Overclock.net banner

Is all my ram sticks bad? Or, what else can cause a memtest failure?

765 views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  mark $ 
#1 ·
Note the ram, I used the avexir for a long time with no issues until a few months ago trying to get darksouls 3 to run (crash at startup, freezes computer). I replaced the ram with the pny 16gb set, but ds3 still didn't work. I gave up and got the game refunded. Now I wanted to play overwatch during f2p weekend, but doesn't look like that's going to happen. Would really like to get this fixed though, as it's looking to be possibly be an issue with either the cpu socket or memory slots or something weird...

Note2: I have an additional [Gigabye z68x ud3h-B3](https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-DDR3-Motherboards-GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3/dp/B00518M74I) But haven't used it as it has a bent pin (when I bought it) and the retailer (microcenter) I bought it from basically told me to F off. Might see if I can fix the pin and get it to boot, but would prefer to not have to take my entire pc apart and reinstall mobos if possible.

Overwatch, and ds3 crashes as soon as the game launches. Windows memory diagnostic detects hardware failure. However, pc boots, and heaven and realbench both ran without any issues. Completed, passed, no excessive temps.

Tried pairing the 2 avaxir and the two PNY sticks, and separately, in all possible mem slot combinations. Cleared cmos between each. All have failed windows memory diagnostic. Haven't ran memtest yet, will do so tonight.

I have no checked for mobo, or chipset drivers or new UEFI bios (are they still called bios? I've been out of the game basically since UEFI became a thing).

Other than completely taking it apart and trying new mobo, and/or new ram, what else could possibly give a memory test failure but still allow windows to boot and every other game to run without any issues?
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Anything that causes instability anywhere in the cache/memory subsystem can potentially result in errors in a memory test. Memory, board, and/or CPU could be bad, or you could simply need to adjust some settings.

Since you've tested the memory individually and all have produced errors, something is likely very wrong with your settings, or the board or CPU may have issues.

Also, if a test as light as Windows Memory Diagnostic is showing errors, I highly recommend not even allowing the system to boot into Windows until you've resolved the issue. You could easily corrupt your OS install.
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blameless View Post

Anything that causes instability anywhere in the cache/memory subsystem can potentially result in errors in a memory test. Memory, board, and/or CPU could be bad, or you could simply need to adjust some settings.

Since you've tested the memory individually and all have produced errors, something is likely very wrong with your settings, or the board or CPU may have issues.

Also, if a test as light as Windows Memory Diagnostic is showing errors, I highly recommend not even allowing the system to boot into Windows until you've resolved the issue. You could easily corrupt your OS install.
UEFI settings are all stock. No OC, not ram timings changed.

Recommendations? The only local stores that carry ram (besides a 45 minute drive to microcenter) is best buy, and it's more PNY sticks (which are not listed on the mobo compatbility list). Should I take my cpu out, reapply tim, check for bent pins, and reseat it? Take it to microcenter and see if they can test the ram, or the cpu in a working test bench (if they have one for 1155?) See if any friends can check the ram in their setups?
 
#5 ·
Try pulling cmos battery wait a few mins. Than put it back in. Go into bios and manually put ram to its desired speed (for example mine is set at ddr3 1600). But look at your manual to make sure the ram you are using is even recommended I. The first place. Not every board can run every ram. I don't think it's he ram but those are simple things you can try and clearing my cmos has helped me in the past
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by emsj86 View Post

Try pulling cmos battery wait a few mins. Than put it back in. Go into bios and manually put ram to its desired speed (for example mine is set at ddr3 1600). But look at your manual to make sure the ram you are using is even recommended I. The first place. Not every board can run every ram. I don't think it's he ram but those are simple things you can try and clearing my cmos has helped me in the past
Will do.

The ram is not recommended, I don't really want to order some online and have it not work also. Should I head to microcenter, as they have good return policy and I wont have to pay return shipping?

Ram timings are correct, 11-11-11-24 1600 1.5v (I've tried 1333 and 1.6v as well for better stability).
 
#7 ·
I'm saying to not replace the ram. Takes the cmos battery out of you re motherboard wait 5 mins or so put it back in. Boot into bios set the ram to what your ram is set at manually. I had this work for me before not to say it is your fix but maybe. Also make sure to check that the motherboard you are using is compatible with the ram you allready have.
 
#8 ·
In addition to reseting the CMOS by puling the battery, I'd reseat the CPU and inspect the socket, board, and underside of the CPU for damage.
 
#9 ·
Reset cmos, set timings and voltages correctly, rebooted, ran memtest for 10 passes. No errors found.

Game still crashes. Ruled out CPU (realbench), gpu (heaven, furmark, and multiple games all work), ram (memtest). Latest drivers, uefi, and firmware. Scan for ssd errors/bad sectors? Pick up a new ssd on black friday and install a fresh copy of windows?
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark $ View Post

Reset cmos, set timings and voltages correctly, rebooted, ran memtest for 10 passes. No errors found.

Game still crashes. Ruled out CPU (realbench), gpu (heaven, furmark, and multiple games all work), ram (memtest). Latest drivers, uefi, and firmware. Scan for ssd errors/bad sectors? Pick up a new ssd on black friday and install a fresh copy of windows?
Memtest takes ~45min for each pass. It might be completing the individual tests, but may fail later.

Let it run for 2-3hrs.
 
#11 ·
Ran memtest for 18 hours. no errors found. Unsure what else could be causing the games to crash, as it's still happening. Maybe I'll try the ssd + new windows and see if that fixes it. Until then, thanks for the assistance. Looks like clearing cmos fixed the memory issue.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top