Memory Diagnostics: Which to Believe?

[Pyrocles]

After upgrading my PC from 512 MB to 1 GB of RAM, I've noticed some system instability (i.e., crashes in games, Internet Explorer, even Windows startup). My RAM specs:

2 x 512 MB PC1066 232-pin 32-bit Samsung RDRAM DIMMS.

After a few hard drive formats and reinstalls, I decided to test my memory using four memory diagnostic programs I found online. The thing is, I get conflicting reports. Two of the diagnostics find errors in my RAM, while two report no errors. Below are the diagnostics and their results:

Gold Memory (<A HREF="http://www.goldmemory.cz" target="_new">http://www.goldmemory.cz</A>): Reports multiple errors.

MemTest (<A HREF="http://hcidesign.com/memtest/" target="_new">http://hcidesign.com/memtest/</A>): Reports faulty RAM.

MemTest-86 (<A HREF="http://www.memtest86.com/" target="_new">http://www.memtest86.com/</A>): Reports no errors.

DocMemory (<A HREF="http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp" target="_new">http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp</A>): Reports no errors.

None of the above diagnostics report errors when I test each of the individual 512 MB DIMMS individually; only when testing both simultaneously do Gold Memory and MemTest report errors. Does anyone have any advice on which diagnostic to believe?

 

[LumberJack]

Likely there is something wrong with your ram.. how many times did you run each test ... sometimes you need to run a test multiple times before you get an error... you should try to RMA your ram...



To err is human... to really screw things up you need a computer!

 

[Pyrocles]

Thanks for the reply. I let all the test run for at least one loop. Gold Memory found a lot of errors, and reported various addresses at which the errors occurred. MemTest is a Windows-based diagnostic, which ran for 101 "cycles" before finding an error. It's just strange how I've run both of these tests on the individual 512 MB modules multiple times with no errors. But, when I install them both at the same time to test the entire 1 GB, errors occur.

 

[LumberJack]

That's very strange... There may be a problem with your memory controller. Are you overclocking at all?



To err is human... to really screw things up you need a computer!

 

[marneus]

Which OS are you running ???

Hmmm, wonder if I can get a valid page fault ???
these invalid ones are far too commonplace...

 

[Pyrocles]

I'm running Windows XP Home Edition, SP1. Anyway, I did RMA the RAM back, so should be getting a replacement soon. I borrowed two 256 MB modules from a friend, so I could try totally different RAM. Well, these modules pass all diagnostics and perform well in games. I played MOHAA for several hours with no lockups for the first time since before upgrading my PC *wishes he would have read Tomshardware more before going the RAMBUS route*

 

[LumberJack]

Hey there is nothing wrong with rambus... well it is becoming outdated, but the technology itself is more advanced than SD-Ram.. the chipset is all that's holind Rambus back... no worries M-ram will cream everyone within 5 years



To err is human... to really screw things up you need a computer!

 

[bum_jcrules]

Witch version of MRAM? (Sorry, but I always ask this question when people bring it up.)




<A HREF="http://www.millionmanlan.com/MMLDefault.asp" target="_new">Million Man LAN 2 is June 25-29, 2003 in Louisville Kentucky... Be there!</A>

 

[LumberJack]

Type... oh yeah.. hm.. I've been reading on those I'll get back to you...

http://unit.aist.go.jp/nano-ele/spinics/sld004.htm

Suffice to say it's a much faster design which uses less power than current ram. It will likely need some EMI sheilding like rambus, but then again that's just another thing for some bozo's to go and mod



To err is human... to really screw things up you need a computer!

 

[4Ryan6]

This is a known problem that seems to be surfacing more and more, RAM can even have errors in pairs, when manufactured by the same company, but different batch #s, thats why some companys have started pairing the RAM, and pretesting the modules as matched pairs, for M/Bs that run dual DDR. I can sympathize with you, cause its very difficult to pin the problem down, when it passes one test and fails another, when it passes the test you dismiss it as a problem, and continue searching for your problem, when its the RAM all along. A lot of DUAL DDR M/B owners that are mixing the RAM modules are in for some headaches down the road, they just don't know it yet.

<b><font color=purple>Details, Details, Its all in the Details, If you need help, Don't leave out the Details.</font color=purple></b>

 

[Pyrocles]

Well, I received my new RAM from my RMA. And, much to my frustration, MemTest and Gold Memory report errors in this new RAM as well. Although I have to run the tests for quite a while before they find errors. I'll try swapping the modules around or something. At least I have known good RAM in 2 x 256 MB modules; these modules pass all diagnostics and my PC runs amazingly well with them installed.

I bet a lot of people who have seemingly uncurable, random, and recurring problems in their computer's performance, particularly with demanding games, have bad RAM but don't know it...