[SOLVED] Is Techpowerup Memtest64 reliable?

[Mkazem]

I have 32GB of memory, and when I run the test in Memtest64 with max memory, strange things happen. I don't have Graphic card so i use Intel HD 530

The Memtest64 it self, does not find any errors, but the windows becomes slow. screen goes black, weird artifacts show up on screen. other programs fail to operate normally.

but when i ran Memtest86 and prime95 system was stable, no errors and no significant freeze.

whats wrong with Techpowerup Memtest64?



CPU: Skylake 6700K
CPU Freq: 4600MHz

RAM: 4x G.Skill Trident Z
RAM original timing: 16-16-16-36
RAM current timing: 15-15-15-36
RAM original speed: 3600
RAM current speed: 3333
RAM voltage: 1.35

Windows 10 Version 1809

 

[Darkbreeze]

This is the optimal way to test memory.

Memtest86​

Go to the Passmark software website and download the USB Memtest86 free version. You can do the optical disk version too if for some reason you cannot use a bootable USB flash drive.

Create bootable media using the downloaded Memtest86 (NOT Memtest86+, that is a different, older version and is outdated). Once you have done that, go into your BIOS and configure the system to boot to the USB drive that contains the Memtest86 USB media or the optical drive if using that option.

Click here to download Memtest86 USB package​

Create a bootable USB Flash drive:

1. Download the Windows MemTest86 USB image.

2. Right click on the downloaded file and select the "Extract to Here" option. This places the USB image and imaging tool into the current folder.

3. Run the included imageUSB tool, it should already have the image file selected and you just need to choose which connected USB drive to turn into a bootable drive. Note that this will erase all data on the drive.


No memory should ever fail to pass Memtest86 when it is at the default configuration that the system sets it at when you start out or do a clear CMOS by removing the CMOS battery for five minutes.

Best method for testing memory is to first run four passes of Memtest86, all 11 tests, WITH the memory at the default configuration. This should be done BEFORE setting the memory to the XMP profile settings. The paid version has 13 tests but the free version only has tests 1-10 and test 13. So run full passes of all 11 tests. Be sure to download the latest version of Memtest86. Memtest86+ has not been updated in MANY years. It is NO-WISE as good as regular Memtest86 from Passmark software.

If there are ANY errors, at all, then the memory configuration is not stable. Bumping the DRAM voltage up slightly may resolve that OR you may need to make adjustments to the primary timings. There are very few secondary or tertiary timings that should be altered. I can tell you about those if you are trying to tighten your memory timings.

If you cannot pass Memtest86 with the memory at the XMP configuration settings then I would recommend restoring the memory to the default JEDEC SPD of 1333/2133mhz (Depending on your platform and memory type) with everything left on the auto/default configuration and running Memtest86 over again. If it completes the four full passes without error you can try again with the XMP settings but first try bumping the DRAM voltage up once again by whatever small increment the motherboard will allow you to increase it by. If it passes, great, move on to the Prime95 testing.

If it still fails, try once again bumping the voltage if you are still within the maximum allowable voltage for your memory type and test again. If it still fails, you are likely going to need more advanced help with configuring your primary timings and should return the memory to the default configuration until you can sort it out.

If the memory will not pass Memtest86 for four passes when it IS at the stock default non-XMP configuration, even after a minor bump in voltage, then there is likely something physically wrong with one or more of the memory modules and I'd recommend running Memtest on each individual module, separately, to determine which module is causing the issue. If you find a single module that is faulty you should contact the seller or the memory manufacturer and have them replace the memory as a SET. Memory comes matched for a reason as I made clear earlier and if you let them replace only one module rather than the entire set you are back to using unmatched memory which is an open door for problems with incompatible memory.

Be aware that you SHOULD run Memtest86 to test the memory at the default, non-XMP or custom profile settings BEFORE ever making any changes to the memory configuration so that you will know if the problem is a setting or is a physical problem with the memory.

 

[Mkazem]

This is the optimal way to test memory.

Memtest86​

Go to the Passmark software website and download the USB Memtest86 free version. You can do the optical disk version too if for some reason you cannot use a bootable USB flash drive.

Create bootable media using the downloaded Memtest86 (NOT Memtest86+, that is a different, older version and is outdated). Once you have done that, go into your BIOS and configure the system to boot to the USB drive that contains the Memtest86 USB media or the optical drive if using that option.

Click here to download Memtest86 USB package​

Create a bootable USB Flash drive:

1. Download the Windows MemTest86 USB image.

2. Right click on the downloaded file and select the "Extract to Here" option. This places the USB image and imaging tool into the current folder.

