Bad Memory - Industry Rules?

[SLalley]

After having some problems with my computer I began to suspect either the CPU or memory. I then proceeded to test my system:

ASUS A7N8X
1 GB Kingston Value Memory (Two 512MB Modules)
ATI 9600 PRO
AMD 2100+ CPU

The first test I ran was this: http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

After a couple of hours it froze my machine the first time through. I removed one of the memory modules and then reran the test. This time it managed to work for over eight hours before coming up with a rounding error. I don't know if this was a memory issue or a CPU problem.

So then I ran this dedicated memory test on both memory modules.
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/
The one that I suspected was bad was REALLY bad. The other one came up with one error after about 10 hours of testing.

I always assumed that memory and CPUs are meant to be perfect. If they do not calculate or remember correctly they should be replaced by the manufacturer if still under warranty. Is there a product quality level specification for memory that details what the manufacturer or reseller considers acceptable/unacceptable? Sort of like bad pixels in LCD displays.

It seems that whenever I get new memory or a CPU I should run tests for a 24 hour period and then if I get an error I should return it.

What are peoples thoughts on this?



Steve

 

[vagabond]

That's what I do before I sell anything to a customer. I always do a burn-in before I give the computer up. Saves a lot of headaches in the long run.

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[etp777]

That's what all assemblers/techs I know do.

What I want to know is why the complete gap in logic in your testing sequence on the first test. If it had problems with both in, then didn't with just one, why in the world didn't you take the final step and test it with just the suspected bad module in.

 

[vagabond]

Sorry dude! I believe you need to address this question to the poster.

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[SLalley]

Actually I did what you said I just didn't write clearly enough.

Steve

 

[Crashman]

Actually a lot of stuff has been written on this. Basically, memory makers have several grades of chips, based on how many defects are present! The cheap RAM you buy MIGHT just be grade C for example. And even grade A chips can have problems if the modules aren't just perfect.

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[SLalley]

I wondered about this. How does one tell what quality of RAM you are buying? Not speed but quality.

Steve

 

[Crashman]

Just buy a good brand and you'll probably get the good chips, but that still doesn't mean the modules will be perfect, nor that you'll get appropriat chips! For example, Mushking is touting their PC3200LL with 6ns Winbond chips. Those chips are only rated by Winbond at PC2700 speed (166MHz, DDR333).

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