Use of ECC memory modules

[wpshooter]

If I am NOT running a server and if I am NOT even doing anything of a CRITICAL nature with my computer, do I have better chances of having LESS memory problems and thus other problems triggered by the memory problems, if I run ECC memory on my computer as opposed to running non-ECC memory(assuming of course, that it is capable of running ECC memory) ?

And yes, I know I may lose some speed/performance.

Thanks.

 

[Mark R]

It's common that many motherboard manufacturers leave out the ECC function unless they are making server or workstation boards. Typical PC boards often don't support ECC, so the RAM will just work like normal RAM.

However, if you have a workstation board with ECC RAM, then yes your system will be protected from the rare RAM corruptions due to radiation (about 1 byte gets corrupted per GB per year). In the event of a RAM module developing a fault, then the ECC will ensure that your PC BSODs instantly with an ECC error, rather than continuing to run in an unstable fashion.

 

[QuixoticOne]

ECC would be lovely if it was standard and low cost on desktop platforms. It is not really cost effective unless you only need a small amount and can find a good deal on a server board that is compatible with it. Is it useful to do so? Well if you run any programs / OS that you'd like to have in continuous operation without a glitch / corruption for more than several weeks at a time, then maybe it is worth it to you. If you can survive the odd crash / data corruption incident every several weeks then it is probably not worth it.

 

[Blain]

My experience is that ECC memory will not work in a non-ECC supported MB.