Tell me why I should RMA my memory *updated this morning*

[wchou]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Bad mobo? This is a possibility for a source of Memtest errors?

I don't know, most other people here seem to have the opinion that it should be able to perform flawlessly in Memtest for 24 hours at stock speeds. Either way I need to make a decision very quickly.

Really? Is it hard to rma? If you think their is a problem and their may not but I think you will feel better if you rma it and see if the next stick do the same. No memory is perfect, all exhibit to certain degree of errors much like burning a dvd. Your cpu has crc error correction built in known as l2 ecc cache checking. a small margin of errors is very good, it will not effect your computer performance or stability unless it's a really bad memory that will cause your computer to crash and reboot so often you just want to take a hammer and end it's life asap. What's these error? It's a hit and miss thing, if they miss they'll just resend it again like your dsl/cable broadband TCP packet with built in error correction.

 

[archcommus]

I'm going to RMA it, only because I'm pretty sure that the few problems I've had in the past were due to my memory, and because Memtest really should be able to run error-free on stock speeds for at least 24 hours. If they tell me the memory's fine, well, then I just wasted a few dollars for shipping, and at least I would know for sure the memory's okay.

But when I get new memory back, I won't be putting it in this system exactly, it will have a different motherboard, CPU, and video card. Everything will be running at stock. So then it REALLY shouldn't cause any errors in Memtest at all, correct?

 

[snomunki]

I expected these kinds of responses, everyone telling me to RMA it. But my question was, WHY, when nothing of system performance or stability is affected whatsoever, and the errors are so minimal.

One question, though, could the errors be a result of my CPU overclock? Or does only the memory's speed matter for this?

Does someone need to tell you why you should breathe? Or eat? Or maybe bathe once in awhile? If you are having problems (and you are oc'ing) then return everything back to normal settings and test again. If you still have problems, then you need to make a decision whether you RMA the memory or not. It seems as though you want others to tell you what to do without making a decision yourself. If you are comfortable keeping and using crappy RAM, then by all means, GO FORWARD! SPREAD THY SEED AND MULTIPLY! You shouldn't need someone else to tell you to return crappy computer parts for ones that work properly.

 

[bluestrobe]

Originally posted by: snomunki

I expected these kinds of responses, everyone telling me to RMA it. But my question was, WHY, when nothing of system performance or stability is affected whatsoever, and the errors are so minimal.

One question, though, could the errors be a result of my CPU overclock? Or does only the memory's speed matter for this?

Does someone need to tell you why you should breathe? Or eat? Or maybe bathe once in awhile? If you are having problems (and you are oc'ing) then return everything back to normal settings and test again. If you still have problems, then you need to make a decision whether you RMA the memory or not. It seems as though you want others to tell you what to do without making a decision yourself. If you are comfortable keeping and using crappy RAM, then by all means, GO FORWARD! SPREAD THY SEED AND MULTIPLY! You shouldn't need someone else to tell you to return crappy computer parts for ones that work properly.

Its almost like talking to a 12 year old kid. I don't care for that fact your messed with the memories settings and then when it errors, you want to return it at the cost of the company. I never cared for those who abuse the RMA system.

 

[Azsen]

Originally posted by: archcommusI have it running at 2.8V and whatever "optimal" timings are in the BIOS.

Optimal timings never work properly. Manually set it to 2-2-2-10 and run again at stock CPU speed. Then if it still errors, then RMA it.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Why, its simple. Data corruption can happen. I know this is an extreme example but what if those 3 errors were numbers in an important spreadsheet?

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: bluestrobe

Originally posted by: snomunki

I expected these kinds of responses, everyone telling me to RMA it. But my question was, WHY, when nothing of system performance or stability is affected whatsoever, and the errors are so minimal.

One question, though, could the errors be a result of my CPU overclock? Or does only the memory's speed matter for this?