3. Run the included imageUSB tool, it should already have the image file selected and you just need to choose which connected USB drive to turn into a bootable drive. Note that this will erase all data on the drive.


No memory should ever fail to pass Memtest86 when it is at the default configuration that the system sets it at when you start out or do a clear CMOS by removing the CMOS battery for five minutes.

Best method for testing memory is to first run four passes of Memtest86, all 11 tests, WITH the memory at the default configuration. This should be done BEFORE setting the memory to the XMP profile settings. The paid version has 13 tests but the free version only has tests 1-10 and test 13. So run full passes of all 11 tests. Be sure to download the latest version of Memtest86. Memtest86+ has not been updated in MANY years. It is NO-WISE as good as regular Memtest86 from Passmark software.

If there are ANY errors, at all, then the memory configuration is not stable. Bumping the DRAM voltage up slightly may resolve that OR you may need to make adjustments to the primary timings. There are very few secondary or tertiary timings that should be altered. I can tell you about those if you are trying to tighten your memory timings.

If you cannot pass Memtest86 with the memory at the XMP configuration settings then I would recommend restoring the memory to the default JEDEC SPD of 1333/2133mhz (Depending on your platform and memory type) with everything left on the auto/default configuration and running Memtest86 over again. If it completes the four full passes without error you can try again with the XMP settings but first try bumping the DRAM voltage up once again by whatever small increment the motherboard will allow you to increase it by. If it passes, great, move on to the Prime95 testing.

If it still fails, try once again bumping the voltage if you are still within the maximum allowable voltage for your memory type and test again. If it still fails, you are likely going to need more advanced help with configuring your primary timings and should return the memory to the default configuration until you can sort it out.

If the memory will not pass Memtest86 for four passes when it IS at the stock default non-XMP configuration, even after a minor bump in voltage, then there is likely something physically wrong with one or more of the memory modules and I'd recommend running Memtest on each individual module, separately, to determine which module is causing the issue. If you find a single module that is faulty you should contact the seller or the memory manufacturer and have them replace the memory as a SET. Memory comes matched for a reason as I made clear earlier and if you let them replace only one module rather than the entire set you are back to using unmatched memory which is an open door for problems with incompatible memory.

Be aware that you SHOULD run Memtest86 to test the memory at the default, non-XMP or custom profile settings BEFORE ever making any changes to the memory configuration so that you will know if the problem is a setting or is a physical problem with the memory.

Thanks a lot. I finally did a test few days ago and got no errors after 8 passes.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Nice. Glad it was helpful.

 

[cat1092]

@Darkbreeze, thanks a lot for this!

Purchased what was supposed to be a new 8GB (4GB x2) Crucial DDR3-1600 set, one of the few which works with the Dell Optiplex 780. Of course, it doesn't run at the full speed due to being an older chipset, believe it runs somewhere in the range of 532Mhz.

However, the new set was shipped in an anti-static bag, oddly with both chips touching one another (could had at least folded that internal package over to prevent this). Has what looks to be a genuine Crucial sticker, only says PC3-12800X instead of PC3-12800. There was one BSOD after the install, yet it was unrelated to the RAM, rather a newer PCIe network driver (installed by Windows 10 1903). Reverted to the older one & all was OK.

Am unsure if I should keep the memory or send back, yet one thing against it is how it shows in CPU-Z. My original Crucial kit of the same (only w/out the X at the end of PC3-12800) shows the real specs, month & year produced. These new ones, one shows date & year only (no brand given) and a bunch of random data, the second of the set doesn't show time frame of production, brand nor anything other than random data.

The only good thing I can say is that it works with the PC, as stated, the Optiplex 780 is very finicky, spent nearly as much in RMA fees for RAM that didn't work (across 6 sets), until by a stroke of luck, found the right one on Amazon. So last week I made what I thought to be the 2nd purchase of the same retail kit & in comes this crap. Have seen such chips in the ADATA brand (usually Kingston), but not when purchasing what was supposed to be a new, full retail kit.

So I'll run this test, first with all chips in & a 2nd with only the ones just received. If I get the first error out of the test, will demand what I paid for, or a refund. Amazon will make them ship the right component (new as advertised) or refund one they received the kit back. Had I known I was purchasing used or refurbished RAM, would had never pulled the trigger. May RMA for the the misrepresentation of the description & demand a new & fully genuine kit for the same price.

Again, thanks for the tool you've provided!

Cat

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you have further questions or wish to discuss your issue further, please start your own thread and send me a link. I'll be happy to assist if I can.