If you’ve ever bought G.Skill desktop RAM and wondered why it wasn’t really running at the speed on the box, you might be in for some money. G.Skill settled a $2.4 million class action, claiming it advertised memory speeds that didn’t require manual PC configuration.
The case, Hurd, et al. v. G. Skill International Enterprise Co. Ltd.was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. G.Skill has admitted no wrongdoing.
What G.Skill was accused of
The lawsuit alleges that G.Skill advertised DDR4 memory with speeds over 2133 MHz and DDR5 memory with speeds over 4800 MHz, but failed to tell buyers that their computers would not automatically run at those speeds.
To achieve advertised speeds, users typically need to enable XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) or EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) in their PC’s BIOS settings. This is not a default setting. By default, most RAM runs at the base speed of the JEDEC standard – for DDR4 this is usually 2133 MHz; for DDR5 this is often 4800 MHz. For the higher “estimated” speeds advertised by G.Skill, the user must manually enable a profile in the BIOS.
This isn’t a new controversy in PC hardware. Memory manufacturers have long prominently advertised XMP speeds, while basic speeds receive much less emphasis. The G.Skill settlement is one of the first to result in compensation for consumers for this practice.
Who is eligible
You may be eligible if you have made a purchase G.Skill DDR4 or DDR5 desktop (non-laptop) DRAM memory of:
- DDR4 rated speed greater than 2133 MHz
- DDR5 rated speed greater than 4800 MHz
- Purchase dates: January 31, 2018 to January 7, 2026
- Desktop memory only (non-laptop).
- Laptop memory (SO-DIMM) not included
- DDR4 at or below 2133 MHz is not eligible
- DDR5 at or below 4800 MHz is not eligible
How to file and what to expect
5 productsMax. claim without evidence
June 5, 2026Final approval hearing
Claims are submitted to GSkillDRAMSettlement.com. You can also call the settlement manager at 877-755-4222.
Proof of purchase: You can claim up to five eligible products without providing documentation. If you claim more than five products, you must provide proof of purchase for each item above five.
Payment amount: The payout per product is not fixed. It will be calculated after the claims deadline based on the number of valid claims filed and after court-approved costs are deducted from the $2.4 million fund.
Steve’s comment from the queue when this was flagged: “Nobody likes it when their memory is bad, in life or on the computer.” Fair point – and if you spent extra for faster RAM that never ran at advertised speed, it will take about five minutes to file a settlement claim.
What to do
- If you purchased G.Skill DDR4 or DDR5 desktop RAM between 2018 and January 2026check if the rated speed was higher than 2133 MHz (DDR4) or 4800 MHz (DDR5)
- Submit a claim to GSkillDRAMSettlement.com before April 7, 2026 — no receipt is required for up to five products
- If you want to object In connection with the settlement conditions, the objection deadline is also April 7, 2026
(Source: Top Class Actions)
Key Takeaways
- G.Skill settled a $2.4 million class action alleging deceptive advertising of RAM speeds that required undisclosed PC configuration changes
- Eligible purchases: G.Skill DDR4 desktop RAM above 2133 MHz or DDR5 above 4800 MHz, purchased from January 2018 – January 2026
- You can claim a maximum of 5 products without proof of purchase
- Claim deadline: April 7, 2026
- File at GSkillDRAMSettlement.com or call 877-755-4222
Frequently asked questions
- What does “speeds that required adjustments” actually mean?
- Most DDR4 memory comes with a standard JEDEC speed of 2133MHz, regardless of what speed is listed on the box. To run at the advertised higher speed (e.g. 3600 MHz), users must enable XMP (for Intel platforms) or EXPO (for AMD platforms) in their PC’s BIOS settings. The lawsuit alleged that G.Skill failed to adequately disclose this requirement, leaving many buyers with RAM that never ran at the speed they paid for.
- Do I need my original proof of purchase to make a claim?
- Not necessarily. You can claim up to five eligible G.Skill products without providing proof of purchase. If you claim more than five products, you will need documentation for each item above five. If you purchased your RAM through an online store such as Amazon or Newegg, your order history can serve as documentation.
- Does this settlement cover DDR5 RAM?
- Yes. The settlement covers both DDR4 desktop RAM with rated speeds greater than 2133 MHz and DDR5 desktop RAM with rated speeds greater than 4800 MHz purchased between January 31, 2018 and January 7, 2026. Laptop memory (SO-DIMM) is not included.
- How much money do I actually get?
- The payment amount per product is not fixed. It depends on how many valid claims are filed and how much remains after attorney fees and court costs are deducted from the $2.4 million fund. The more people who apply, the smaller each individual payout. Claims for up to five products per household will be accepted.
- Has G.Skill admitted he did something wrong?
- No. G.Skill has admitted no wrongdoing as part of this settlement. The settlement resolves the dispute without establishing liability.
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