Best program for testing RAM?

MooMoo444 · 30 Oct 2010 at 09:55

As topic, occasionally a new build will get stuck on boot, but majority of the time it runs absolutely fine, even in windows while gaming.

The LCD poster that came with the board always hangs on "TEST MEM" when it does get stuck, which leads me to believe the RAM is playing up. (The sherlock in me

)

Therefore I just want to test it, as it's running at its rated frequency, timing and voltage.

I had a google for a program that could do this, but there's so many different ones, and I want to use the best, reliable one.

So which one should I use? How do I use it?

Thanks for the help!

PermaBanned · 30 Oct 2010 at 10:35

Memtest86, it's free and included on seveal linux live cds.

jbloggs · 30 Oct 2010 at 10:39

There is also MemTest, although I prefer memtest86+

roger_37 · 30 Oct 2010 at 10:45

Superewza said:
Memtest86, it's free and included on seveal linux live cds.

+1

Metroid · 30 Oct 2010 at 12:07

jbloggs said:
There is also MemTest, although I prefer memtest86+

I also second this.

VFM Addict · 30 Oct 2010 at 12:52

MemTest only useful for checking on a system that you do not have permission to boot for one reason or another. Wherever possible always use the latter.

MooMoo444 · 30 Oct 2010 at 13:49

Very odd!

Both tools detected no errors, but at its rated, it sometimes hangs during POST.

So I lowered it from 1600mhz C9-9-9-24 to 1400mhz C8-8-8-21, and it seems to work flawlessly now. Lower latency to compromise the lower frequency, that's good enough for me :cool:

If anyone is wondering, its this stuff:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

VFM Addict · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:13

Might even be able to tighten them a bit more? In my experience tight timings usually provide a better return than a bit of extra fsb speed anyway.

MooMoo444 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:24

VFM Addict said:
Might even be able to tighten them a bit more? In my experience tight timings usually provide a better return than a bit of extra fsb speed anyway.

Perhaps =)

What would you suggest?

VFM Addict · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:08

TBH you won't get a massive performance improvement but I love playing with timings so I'd do it.

First, what does CPU-Z list that ram's timings as being when run at 1400Mhz? That should be in the SPD tab of CPU-Z. You can take those as a starting point and edge down from there.

As well as doing a short test for stability at each stage, I usually SuperPi 1M also to see how much I'm gaining. Its only ever a small gain each step but overall its nice to compare where you started and where you ultimately finished so you can see you got a result.

If you're prepared to increase vdimm a notch or so you will usually be able to improve on the timings shown in CPU-Z by quite a degree. Don't do this though unless you have good case temps.

MooMoo444 · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:38

Well the SPD says 9-9-9-24 for 666 ^^;

Don't know how far I can safely take the voltage too.

I'll have a tinker later, thanks for the help :cool:

biuro74 · 30 Oct 2010 at 21:54

MooMoo444 said:
The LCD poster that came with the board always hangs on "TEST MEM" when it does get stuck, which leads me to believe the RAM is playing up. (The sherlock in me )
Thanks for the help!

LCD poster tells me that you've got Asus motherboard. If so - check your memory in QVL, it's a compatibility list.