Hi guys -
Is memtest(86) still the preferred way to check desktop RAM?
Can memtest(86) check all 6 modules even if only 4 show up in the BIOS (info screen)?
core i7 980X
MSI BigBang X-Power X-58
24G (6 X 4G) of G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL9T-12GBRL @ 533MHz 1.5V
CR-2 7-7-7-19
I never mess with the timings much but sometimes CR1 and 7-7-7-18 gets me to 24G. Not always. Generally CR2 7-7-7-19 works fine.
Apparently missing RAM on boot up is - or was - a common problem on core i7. On my X58 desktop it happens often. Rebooting "fixes" the issue but today the computer froze twice for no apparent reason. On reboot the board read "D4," which is "initialize memory." After a few more reboots it made it to Windows but only with 16G of RAM. No amount of tweaking (CR, DRAM voltage, timings) produced 24G; best I could get was 16G.
I'd like to check all 6 modules at the same time. Can I do that with memtest(86), even if only 4 are showing up in Windows (and the BIOS)?
[edit: there's a 12G (3x4GB) kit on ebay, used, for $49, ships from Hong Kong, 4-6 weeks. Price is good and I can wait...but ... used RAM? Not so sure that's a good idea...anyone ever buy used RAM off ebay before?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/384201967136?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=384201967136&targetid=885285326120&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9067609&poi=&campaignid=1669934603&mkgroupid=97005064294&rlsatarget=pla-885285326120&abcId=1123856&merchantid=6296724&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnueFBhChARIsAPu3YkSqrq7ALzTEPaItJKoYXKEXdWZP11zl6L3dmk_xgQ8c0KcX5c7FO8MaAkIuEALw_wcB ]
Thanks for any thoughts or advice!