How hot can DDR3 RAM get? (Before corrupting bits?)

[VirtualLarry]

Just wondering. I built a HTPC with a desktop G1610 CPU and stock heatsink on an ECS H61H2-I 1.1 ITX board, and I put a 2x4GB DDR3-1333 GSkill kit in there.

I have been having issues with Waterfox appcrashes, sometimes every day or every few days.
I first suspected the Intel video drivers or FlashPlayer, but I updated both of them, and I'm still getting appcrashes.

So I pulled out the 2x4GB kit of RAM, and put in 1x2GB.

The RAM was VERY warm. Could that cause bit-errors during operation? The RAM didn't have heat-spreaders. (After all, it's only standard 1333.)

I guess I'll see if I have errors with the 2GB stick.

I might need to RMA the 8GB kit of RAM.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Just wondering. I built a HTPC with a desktop G1610 CPU and stock heatsink on an ECS H61H2-I 1.1 ITX board, and I put a 2x4GB DDR3-1333 GSkill kit in there.

I have been having issues with Waterfox appcrashes, sometimes every day or every few days.
I first suspected the Intel video drivers or FlashPlayer, but I updated both of them, and I'm still getting appcrashes.

So I pulled out the 2x4GB kit of RAM, and put in 1x2GB.

The RAM was VERY warm. Could that cause bit-errors during operation? The RAM didn't have heat-spreaders. (After all, it's only standard 1333.)

I guess I'll see if I have errors with the 2GB stick.

I might need to RMA the 8GB kit of RAM.

I suppose that's where I balked at the idea of a standalone, compact, minimally-cooled HTPC, and where others had adopted that concept and told me such was the best approach. It may well be that it is the best approach, but I didn't have cooling problems.

As to the G.SKILLs, I'd had a set of 2x4's that did fail, although the brand has been very reliable overall and their warranty has always been well-honored. Perhaps you should test them, even under cooler bench conditions. Then figure out a way to keep them -- or their replacements -- cooler.

And by the way -- per the set I'd determined was failing two months ago. I didn't have to wait very long to get the replacements in the mail.

 

[denis280]

The RAM was VERY warm. Could that cause bit-errors during operation? The RAM didn't have heat-spreaders. (After all, it's only standard 1333.)

Did it to me once with a kit of kingston.did turn out it was the ram.and just like you they got very warm.

 

[ikachu]

The maximum storage temperature (powered off) for DDR3 is 100 degrees C. Standard max operating temperature is 85 degrees C, although some DRAM supports up to 95C (with extra precautions against data loss such as an increased refresh rate).

That being said, higher temperatures definitely can increase the rate of bit errors, especially if your DRAM is marginal to begin with. I'd try putting in one stick at a time, and then running MemTest86 or similar program for a period of hours and see if you see any errors.

What voltage is the RAM btw?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Bog-standard DDR3-1333 1.5v, GSkill variety, which has always done good by me in the past.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Bog-standard DDR3-1333 1.5v, GSkill variety, which has always done good by me in the past.

Did you run them through an HCI MEmtest in a cooler environment yet?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I swapped out the Gskill, for a 2GB DIMM that I had laying around.

I still got a Waterfox 28.0 appcrash.

So I did an OCCT PSU test. CPU temp got to 61C. I doubt that the RAM is getting hotter than that.

So I don't think it's the RAM or the PSU, necessarily.

I suspect good ole' ECS motherboard quality, although I would have thought that they would have improved since the bad old days. Especially a board with all solid caps.

But this is the second time that Newegg has had that board on a firesale, so maybe they know something that I don't.

 

[ikachu]

It's possible that if the RAM was bad when you installed Windows/Drivers/Waterfox, that some of the files got corrupted, so even if you swap out with good RAM you still get crashes. I've run into this before.

It's really worth your time to run a memory test application on your 4GB sticks to see if they show any errors.

 

[bryanl]

I swapped out the Gskill, for a 2GB DIMM that I had laying around.

I still got a Waterfox 28.0 appcrash.

What 2GB? Maybe it's no better.

What does it say on the chips of the G.Skill and 2GB? Sans heat spreaders, the manufacturers of the chips can be discerned, unless sub-prime chips were used.

BIOS upgrades to motherboards are sometimes issued to correct memory compatibility problems