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Personally used about an even split of ECC vs. non-ECC RAM over the last ~30 years and can't say I've ever encountered any problems with non-ECC RAM. If it happ
by jsz0 4y ago
Personally used about an even split of ECC vs. non-ECC RAM over the last ~30 years and can't say I've ever encountered any problems with non-ECC RAM. If it happened it was no significance for me to notice. Professionally yeah I've run across a server here and there report bit errors but it was a four leaf clover the of thing. Not unheard of but not common. The more important thing in my experience is using high quality hardware with stable well tested drivers. That is the first practical precaution to consider. If you've got a box full of the cheapest parts you can find on Amazon you got bigger problems to consider before worrying about ECC.
- Dalewyn 4y agoThis kind of comment is the most insightful kind concerning ECC RAM. If you're relying on your computer to be 100% error-free (eg: doing professional work), paying some extra for ECC RAM support isn't even a drop in the bucket. You either do or don't, money isn't an object. If you're Joe Average browsing Hacker News or playing some games at home, who cares if you win the bit flip lottery? Would it be nice for ECC RAM to be more mainstream? Sure. But the fact it is not isn't breaking anyones' backs either.
- rapjr9 4y agoI wonder if lack of ECC is a form of planned obsolescence. It makes the computer cost less, and it insures the computer starts failing after a while as the OS and files get corrupted, making the owner want a new computer. More profit due to both of those. Kind of like using rubber for seals in a car rather than silicone, even though the cost difference is tiny, so owners eventually have to buy a new car.
- adhoc32 4y agoSilent data corruption is silent. ECC should be mandatory just for the error reporting. The system should inform the user that a DIMM has gone bad and needs replacement.