Another Memtest thread

R

Relentless702

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Mobo - GA-EP43 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347&Tpk=ga-ep43-ds3l

Proc - Q6600 @ stock

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Everything is stock, bios settings are default. Overall the PC seems to be running fine. Have been running multiple tests to stress the CPU (Prime95, Intel Burn Test, Sandra, etc.) and so far no issues and comfortabe temps. Haven't even installed any games yet.

Last night I decided to run Memtest with both RAM modules in dual channel. Ran two passes with no errors, but on the fourth test of the third pass I had one error. I know many people say to run at least 7+ passes, but I also read alot of people saying one error is too many.

Today after work I ran two passes on each RAM stick individually with no errors. Ran them in dual channel once again, and recieved the same error on the third pass, fourth test.

The RAM specs say to run them at 1.8-1.9v. My mobo is on auto and has them at 1.8v. Of course, first and foremost I want to make sure I have no faulty hardware and that my system is stable before moving forward. I have been doing alot of research but the information leads to a thousand different directions. I know this must be beating a dead horse for most of you, but any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
I'd bump the voltage to 1.9 and run several loops. If it's clean at 1.9 I wouldn't stress about it (personally).

If you still get intermittent errors at 1.9, then worry/RMA.
 
Tested at 1.9v. Same error on pass 3 test 4. Im going to re-run the test on each stick individually at 1.9v for the same amount of passes. Really hoping its not an issue with one of my other components.
 
Try bumping the MCH voltage by .05-.1 and see if that stabilizes it. This was a recommendation from Gigabyte support for a similar set up.

Also, I'm sure you've done this already, but make sure the BIOS is up to date as well. Though, use the flash utility from the bios not the windows software.
 
I removed one stick and ran 3 passes on the individual at 1.9v with no errors. I dont have time to swap sticks but i'll do the same on the other stick after work tomorrow. If I get errors on the other stick then im guessing its faulty and i'll have to RMA them, but i'll bump the MCH up a bit like you advised before I go through that process just to see if it works. Appreciate the responses, update results tomorrow.
 
Definitely good advice on upping voltage to 1.9. Looks like one of those sticks is bad if one passes and other doesn't (did you try each one individually?). Before you RMA (if you haven't tried this already) go into bios and manually set your memory timings to 5-5-5-15 (per specs on that memory IIRC) and see if that helps - your motherboard may have done this already but not all of them set the values correctly when left to auto.
 
Well I ran four passes on each stick individually at 1.9v. The one stick had no errors, and the other had one error on the third pass test three. I switched the stick with the errors to a different dimm (the same slot as the first stick with no errors) and ran another four passes to rule out the possibility of a bad dimm slot. Had one error on pass three test four. Looks like an RMA on the ram?
 
Considering that Memtest86/+, which is about the best diagnostic that can be run on a PC, is actually a pretty bad, compared to the expensive testing machines the real chip manufacturers use, and no real chip manufacturer requires 1.9V, then that G.Skil memory is defective.
 
Yeah I also was ruling out the possibility of one of my other components being defective which was more of a concern to me then the ram. Shipped it today priority so it should be there tues. I've never RMA'd anything from newegg, they pretty quick on shipping back a replacement?
 
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