RAM Testing

[genjaguar]

What the best way to check ram stability at a certain speed with certain timings? Is there anything other than memtest that is reliable?

If you're checking with memtest, how much should you run it? Is just test 5 and 6 enough? Is 1 pass of the whole thing enough? Or should you let it go for a while?

Also if it passes memtest at say cpu speed 9x250 but failes at 10x250, this would indicate a problem with the cpu and not with the memory speed correct?

[JerMe]

Initially, I'd do a memtest sweep with a low multiplier and high FSB, test#5 to see if it passes a few loops, then I'd continue pushing my FSB up. Once it hits a FSB wall, I'd loop all tests for 24 hours. This is to rule out the memory as a source of a bad OC.

I wouldn't really trust stability checks for the multiplier when using memtest. Once you have your max FSB, I'd continue the testing in Windows. If you're on an A64, there's a program called "CPU stability test 6.0" that you can use to check stability.

Err, HTT or whatever, I'm still stuck in Socket A land :p

[sparkie34]

Also if it passes memtest at say cpu speed 9x250 but failes at 10x250, this would indicate a problem with the cpu and not with the memory speed correct?

That is correct.


Run memtest on test 5 OVERNIGHT. If you have no errors by the morning you should be ok. But to be sure the second night I usually let every test run overnight. Then you know your memory is good to go. :burn:

[felinusz]

You might find it worth your time to check out the thread linked up in my signature, in light blue text, "The Definitive Guide to Stability Testing" :)

It is a long read, but it explains good use of memtest86 for thoroughly stress testing your memory overclocks, and out-of-spec memory timings :)


If you're checking with memtest, how much should you run it? Is just test 5 and 6 enough? Is 1 pass of the whole thing enough? Or should you let it go for a while?

Test #5 is a very good little quick test to apply to a fresh overclock. It is usually quite fast picking up any instability as a result of overclocking: running it looped for an hour is an excellent way to do a speedy preliminary stability test on your overclock, when you are first finding the limits of your system.

That said, running it looped for less than ~12 hours (preferably 24+), is often not sufficient to weed out "subtle" instabilities in an "almost stable" overclock

For your 24/7 overclock, a thorough 24+ hour stress test is always the safest :).

[genjaguar]

Is there a good program that checks vdimm?

[felinusz]

Is there a good program that checks vdimm?

Not all motherboards have software VDIMM monitering capabilities.

If your board does have a VDIMM voltage readout, Motherboard Moniter 5 is about as good as it gets for such programs.

Here is a link: http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

I should add that these monitering programs' readouts are prone to software manipulation, and are often somewhat inaccurate. Your best bet for accuracy, is a digital multimeter :)

[genjaguar]

Well I don['t think I'm setting it up right. My vcore is 1.45 which is good but my ram says 3.28v.