What does it mean if on 1 of 4 times running memtest86+ an error came up?

[Fadardo]

When I used to have my memory at stock frequency I ran memtest86+ 4 seprate times for about 8-10 hours each time. THe first time I ran it, i got an error in a certain location in memory, but having run it 3 more times I never can get anymore errors.

Is my ram bad? what does this mean?


(since then I've had my memory overclocked for 1 month at 885mhz and although I haven't run tests its seemed stable)

 

[brencat]

So based on your sig, if you are @ 2.65ghz, I'm going to assume you are ~ 295 FSB, which means you are running your RAM on the 2:3 divider, correct?

What RAM timings, vDIMM, and vMCH are you currently using?

Also, you should run Orthos Large mode for at least 3 hrs too if you haven't done so. Large FFTs will put maximum stress on your RAM. During my recent OCing and testing, I had 2 instances where I passed memtest86+ after running for 22+ hours, but failed Orthos Large within 15 mins.

And when you're all done with both CPU OCing and RAM OCing individually, run Orthos Blend for at least 8 hours to test the system for total stability.

 

[Fadardo]

brencat you are right about the 295fsb and the 2:3

I'm overclocked now but these tests and problems occured on stock voltage about stock memory and cpu speeds so I'm asking about that at stock.

these were my settings at stock: Memory - OCZ DDR2 800 Platinum Revision2 (PROmos Chip based) Rated at 400mhz 4-4-4-15 @1.9-2.1v but running at 400mhz 5-5-5-15 @2.0v

Also, sometimes When I start the computer up (maybe 3% of the time) I get a the memory error beep code in POST, but simply hitting the restart button and the system boots properly.

 

[The-Noid]

Raise the voltage to 2.1. Raise the vMCH voltage by +.1v.

If that doesn't work it is time to RMA the ram.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: Fadardo
I'm overclocked now but these tests and problems occured on stock voltage about stock memory and cpu speeds so I'm asking about that at stock.

You shouldn't OC unless you're sure your CPU and RAM are error free at stock. And when I say stock on RAM, I don't mean on the 2:3 divider, I mean 1:1.

I recommend the following:

- Leave CPU OC as is @ 295 FSB, but go back to 5-5-5-15, 2.0v, @ 1:1 divider & stock vMCH. Run memtest86 overnight (for at least 10 full loops - every test, not just #5 & 8). Then run Orthos Large mode for at least 2 hrs.

- If you fail either memtest or Orthos Large at any point, raise vDIMM to 2.05v and retest. If fails again, raise vDIMM to 2.1v and vMCH up by 0.1v as Yoxxy stated and retest yet again. If you can't pass this then it's definitely RMA time.

Assuming you pass 1:1 okay, THEN you can work your way up the dividers if you want, testing methodically per above method. Frankly, if I were you, I'd skip the 2:3 divider and concentrate on getting your CPU to 333 FSB which would put you at 3ghz. Then you can use the 5:6 divider and run the RAM at rated speed of 400mhz.

Good luck. Let us know how you make out.

 

[ryderOCZ]

Originally posted by: Fadardo(since then I've had my memory overclocked for 1 month at 885mhz and although I haven't run tests its seemed stable)

If your memory has been running at 885 for the last month with no crashes, then the ram is not bad.

 

[sutahz]

Sounds like it could be something wrong w/ the mobo (NB).. possibly. The error and the POST bad ram thing... Maybe its just not seated 100%.
To test his ram at stock and be 1:1, he'd need to set the FSB to 400 and his multi to 6 (slight OC on his cpu, no biggie).. but to do that he'd need to bump his MCH (Vnb), but maybe not. It doesnt matter if he tests his ram on a divider. The ram see's 400MHz, and thats all that matters.

$65 Gold Contact Quadruple Layer Shielded Nitrogen injected dielectric MONSTER USB Printer Cable which offers 2x printing speed and more accurate colour reproduction.
When I read this the first time, I thought it was a joke. Upon reading it a second time (and reading monster as the brand name and not a description) I realized your being serious... wow, buy it from Best Buy?

Do 12hrs of memtest, and 12hr of Orthos/Prime95 (whichever you like best) and call it a day.

i see now brencat.

 

[Fadardo]

Okay I'll try out the stuff you guys have said and get back to you.

The Monster Cable thing is a joke. However about 3 years ago I did buy 70 dollars worth of 50ft rj6 Monster cabling to hook my pc tv tuner up to my cable box. =(
And your assumption about Bestbuy is close to the truth, seeing as I bought it from Futureshop which is owned by BestBuy.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: sutahz
To test his ram at stock and be 1:1, he'd need to set the FSB to 400 and his multi to 6 (slight OC on his cpu, no biggie).. but to do that he'd need to bump his MCH (Vnb), but maybe not. It doesnt matter if he tests his ram on a divider. The ram see's 400MHz, and thats all that matters.

I think you misunderstood me. He'll continue to run the CPU at 295 x 9, but run the RAM underclocked also at 295mhz (i.e. 1:1) until he's sure there are no errors at even this slower speed.

 

[Fadardo]

Well i set my ram for 1:1 ratio with fsb at 295mhz (cpu 2650mhz, tjunction @ ~60C full load on Orthos small tff)
I've run Orthos Small, Large & Blend for each 4 hours a piece with no errors.
I ran memtest86+ 1.70 for 10 hours with zero errors.

So I tried to increase fsb to 310mhz with 1:1 memory timings (cpu 2790mhz, tjunction @~67C full load on Orthos small tff after 20 minutes)
I ran Orthos small, large & blend again for 4 hours each with no errors.
And I ran memtest86+ for 10 hours again with no errors.

I decided to change my fsb/memory ratio to 4:5 388.5mhz (777) though the Timings were autoset by the mobo at 4-5-5-13 and I can't manually change the timings in bios.
Unfortunately it wasn't stable and the system would restart a minute or 2 after entering windowsXP every single time I started the computer.

I tried fiddling with votage for the cpu/memory/northbridge but it didn't create stability, so I had to go back down to 1:1 mem ratio.

Its kind of funnymy ram is rated for 4-4-4-15 400mhz, but can't run 4-5-5-13 388.5mhz.

 

[Fadardo]

Would increasing memory voltage make my memory run tighter timings?

 

[brencat]

I'm quite certain you can manually change the timings. Check your mobo manual.

Also, what bios version are you using with that board?

 

[Fadardo]

My bios version is American megatrends v1.3

Your right I can change the timings on my memory. I just had to turn autotiming off to see the ras, cas, etc options.

I set loosened my timings to 6-6-6-15, increased the mem voltage from 2.1v to 2.2v and raise my mch an additional +0.15v.

But my system failed to post so I had to revert back to factory default.

 

[Fadardo]

I've read some reviews and unlike most other p965s mine sucks at overclocking.

It looks like it was an intentional weakness MSI put in the board to distinguish itself from the more expensive enthusiast boards