case: DDR3 SDRAM)
• memory speed (in your case: PC-10600, or 1333MHz - see a nice table on Wikipedia how those numbers are linked).

In order to make optimal use of dual channel (generally, it helps a bit) the following specs should be the same:

• chip timings and CAS latency (in your case: CL9)
• memory size (in your case: 2 GB).

When you replace all your memory or you buy a new computer, it is cost efficient to buy a pair of chips from the same manufacturer.

Solution 2:

1051 and 1110 are the time codes when the chips were made: 1051 = week 51 of 2010; 1110 = week 10 of 2011. The format is usually YYWW, where YY is the year and WW is the week within the year.

Solution 3:

Just meeting specs does not mean the RAM will work in your computer. Samsung RAM is used in many HP desktops. Some older HP computers are strict on RAM. They have to have Low density chips on the boards. So, even though you match all the specs, but insert High density RAM on the HP boards, it won't work, you'll just hear beeps.