Ddr4 Memory Tester

[Marcelene Vasconez]

Totest a module, identify it and do a speed verification, simply turn on the RAMCHECK LX memory tester, insert a memory module into the test socket, then press the Start button. Since there are no complex setup processes to master, the RAMCHECK LX memory tester can be used "out of the box." For more advanced testing, you you can also customize the test parameters.

The RAMCHECK tester relies on a powerful high-frequency test engine. With its proven test algorithms and modular, expandable design, RAMCHECK LX delivers fast, superior memory testing at an affordable price.

The RAMCHECK memory tester is also simple to upgrade, with free firmware upgrades available via the Internet. A PC software program is also included, allowing you to print and log the test results and edit SPD data.

The RAMCHECK LX DDR4 RAM checker can test and identify a 8GB DDR4 DIMM in less than a minute. It's also simple to use, featuring a bright, vivid display easily visible from any angle, plus a fast USB connection to your PC for printing test results.

If you are using a motherboard to test memory you know that it can take hours or even days. Conflicts between the memory and the motherboard can make it appear that the memory is faulty, yet the memory may work just fine in another computer. Worse, the memory sockets on PC motherboards are not meant for repeated insertion/removal of modules and will quickly break! The RAMCHECK LX memory tester will test and identify your memory module in just seconds. It uses rugged sockets made specifically for high-volume memory testing that will last for thousands of cycles. You won't have to wade through a lengthy set-up process.

A high-quality memory tester is an important investment that will pay big dividends in time and cost savings. When you purchase RAMCHECK LX, you're in great company! For more than 25 years, thousands of companies, schools and government agencies around the world have relied upon our memory testers, including most Fortune 500 companies. Learn more about why RAMCHECK is your best choice for memory testing.

Many optional test adapters are available for the RAMCHECK LX for a wide range of memory formats, including DDR3, DDR2 and DDR1 SODIMM laptop memory modules, LR-DIMM, LO-DIMM, 144p SO-DIMM, Sun memory, 30 and 72-pin SIMMs, laser printer memory, DDR chips and much more.

RAM is a crucial component that ensures a system's correct operation. Simply put, RAM is equivalent to short-term memory, where your system stores information while working on a current task. Therefore, defective memory can have a catastrophic impact on your work. In most cases, RAM typically outlasts the rest of the components inside your system, unless you're transitioning from an old standard to a new one, like DDR4 to DDR5. It's rare for RAM to fail, but it does happen. Like any computer part, even the best RAM will eventually fail, so you'll want to know what to do when it happens to you.

RAM doesn't usually stop working out of the blue. Often, there are early signs of a failing or faulty DIMM. But yes, receiving DOA (dead on arrival) RAM isn't uncommon, like any other PC component. General symptoms of bad RAM include random blue screens of death (BSOD), system crashes or restarts, operating system freezes, and missing memory. In a worst-case scenario, your system might not even post and welcome you with multiple beeps.

Before running any diagnostics on your RAM, you should ensure it's running at the stock default frequency. Many of you are running Intel XMP 3.0 or AMD EXPO memory kits, so it's best to differentiate between an unstable memory overclock from a defective DIMM or DIMMs. A shaky overclock causes similar symptoms as faulty RAM. Therefore, the first step to detecting faulty memory is to return your system to the factory default. You can do so by resetting the firmware to default inside your motherboard's BIOS or pressing some motherboards' dedicated "Clear CMOS" button from the rear panel.

The best software for weeding out defective RAM depends on who you ask. From our experience, testing your RAM with at least two different programs should be sufficient. The odds of one software not detecting the faulty DIMM are present, but it's unlikely to fool two testers. Of course, if your results come back negative, but you still have heavy suspicions that you have a bad DIMM, it wouldn't hurt to as for a third opinion. All the software that we're rounded up is free. Payment unlocks additional options, but the basic version is more than enough for diagnosing bad DIMMs. There are other options out there too. Coincidentally, the software for detecting faulty DIMMs is also popular for overclockers evaluating the stability of memory overclocks. Although we're using DDR5 for the article, the guide is still valid on older formats, such as DDR4 and prior.

HCI Memtest is one of the simplest and easiest software for detecting errors with RAM. Unfortunately, the basic version only has one user-modifiable section where you input the amount of RAM to test, and the software does the rest. One of its limitations is that it can only test 2GB to 3.5GB of RAM per instance, which can be a nuisance when testing considerable amounts of RAM or a processor with lots of threads.

