Can PSUs damage RAM Modules?

[N4g4rok]

Working on repairing a computer for a friend. He had a lot of trouble with defective RAM in the past, and was certain it friend his motherboard too.

So, we replaced everything except the PSU. Now, after several days of working jut fine, the RAM is returning 35000+ errors in Memtest. I don't think i've ever heard of a PSU damaging jus the RAM modules, but would it have happened here?

 

[Raduque]

Yep. Flaky power supply makes all kinds of weird things happen.

 

[N4g4rok]

What are the odds it left everything else intact?

Too late for RMA, but i'm hoping i can replace both the RAM and PSU for ~$100. Anything higher and i'm over budget.

 

[Raduque]

What are the odds it left everything else intact?

Too late for RMA, but i'm hoping i can replace both the RAM and PSU for ~$100. Anything higher and i'm over budget.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the odds. I will tell you this, though: I had a bad PSU kill itself and a GPU and destroy the AGP slot. New PSU, two GPUs later (one to find out the AGP slot was dead, and a PCI one) and the rest of the system ran for years afterward with no issues.

 

[RU482]

does a bear crap in the woods?

I would wager that power supply problems cause the majority of later on RAM, GPU, Mobo failures

 

[N4g4rok]

does a bear crap in the woods?

Did not realize how obvious that was. My concern was whether or not only the ram was damaged. I would have believed the motherboard, processor, SOMETHING would have gone along with it.

The PSU never really gave any indicator that it was having issues. these intermittent problems didn't pop up until the exact same issues came up with everything but that PSU swapped out. Absolutely maddening.

Thanks for the help. I'll be sure to Google first next time.

 

[bononos]

It wouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind in America but is the power from your friend's utility flaky? It might have damaged his psu.

 

[N4g4rok]

It wouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind in America but is the power from your friend's utility flaky? It might have damaged his psu.

Around here, the power draw during the summer tends to cause hiccups here and there.

 

[pete1229]

sounds like a UPS is needed after all the fixes and to guard against those "hiccups"