Does someone need to tell you why you should breathe? Or eat? Or maybe bathe once in awhile? If you are having problems (and you are oc'ing) then return everything back to normal settings and test again. If you still have problems, then you need to make a decision whether you RMA the memory or not. It seems as though you want others to tell you what to do without making a decision yourself. If you are comfortable keeping and using crappy RAM, then by all means, GO FORWARD! SPREAD THY SEED AND MULTIPLY! You shouldn't need someone else to tell you to return crappy computer parts for ones that work properly.

Its almost like talking to a 12 year old kid. I don't care for that fact your messed with the memories settings and then when it errors, you want to return it at the cost of the company. I never cared for those who abuse the RMA system.

You should stop trolling and actually read the thread. I already tested it at stock speeds and default timings and errors still occurred. I'm not abusing the RMA system whatsoever. I have already given all of this information to the RAM Guy and he approved the RMA.

Originally posted by: snomunki

I expected these kinds of responses, everyone telling me to RMA it. But my question was, WHY, when nothing of system performance or stability is affected whatsoever, and the errors are so minimal.

One question, though, could the errors be a result of my CPU overclock? Or does only the memory's speed matter for this?

Does someone need to tell you why you should breathe? Or eat? Or maybe bathe once in awhile? If you are having problems (and you are oc'ing) then return everything back to normal settings and test again. If you still have problems, then you need to make a decision whether you RMA the memory or not. It seems as though you want others to tell you what to do without making a decision yourself. If you are comfortable keeping and using crappy RAM, then by all means, GO FORWARD! SPREAD THY SEED AND MULTIPLY! You shouldn't need someone else to tell you to return crappy computer parts for ones that work properly.

You need a good lesson in reading yourself. As I already stated, possibly more than once, I was not able to get the system to POST at stock speeds. That is why I asked if the CPU overclock could be the source. Simple enough.

 

[snomunki]

I need a good lesson in reading? Hmmm...I'll sign up for a reading class then...it's on my top priority list...no..really...it is...

Glad you finally made a decision... Good Luck!

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: wchou

Originally posted by: archcommus
Bad mobo? This is a possibility for a source of Memtest errors?

I don't know, most other people here seem to have the opinion that it should be able to perform flawlessly in Memtest for 24 hours at stock speeds. Either way I need to make a decision very quickly.

Really? Is it hard to rma? If you think their is a problem and their may not but I think you will feel better if you rma it and see if the next stick do the same. No memory is perfect, all exhibit to certain degree of errors much like burning a dvd. Your cpu has crc error correction built in known as l2 ecc cache checking. a small margin of errors is very good, it will not effect your computer performance or stability unless it's a really bad memory that will cause your computer to crash and reboot so often you just want to take a hammer and end it's life asap. What's these error? It's a hit and miss thing, if they miss they'll just resend it again like your dsl/cable broadband TCP packet with built in error correction.

Shut up, wchou. Plain DDR RAM does not have ECC capabilities.
"l2 ecc cache checking" is for the processor, not the RAM.
One error is too many.

OP, RMA the RAM. You'll never know if that next system crash is caused by your RAM, and why take the chance?

 

[archcommus]

Last night I filled out the RMA request form. Being that today is Memorial Day, I'm sure I won't get a response until tomorrow. But...

I decided last night to try Azsen's suggestion. I set the CPU to 133x13, the memory to 200 MHz, and the timings to 2-2-2-10. It ran for 17 passes without ONE SINGLE ERROR.

So what does this mean? Is it safe to not RMA this memory? Let's look at the past tests:

200x11, memory at 1:1 - 1 error about every two passes, this could've been due to the overclock
133x13, memory at 1:1 - 1 error within minutes, this could've been due to the memory underclock
133x13, memory at 200 MHz with optimal timings - 2 errors in 11 passes, these could've been due to the memory being out of sync with the CPU and with bad timings
133x13, memory at 200 MHz at 2-2-2-10 - 0 errors in 17 passes

So this means either A) my memory is bad and I just got lucky on this last test, or B) there were specific reasons why I got errors on all the past tests, and my memory is actually fine, as indicated by the last test.

