Memtest86+ passes. WIndows 10 has errors and BSODs.

My memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB 4x8GB CMK32GX4M4E4133C19.

I run @ 4000Mhz. 17-17-17-38-2CR. Memtest86+ can run for 24 hours with no errors. Windows 10 Pro also doesn't have any issues running my memory with this speed and timings.

When I run Memtest86+ at 4100 and 4133 with relaxed timings I can also run 24 hours with no errors. However, when I am in Windows 10 Pro I get errors and BSODs that are without a doubt related to my memory speed and/or timings. A good indicator that Windows 10 doesn't like my memory settings is when I run a verify on disk images I have taken. The MD5 hash isn't the same which results in my inability to restore the disk image as it fails in the disk imaging PE environment..

Obviously Memtest86+ is not the definitive test for memory as one might expect. What is it about running the same memory timings and speed in Windows 10 that are causing memory failures while Memtest86+ passes all tests?

BTW.. The only change in my UEFI is memory speed and timings.

dalchina said:

Hi, I don't know which program you're using for disk imaging, but here's Macrium's take on this for interest, if you've not seen it:
Understanding Image Verification Failures - KnowledgeBase v7.2 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase - KnowledgeBase v7.2 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

Does verification of the images fail if run from a different PC?

Are you overclocking at at all?

I use Storagecraft's SPX disk imaging program. The line below from the article you pointed me to probably explains what is happening:

Note: Memory checkers such as 'memtest86' will often fail to find any problems even though there is a latent issue with the RAM.

Even though my RAM is certified to run at 4133 I can only get it to run reliably at 4000 plus a little change. I was just curious why Memtest86+ had no errors but other programs in Windows 10 did.

dalchina said:

There's this too:
Run Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Read Memory Diagnostics Tool Results in Event Viewer in Windows 10 | Tutorials

And again:
Does verification of the images fail if run from a different PC?

Doing a verification from another PC doesn't prove anything. I can verify successfully each and every time at 4000Mhz. I would need a PC that was exactly the same to compare accurately

I've tried the MS memory diagnostic test. It also runs fine at higher memory speeds. The problem with these memory testers is that they are not running in Windows 10 proper.W10 is where I have my problem. Evidently running a memory test like memtest86+ or the MS one is not the same as running under a full blown Windows 10.

I really find this statement

Note: Memory checkers such as 'memtest86' will often fail to find any problems even though there is a latent issue with the RAM.

abhorrent.

How on earth one is able to test MoBo + memory with credible results? Either there is a point of reference somewhere - or there is not.

If it's only under Windows where you observe lack of stability - that's what and where you need to investigate further.

And: do you really (REALLY|) need to OC?

Just my 2p.

Memory modules and their chips and other components are designed for a particular electrical rating which includes things like voltage, timings, temperature.
If you exceed the designed values as you do when overclocking you move into areas which may permanently damage your memory modules and make them unreliable/error.

Tests on memory modules like Memtest86+ are only a guide or indicator. The conditions are a lot different when running Windows 10 and applications. So you would expect differences.

When you run Windows 10 and some intensive application it is very probably that the temperature of the Memory modules is higher thus more likely to error. Entirely expected.

You have just learned something useful.
Specially designed tests and benchmarks are guides, not real scenario definitive measurements.

Your RAM maybe 'certified' by Corsair, but again this is under their conditions and tests. The bottom line is that they are exceeding the electrical ratings of the components involved in these memory modules.

I could not have summed it up in a better way, thanks!

Thanks to all who added to my knowledge of RAM. Subsequent to my OP I set my RAM to 4100Mhz and lo and behold no problems in Windows since yesterday. No BSODs or app crashes. My disk images verify with no errors. It so happens that the latest BIOS I am on adds a few more options for memory. One is for High Frequency Memory which is what I set. Also, the BIOS change log addresses issues for 32GB UDIMM RAM which I happen to have. I could have sworn I tried all of this before with the same BIOS and it didn't work. I have re-flashed the new BIOS so maybe that is why it now works. Next milestone will be 4133 just to see if I can achieve it although there is no real advantage in doing so just bragging rights that I can. Will wait a while though.