MEMTEST in windows...

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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hi all,

are MEMEST programs that work in windows any good at testing for OCing based errors?

such as this 1:

http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

coz i have my cheap n nasty RAM running at 210mhz (@ 2.9v)... passed this program for quite a while though... and all seems good!

or DO I HAVE TO RUN THE BOOTABLE DOS MEMTEST???

thanks
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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The windows version will not test ALL of the memory and that is why some dont like it..Any app and the OS will reserve certain amounts of it and you wont be able to test it...

I like the DOS version as well..
 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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OK well i guess i might give the DOS version a try then if i can find the CD lying aboout...

but what would you guys say is the average OC for value RAM? i am running DDR400 @2.9V (stock is 2.4/2.5?) but the A64 OC guide sad that 2.9 would be FINE...atm i'm at DDR425ish speeds just and have passed the WINDOWS MEMTEST for like 20-30 mins
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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You are giving it 2.9v and only have garnered 25mhz???? Not worth it.....2.9v may be fine but 2.9v is high and the ram should be actively coole with a fan aimed at them....


Some ram do better with lower voltage...Did you try to get higher speed with lower voltage???
 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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nope :D

to be honest i really haven't properly OCed my RAM... all i have done is raised CPU HTT and chosen a corresponding divider that leaves the RAM a little OCed!

so u reckon i could have same RAM speeds at lower V setting and/or achieve a higher OC at thins V setting but need cooling for RAM (which by ythe way i do not have!)

thanks again
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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Most definitely....

My Gskill that was rated for 2.6v stock did 500ddr at 2.6v but cas 2.5 and neede 2.8v but could even push out 600ddr at cas 3

I would think 2.7v and holding current cas timings should garner you at least 450-466DDR....perhaps 500ddr can be had with 2.8v and slowest looser timings...
 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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wow... u reckon i only have the cheapest valuest RAM available in a 2x512mb arrangement...

but i guess i'm going to have to have a 'PROPER' attempt at OCing my RAM...

1 more quick question.... If i set all to stock i.e. divider 1:1 and CPU HTT @ 200 and remove all possibilities from OC equation... what kind of increments should i raise the CPU HTT by to test RAM?

whats safest and quickest way 1-2-5mhz increments?

thanks again

EDIT:

am running at 3-3-3-8 normal latencies...

keep them like this whilst OCing i assume?
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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Oh crap...cas 3 is base???

Well that will limit your ability....I forgot tha value ram was that bad...

OK...

The 3000+ oc'd to 2450mhz with what I assume is a 9x default multiplier means 272HTT....

166 divider means 222mhz or 222x2 for 444ddr...I imagine waith cas 3-3-3-8 at 400ddr you likely will have trouble going more then 10% at stock....So boost it to 2.6v and try cas 3-4-3-8....

The one thing I have learmned with the ondie controller of the A64 is it has a lot to do with the oc'd overall speed of the chip as well....

I could run 8x300 ddr with 200 divider and cas 3-4-3-10 for 600ddr...however I could not run 9x285 with 1:1 and get cas3 to work at any reasonable voltage....9x285 was well below what the chip speed topped out at 9x296......

Try getting the ram to work with the best cpu speed you have now...In most instances cpu speed trumps ram speed....in most that is...gaming often times likes the ram speed a bit more, but if high ram speeds means you lose 60-100mhz cpu speed then it wont be worth it...


Do you have a 183 divider to work with??

 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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On my ASUS A8N-Sli it gives me the divider options in DDR speed options.

I have 400, 333, 266, 200 ONLY...

ATM i am running 260*9 = 2340mhz with 333 divider = DDR433.3 actual RAM clock with CAS 3-3-3-8-11-1T

 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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That sounds right....the 333 is the same as 166 divider....

Too bad you dont have a 183 or 367 option.....

When you start running into some errors and vdimm bumps are not helping, go ahead and change the 2nd (3) to 4....ie 3,4,3,8
 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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Cool thanks for all your advice its much appreciated!

I know i was bit gutted that i dont have the 367 option on my mboard... apparently it can be applied using A64 tweaker but i would rather do my OCing in BIOS....

As for the increase increments? How much do u think i should increase my CPU HTT by each time? 1-2-5mhz? i.e start @ 200, then 205, 210, 215, 220?

Although i can start at 210 (coz have tested this fairly well with MEMTEST in windows and DOS)...

thanks again
 

furballi

Banned
Apr 6, 2005
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I can set the test # with the DOS version. Use test #5 for about 10 passes to quickly check the memory in 13 minutes.
 

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: Duvie
The windows version will not test ALL of the memory and that is why some dont like it..Any app and the OS will reserve certain amounts of it and you wont be able to test it...

I like the DOS version as well..


Wow, never thought of that! Good to know

Sounds like the windows version is probably OK for a quick stability check when overclocking if you know your memory is good. But to test for bad or failing memory, I will definately use the DOS version in the future.

 

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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cool... so how do u set MEMTEST to just run repeats of test number 5??

once you have done that as a check... what would you do for a 'PROPER' test? normal cycle overnight...?

thanks for all the useful input guys
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
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I run the DOS version simply because I don't want an unstable OC to screw up my Windows installation.