RAM is a critical component that ensures proper system operation. Simply put, RAM is short-term memory, where your system stores information while you are working on your current task. Therefore, defective memory can have a devastating effect on your work. RAM usually outlasts the rest of the components in the system, unless most of the time you’re transitioning from an older standard to a newer one, like DDR4 to DDR5. RAM failures are rare, but they do happen. Like any other part of your computer, even the best RAM will eventually fail, so you need to know what to do when it fails.
RAM usually does not die abruptly. There are often early signs of a failing or bad DIMM. But yes, it’s not uncommon to receive DOA (Dead on Arrival) RAM, just like any other PC component. Common symptoms of bad RAM include random blue screens (BSOD), system crashes or reboots, operating system freezes, and low memory. Worst case scenario, the system won’t even post and beep repeatedly to welcome you.
Before running diagnostics on your RAM, you should ensure that your RAM is running at the standard default frequency. Many customers are running Intel XMP 3.0 or AMD EXPO memory kits, so it’s a good idea to distinguish between flaky memory overclocks and defective DIMMs. Unstable overclocking can cause symptoms similar to RAM failure. Therefore, the first step in detecting faulty memory is to restore the system to factory defaults. This can be done by resetting the firmware to default within his BIOS on the motherboard, or by pressing the dedicated “Clear CMOS” button on some motherboards from the back panel.
I don’t think anyone uses a single DIMM in a system these days. In most cases, use at least a dual channel configuration. In scenarios with multiple DIMMs, it is easier to diagnose each DIMM individually. Otherwise, even if the software returns an error, I have no idea which her DIMM is the culprit. In other words, it becomes an elimination process. As far as we know, there is only one software on the market that can pinpoint exactly which specific DIMM has a faulty Integrated Circuit (IC). More on this later.
The best software to get rid of defective RAM depends on who you ask. In our experience, testing the RAM with at least two different programs is sufficient. One piece of software might not detect a faulty DIMM, but it’s unlikely to fool two testers. Of course, a negative result doesn’t hurt as a third opinion if you still have a strong suspicion that the DIMM is bad. All the software we put together is free. Payment unlocks additional options, but the basic version is sufficient to diagnose bad DIMMs. You have other options. Coincidentally, software for detecting faulty DIMMs is also popular with overclockers to assess the stability of memory overclocking. This article uses DDR5, but the guide is also valid for older formats such as his DDR4 and earlier.
How to test RAM with HCI Memtest
HCI Memtest is one of the simplest and easiest software to detect RAM errors. Unfortunately, the base version only has one user-changeable section where you enter the amount of RAM to test, and the software does the rest. One of its limitations is that you can only test between 2GB and 3.5GB of RAM per instance. This can become cumbersome when testing processors with a significant amount of RAM or a large number of threads.
For optimal testing, we recommend testing the total amount of RAM split across all threads from the processor. This means opening in a Memtest instance per thread. Admittedly, testing RAM on a processor with many threads can be tedious. However, the Pro version of HCI Memtest costs just $5 and the entire process is automated. Additionally, some wrappers can do similar functionality in their free versions if you google them.
1. download HCI Memtest (opens in new tab) Extract content from ZIP files.
2. Run memtest.exe.. is the only executable in the folder, so you can’t go wrong.
3. Open Windows Task Manager Be aware of available free RAM.
Four. split free amount RAM by the total number of threads from the processor.
Five. Open Number of Memtest Instances Equal to the threads of the processor and populate each instance with the result of the last step.
For example, I am testing a 16GB DDR5 DIMM on a Core i9-13900K system. Since the processor has 32 threads, I ran 32 instances of Memtest. I have about 13.79GB free, which equates to 431MB per instance.
A complete pass takes about an hour, depending on your processor and amount of memory. However, one or two passes are enough to isolate the faulty RAM.
How to test RAM with TestMem 5
TestMem’s history dates back to the days of DOS. The program debuted in his 1998 and has evolved considerably over the years. This program is now in its fifth version. TestMem 5 comes with 16 tests that the user can freely modify. The software is very lightweight and has a minimal interface that is very beginner-friendly. Unlike HCI Memtest, TestMem 5 is completely free.
TestMem 5 supports custom user configurations, opening the door to endless testing options. In the meantime, user Anta777’s Extreme and Absolut presets are popular among enthusiasts and overclockers.
1. download test memory 5 (opens in new tab) Extract the ZIP file to your desktop.
2. right click and run A “TM5” executable with administrator privileges.
3. Press “Load settings and exit” Click the button to load a preset. You can download various user presets from MemTestHelper. GitHub page (opens in new tab).
Four. Once the preset is loaded, TestMem 5 exits. Rerunning with administrator privileges will activate the new presets.
TestMem 5 takes about 25-30 minutes to complete one cycle with 16 GB of RAM. The generally accepted standard is 3 cycles, corresponding to 1.5 to 2 hours of operation.
How to test RAM with Passmark MemTest86
PassMark’s MemTest86 is a reliable tool for testing memory without the need for an operating system. That means it works on Windows machines and Linux computers. It runs from a bootable USB stick, looks complicated but is very easy to use.
MemTest86 is currently the only software that can indicate faulty DIMMs or DIMMs even if all memory slots are populated. It’s a paid feature. Currently supported only on select platforms utilizing DDR5 memory.
1. download PassMark MemTest86 (opens in new tab).
2. Extract content to folder on your desktop.
3. Insert USB stick to your PC. Backup your data as PassMark’s tool will format the USB stick.
Four. Run The “imageUSB” executable.
Five. Choose the correct USB drive and press the “Write” button.
6. Please restart your computer, F2, Del, F8, F10 or whatever key your system uses to enter the boot menu. displayed on the posting screen.
7. boot from a USB stick.
8. Select the “Settings” button Use your keyboard or mouse to move to the right.
9. Select the “(S)tart test” option Start the test on the Memtest86 home screen.
Now run your tests until the application completes or you see an error. You can monitor the progress of the test at the top of the screen. Depending on the capacity of the DIMMs, the test can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. If you get an error, there is no point in continuing the test.
How to test RAM with Google Stressful Application Test (GSAT)
For Linux users, the Google Stressful Application Test (GSAT) is a great tool for diagnosing memory errors. Alternatively, you can run GSAT on Windows using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). However, it does not have the same effect, so using GSAT in the native environment is recommended.
1. open terminal Download and install GSAT using the following command: sudo apt-get install stressapptest
2. Once installed, Start GSAT with the following command: stressapptest -W -s 3600.
The -W argument asks GSAT to use a more stressful memory copy to the processor. The -s argument, on the other hand, represents the number of seconds to run the tool. Unlike other software based on paths or cycles, GSAT runs according to a specified time. One to two hours is usually sufficient to assess whether there are bad DIMMs.
What should I do if my RAM is bad?
No errors: Congratulations! Your memory is working fine. However, if BSODs and other issues continue to plague your system, the problem lies elsewhere. The only way to fix a faulty DIMM is to replace it with a working one. Technically, a DIMM can be repaired by replacing the defective IC with a new one. However, this is not a procedure for the average consumer. Luckily, most, if not all, RAM comes with a limited lifetime warranty. So the first thing to do is contact the manufacturer and request his RMA.
If you’re using RAM within the vendor’s specs, RMA’s should be fine. If for some reason your RMA was rejected and you need to buy a replacement with your own money, we keep an updated tier of the fastest DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits for the latest Intel and AMD processors.
