RAM testing: What is acceptable error?

[GoodGame]

I've been noticing errors when running some applications, mostly MMO games where I see semi-fatal frame stuttering. I have a new video card that is appropriately powered, so my main thought was either the hard drives (2 of 3 hard drives used for virtual memory at a modest 2 GB per harddrive) or the RAM is starting to "die".

I got the software "BurnInTest" (v7) from Cnet and it confirmed that the RAM was the problem, using a 100% load full system (all components in use) test. In only 10 cycles of testing, the RAM had 5 errors, but no other components had issues.

I did the simplest fix, and re-seated the RAM, after switching slots (2 x 1GB sticks). I then re-ran the RAM test alone, and it took to about 75 cycles of testing to accumulate 2 errors.

Is that acceptable? Since the RAM was slightly overclocked, I was thinking about turning the voltage down and re-testing. But I'm curious what is acceptable for the purpose of non-critical applications.

 

[Zelig]

No number of software detectable RAM errors is acceptable.

 

[GoodGame]

Ok. Well I did turn the voltage down on my RAM, to below manufacturer suggested but at a level that the BIOS defaults to. That makes the RAM run even lower than 800Mhz, but I got zero errors in over 30 cycles of testing, so I guess I'll have to accept that until I buy a better mobo.

 

[Zelig]

I'd really recommend something like memtest86+ for memory testing, rather than something that runs on top of the OS.

 

[illram]

Yeah, use memtest. Although it seems like you already have figured out that you need new RAM anyway.

 

[GoodGame]

Yeah, use memtest. Although it seems like you already have figured out that you need new RAM anyway.

Actually I just needed to buy RAM from a company that didn't lie about it's qualities. Or maybe a new mobo. It's rated at over 800mhz at the proper voltage (requires a slight overclocking of my mobo). My mobo is rated to run ram at up to 800mhz. However both still run at 400MHZ, regardless of what settings I give, so I just turned down the RAM voltage as well and the RAM now passes RAM tests without errors.

I haven't used memtest. I found burnitin to be very user friendly for load testing.

 

[G-Max]

I'd really recommend something like memtest86+ for memory testing, rather than something that runs on top of the OS.

This, this, a million times THIS.