Errors in Memtest86 = RMA?

IcE-ColD · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:09

Ok i have 1GB of the popular Geil 6400. It's running at 800Mhz on a gigabyte DS3 with 2.1v and 4-4-4-12 timings. So everything is stock for the RAM.

After getting random system crashes i decided to download Memtest and run it. At first i thought that the crashes were OS related but that might not be the case. I ran Memtest for about 20 minutes and got 8 errors. I stoped after that so dont know how many eorrors would have shown up. So is my RAM faulty if i get errors in Memtest.

I've always regreted buying 1Gb of RAM and want to make the move to 2GB so my question is shall i RMA the RAM and buy a 2Gb Dominator kit? Anyone got any other suggestions for which pc2-6400 Ram i should go for?

Thanks,
Martin

easyrider · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:15

If ram errors in memtest at stock settings then its faulty.

IcE-ColD · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:29

Cheers for the speedy reply

Gonna return it after Christmas then. Any suggestions on which 2Gb kit i should get?

Jokester · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:31

It might need upto 2.3V according to their website.

Jokester

IcE-ColD · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:43

Ok I'll test it at 2.2v and 2.3v sometime but im pretty sure it's supposed to run fine at 800MHz and 4-4-4-12 at 2.1v. I need more RAM anyway so i might aswell get a refund for this and buy 2Gb kit from Overclockers

I play a lot of F.E.A.R. and don't think 1Gb quiet cuts it

Jokester · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:45

Might have got the wrong sticks, but there current batch of of 6400 says 1.8-2.3V.

Jokester

Edit: Errors can also be caused by CPU/chipset instability as well.

monkeypants · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:47

Memtest86+ is giving me errors with my OCZ gold, but otherwise it's fine. All three sets I've had have done this.

I'm not sure I trust Memtest at the moment.

IcE-ColD · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:49

Yer but i get random system crashes and get a BSOD saying that a part of the memory could not be written to. I reinstalled XP and still get the occasional BSOD.

monkeypants · 16 Dec 2006 at 22:52

RMA it. I didn't read your post properly, I blame that fact I'm watching QI.

PaulProteus · 16 Dec 2006 at 23:38

monkeypants said:
RMA it. I didn't read your post properly, I blame that fact I'm watching QI.

I second that. I have just got the confirmation that my memory, which I recently RMA-ed back to the US had been delivered.

I also had first errors in Memtest (under Windows) and the errors were supported by Memtest86 (booted from a CD). It was only one of the sticks, but as they were dual channel twin sticks I sent back both.

mosehn · 17 Dec 2006 at 21:22

i got error's with all; 3 sticks of my ram , is there a chance the dimm slots could be the problem or is it my fault for buying cheap ram

PaulProteus · 18 Dec 2006 at 07:21

mosehn said:
i got error's with all; 3 sticks of my ram , is there a chance the dimm slots could be the problem or is it my fault for buying cheap ram

I guess you could troubleshoot your motherboard by borrowing some sticks froma friend and run his by means of Memtest86 or memtest uder Windows. If it were for the motherboard it should clearly show up.

It could be the "cheap" RAM but I seriously doubt that you were so unlucky to pick up three sticks all of them faulty.

The chances are that it might be that the board undervolts your memory.

Someone here with more experience should be able to give you some advice I guess.

Good luck,
Jordan

Rroff · 18 Dec 2006 at 07:34

not sure why anyone buys geil any more, except that its cheap, it doesn't overclock all that great really (compared to more expensive sticks admittedly), and I'm forever seeing posts where someone has had to RMA sets because 1 or both sticks are faulty at stock...