For optimal testing, it's best to test the total amount of RAM split across all the threads from a processor. This means opening on Memtest instance per thread. Admittedly, testing RAM with processors with many threads becomes a nuisance. However, the Pro version of HCI Memtest costs a mere $5 and automates the whole process. Furthermore, some wrappers can do a similar job with the free version if you Google them.

TestMem dates back to the DOS days. The program debuted in 1998 and has evolved quite a bit over the years. The program is currently on its fifth version. TestMem 5 comes with 16 tests, which users can modify to their heart's content. The software is very lightweight and has a minimalistic interface that's very friendly to beginners. Unlike HCI Memtest, TestMem 5 is entirely free.

TestMem 5 supports custom user configurations, opening the doors to infinite testing options. In the meantime, the Extreme and Absolut presets from user Anta777 are the favorite among enthusiasts and overclockers.

PassMark's MemTest86 is a reliable tool for testing memory without the need for an operating system, meaning it will work on Windows machines as well as Linux computers. It runs off a bootable USB stick, and although it looks complicated, it is very straightforward to use.

MemTest86 is presently the only software that can indicate the faulty DIMM or DIMMs, even if all your memory slots are populated. It's a paid feature, though. In its current state, it's only supported on select platforms leveraging DDR5 memory.

Now let the application run the test until completion or until errors appear. You can monitor the progress of the test at the top of the screen. Testing can take 20 minutes to a few hours, depending on the capacity of your DIMM. If errors appear, there is no point in continuing testing.

For Linux users, the Google Stressful Application Test (GSAT) is an excellent tool for diagnosing memory errors. Alternatively, you can run GSAT in Windows using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). However, it doesn't have the same effect, which is why we so we recommend using GSAT in its native environment.

The -W argument asks GSAT to utilize a more stressful memory copy for the processor. Meanwhile, the -s argument refers to the number of seconds to run the tool. Unlike other software based on passes or cycles, GSAT runs according to your specified time. On the norm, one to two hours are more than adequate to assess whether you have a bad DIMM.

If you didn't get any errors: congratulations. Your memory is in working order. However, if BSODs and other problems continue to plague your system, the problem lies elsewhere. The only way to solve a faulty DIMM issue is to replace it with a working one. Technically, you can repair DIMMs by swapping the defective ICs for fresh ones. However, it's not a procedure for the average consumer. Luckily, the majority, if not all, RAM comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Therefore, the first thing you should do is contact the manufacturer and request an RMA.

The RMA should go through without hiccups if you've been using your RAM within the vendor's specifications. If, for some reason, your RMA is denied and you need to buy a replacement with your own money, we keep an updated hierarchy of the fastest DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits for the latest Intel and AMD processors.

We are working on a custom board for TDA4VM using the same DDR4 memory as in the EVM. To validate our design (specially due to PCB routing) we would like to know if there is any SW tool that can provide some insight on its performance.

Regarding software tools, the Linux SDK should include memtester which could be executed. I am not aware of any other software tools that get wrapped into deliverables published on ti.com at this time.

HOUSTON, May 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- INNOVENTIONS, Inc., the leading manufacturer of portable computer memory testers, is now shipping the RAMCHECK LX DDR4 and the RAMCHECK LX DDR4 Pro for testing and identifying industry standard DDR4 ECC and non-ECC SDRAM modules.

"DDR4 memory is now the standard for servers and PCs," said Dr. David Y. Feinstein, President of INNOVENTIONS. "With these new RAMCHECK LX memory testers, data centers, memory dealers and repair techs have a great tool to test and identify DDR4 DIMMs quickly and reliably. Considering the price of these big server DIMMs, the RAMCHECK LX pays for itself pretty quickly."

Both the RAMCHECK LX DDR4 (p/n INN-8686-DDR4) and DDR4 Pro tester (p/n INN-8686-DDR4-PRO) test and identify JEDEC-compliant registered and unbuffered DDR4 DIMMs. No special setup is required. The RAMCHECK LX DDR4 includes a complimentary 288-pin test head featuring a high-quality production socket, while the RAMCHECK LX DDR4 Pro includes a rugged 288-pin Low Insertion Force (LIF) socket for high-volume testing. Test heads for SO-DIMM are under development and will be available soon.

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