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> Since then I'm very paranoid, always run memtest on any new RAM I buy overnight, and have ECC where it's possible to have it. Yeah, I do the same, but I've l

> Since then I'm very paranoid, always run memtest on any new RAM I buy overnight, and have ECC where it's possible to have it. Yeah, I do the same, but I've learned that you have to do it regularly. In one of my desktop machines, the RAM ran fine for like two years. Then, all of sudden, random Firefox segfaults, etc. Whipped up a memtest ISO, and sure enough, one of the sticks was bad.

dale_glass 4y ago
That's the nice thing about ECC, it acts like an always running memory test. You normally have a scrub time that can be configured in the BIOS, which also adds a regular verification of the entire RAM at regular intervals, just in case something goes wrong in some rarely used part of the memory.
- IYasha 4y ago
  Unfortunately, background scrubbing significantly increases power consumption and impacts performance as well.
  - metadat 4y ago
    Do you want (1) a higher rate of stable and correct computations to be performed at a slightly higher energy cost, or (2) a demonstrably less reliable device at a slightly lower energy efficiency? I'll go for #1 in most cases, as long as the system is to be relied upon for anything deemed important.
    - IYasha 4y ago
      Me too, of course. I'm just highlighting downsides so people know what to expect.
ilyt 4y ago
Weirdly enough I had same case but memory turned out to be fine, replacing power supply fixed the issue. I ran test, saw memory is bad, replaced sticks, same problem, put the sticks back in and decided to just run it (it was gaming PC). Few months later powersupply outright died (had ~8years at that point), replaced it with good one, no memory errors.
- vladvasiliu 4y ago
  In my case it was clearly a bad RAM stick. Took it out, OK. Switched them around: errors. Replaced it with a new one, back to OK. In this particular case, a bad PSU would be the end of the PC. It's an HP dekstop mini. Basically a laptop without a screen, powered by and external adaptor that puts out a single 12V line. All further conversions are done on the motherboard somehow.

dale_glass 4y ago

That's the nice thing about ECC, it acts like an always running memory test. You normally have a scrub time that can be configured in the BIOS, which also adds a regular verification of the entire RAM at regular intervals, just in case something goes wrong in some rarely used part of the memory.

IYasha 4y ago
Unfortunately, background scrubbing significantly increases power consumption and impacts performance as well.
- metadat 4y ago
  Do you want (1) a higher rate of stable and correct computations to be performed at a slightly higher energy cost, or (2) a demonstrably less reliable device at a slightly lower energy efficiency? I'll go for #1 in most cases, as long as the system is to be relied upon for anything deemed important.
  - IYasha 4y ago
    Me too, of course. I'm just highlighting downsides so people know what to expect.

ilyt 4y ago

Weirdly enough I had same case but memory turned out to be fine, replacing power supply fixed the issue. I ran test, saw memory is bad, replaced sticks, same problem, put the sticks back in and decided to just run it (it was gaming PC). Few months later powersupply outright died (had ~8years at that point), replaced it with good one, no memory errors.

vladvasiliu 4y ago
In my case it was clearly a bad RAM stick. Took it out, OK. Switched them around: errors. Replaced it with a new one, back to OK. In this particular case, a bad PSU would be the end of the PC. It's an HP dekstop mini. Basically a laptop without a screen, powered by and external adaptor that puts out a single 12V line. All further conversions are done on the motherboard somehow.