I can't decide. I need your opinion. Cancel my RMA request or no?

 

[archcommus]

And to snomunki, sorry for my rude response, but you should be, as well. If you would've read, you would've known that I was not able to POST at stock speeds until just recently. No harsh feelings!

 

[imported_Phil]

Run Memtest for 24 hours. If that passes, you're golden.

 

[archcommus]

How come optimal timings would not be sufficient to pass Memtest? Is it because optimal timings are only "optimal" when the memory is in sync with the CPU?

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: archcommus
How come optimal timings would not be sufficient to pass Memtest? Is it because optimal timings are only "optimal" when the memory is in sync with the CPU?

It's a curious one, I'll grant you 🙂

My thoughts are that you got lucky, or the memory is "on the way out", hence the oddities noticed during your testing. Usually, Optimal timings means that the motherboard sets the timings based on the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) chip on the memory stick itself, which stores the "safe" timings.

If you set the timings to Aggressive (or similar), what results do you get? How about if you set them as high as you possibly can- more or less errors?

Are the modules hot to the touch?

 

[archcommus]

They have heatspreaders, so not really.

Aggressive timings I have not tried, but with optimal I got 2 errors in 11 passes. It seems hard to believe that I "got lucky". I mean, it ran for 12 hours with no errors, that's not really getting lucky, I don't think.

 

[archcommus]

Forget it, I'll just RMA it. This is becoming too frustrating. True, they got no errors on this last test, but for all I know they really SHOULD get no errors with optimal timings, too. And some of the problems I've experienced in the past just seem too obviously memory related - like the computer locking up when I'm transferring huge files from an internal drive to an external while doing a ton of other things at once. I've already talked to RAM Guy, I should get my RMA number soon, might as well just do it so I can stop worrying. The worst that'll happen is they'll send it back to me and tell me it's fine. Then at least I'll know for sure.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Azsen
1024 MB of Corsair TWINX1024-3200XLPRO is that right?

What kind of voltage is the memory getting at 200mhz? Should be getting 2.75v - that's what it's rated at.

What timings have you got the RAM at? 2-2-2-5 you might be asking for trouble on a non-Intel system. Try 2-2-2-10.

Test #6 is the CPU test. So if it's failing that then it's the CPU overclock. Though if it fails at stock speed then yeah there is definitely something wrong with the RAM. Maybe you like random crashes and sporadic reboots, but I sure don't. 😉 RMA it.

Why do default timings never work properly? I know you said to only RMA it if it still errored at 2-2-2-10, and it didn't, however I find it odd that I couldn't use SPD to avoid errors. Also the fact that RAM Guy never suggested anything to me about timings. Makes me think SPD should in theory be fine. That's why I feel it should still be RMAed.

Do you agree, Azsen?

 

[snomunki]

archcommus: I am assuming this is new memory right? Why are you doing memtests to new memory??? If you were having system errors running at stock speed, and then decided to run memtest...then ok. But if not, then why test it? Next... if you overclocked the memory, you may have damaged the memory (I'm sure you understand this). then it is on you, and the memory company is not liable. Bottom line: if you don't feel comfortable with using the memory, RMA it. RMA it or run it... Good Luck!

 

[archcommus]

This is not new memory. I've had it since last fall. I used it fine for awhile, with the CPU at 200x11 and the memory at 1:1, which is STOCK for that memory. Then I started experiencing some locking up and slow reboot issues, which were fixed by removing one stick of the memory. That was my first suspicion. Then I would reinsert the memory and it would stay fine, so I wouldn't worry about it. That's when I started running Memtest and found errors, but decided to wait until now to do anything about it. And now I see that even with stock CPU speeds, the memory errors unless I relax the timings. So an RMA is warranted.