G.Skill RipJaws V Memory Sticks Must Be ‘Overclocked’ to Achieve Advertised Speeds, Class Action Claims

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A proposed class action alleges G.Skill USA has falsely advertised its RipJaws V DDR4-3600 MHz plug-in computer memory sticks in that they can only achieve the promised “[b]lazing [f]ast” transfer speeds if their firmware is “overclocked,” which requires additional power and can reportedly compromise the stability of a user’s computer.

The 13-page suit says that although versions of the RipJaws V are advertised as capable of achieving speeds of 3600 MHz or 4000 MHz, this can only be accomplished by adjusting the device’s basic input/output system (BIOS) or unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) settings, which control how a computer operates and can only be accessed through specialized keyboard controls. 

From there, a user must then locate their computer’s RAM frequency settings, increase its MHz speed to the advertised target speed of 3600 or 4000 MHz, and change multiple memory “timing” settings, the case states. Overall, the lawsuit alleges the advertised speeds “are not always reached” due to “issues beyond the user’s control or knowledge,” including “the combination of other computer components” such as processors and motherboard.  

Moreover, changing the required settings to achieve the RipJaws V’s advertised speed can damage a computer or the memory stick itself, according to the suit. 

“To operate RAM at higher speeds requires additional power, which can increase the voltage settings,” the filing states. “The result is that stability of the system is compromised, causing crashes or glitches, overheated system components, faster degradation of critical components, and damage to the memory sticks themselves.” 

The suit contends that G.Skill’s marketing of the RipJaws V is false given purchasers are not informed that the advertised speeds are not attainable “out-of-the-box” without significant modifications. 

Moreover, the case alleges G.Skill has failed to honor the lifetime warranty that the RipJaws V comes with. 

“Reasonable consumers must and do rely on a company to honestly and lawfully market and describe the components, attributes, and features of a product, relative to itself and other comparable products or alternatives,” the lawsuit argues. “The value of the Product that Plaintiff purchased was materially less than its value as represented by Defendant.” 

The lawsuit looks to cover all consumers in New York, Arkansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, West Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Alaska and Montana who bought G.Skill’s RipJaws V computer memory sticks within the applicable statute of limitations period. 

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