Memtest86+ Shows Errors Only With Two Sticks Installed

[Swennet]

Two days ago my PC randomly gave me a BSOD. Ever since then I've been getting random BSODs. After a lot of searching for the cause and removing multiple parts from my PC I came to the conclusion that either my Motherboard, CPU, or my RAM is broken.

I decided to run a memtest on each of my 2 4GB Crucial Ballistix Spots sticks and both of them came out with no errors after 2 passes.

I then decided to run a memtest with both sticks inserted and errors started popping up almost immediately, and then my PC crashing and automatically rebooting.

I then went into my BIOS to check the voltages but my PC froze up in the BIOS menus. (striped artifacts on my monitor whilst still displaying the frozen BIOS)

Is this an indication that my Motherboards DIMM slots are faulty or something else?

I have removed my GPU from my PC for the time being. BIOS ran fine without the memory sticks installed. These components are all 4 months old so relatively new.

 

[Tradesman1]

Should run Memtest on single sticks, multiple sticks can come up with false positives

 

[Swennet]

I tested both sticks individually in the first slot for 2 passes and 0 errors. With 2 sticks it immediately gives me 200+ errors and freezes/crashes my pc and reboots. To be frank, I doubt it's a false positive.

Will try using the 3rd slot to run memtest tomorrow and see if it's the DIMM slot that's causing trouble.

 

[Tradesman1]

Is it a pair from a single package of DRAM or sticks out of different packages 9and what model # or #s)

 

[Swennet]

It's a pair from a single package bought about 4 months ago (along with a new MOBO, CPU and PSU)

It's Crucial Ballistix Sports 2x 4GB

 

[Tradesman1]

That's good, are you running a third party CPU cooler, if so it may be too tight in a corner or side which can throw off the MC (memory controller), might loosen then snug down to screw tight,

 

[Swennet]

I was testing my other DIMM slots today when I found out that it's actually just one of my RAM sticks that is broken. I must have made a mistake last night and test the same stick in the first slot twice... The risks of PC troubleshooting at 4am

I will RMA this broken RAM. Thank you for your help anyway!

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries, glad the problem is identified 😉