PassMark’s MemTest86 is a comprehensive, free, standalone memory diagnostic tool designed to stress-test the random access memory (RAM) of x86-compatible computers for errors.
MemTest86 boots from a USB flash drive and tests the RAM in your computer for faults using a series of comprehensive algorithms and test patterns. It tries to verify that the RAM will accept and correctly retain arbitrary patterns of data written to it.
Memtest86 writes a series of test patterns to every memory address, reads back the data written, and compares it for errors. Using information about the chipset you can enhance these tests โ particularly in an overclocked system.
PassMark Memtest86 Main Features:
- 13 different RAM testing algorithms
- DDR4 RAM (and DDR2 and DDR3) support
- XMP โ high-performance memory profiles
- UEFI โ The new graphical standard for BIOS
- 64bit โ From version 5, MemTest86 is native 64bit code
- ECC RAM โ support for error-correcting code RAM
- Secure boot โ With MemTest86 being code signed by Microsoft
- Graphical interface, mouse support, and logging of results to disk
- Foreign language support (Chinese, German, and more)
- Self-booting off USB, without needing DOS, Linux, or Windows
- Network (PXE) boot โ Scalable, disk-less provisioning from a single PXE server
Unreliable RAM can lead to many issues, including data corruption, crashes, and unpredictable behavior. Faulty RAM is notoriously difficult to diagnose due to its intermittent and often subtle symptoms. MemTest86 can help identify faulty RAM or rule it out as a cause of system instability. As a result, it’s widely used by system builders, PC repair shops, overclockers, and PC manufacturers.
The number 86 following the MemTest part of the name, refers to the original x86 CPU instruction set that all of todayโs PCs use. This covers both 32-bit and 64-bit machines. (So there is no need for a future product called MemTest64).
Free, Professional, or Site Edition
Since version 5, MemTest86 has been available in a free edition and paid Pro and Site editions. The Pro edition offers additional features such as customizable reports and configuration file automation. The Site edition includes all Pro features and supports scalable deployment of MemTest86 across LAN via PXE boot.
MemTest86 supports booting from the newer UEFI platform.
When booting from UEFI, MemTest86 has access to additional services not available in BIOS including:
- Native 64-bit support
- It no longer requires the PAE workaround to access more than 4GB of memory. (PAE = Physical Address Extension)
- Mouse support is available where the underlying UEFI system supports it. On older systems, a keyboard is still required.
- Improved USB keyboard support means that keyboards will now work on systems that do not correctly emulate IO Port 64/60. This includes support for Mac USB keyboards.
- Improved multi-threading support is available on systems with underlying UEFI functionality that allows for it.
- Reporting of detailed RAM SPD information. Timings, clock speeds, vendor names, and much more.
- Added support for writing to the USB drive where MemTest86 is running, enabling logging and report generation. Previous MemTest86 releases did not include disk support.
- Use of GPT. (GUID Partition Table)
- ECC RAM support (limited hardware support, ongoing development)
- Detection of ECC support in both the RAM and memory controller
- Polling for ECC errors
- Injection of ECC errors for test purposes. (limited hardware only)
- Support for DDR4 RAM (and associated hardware), including retrieval and reporting of DDR4-specific SPD details. This includes DDR4 RAM that supports Intel XMP 2.0 DDR4 RAM timings
- Option to disable CPU caching for all tests
- Support for Secure Boot.
- Speed improvements range from 10% to over 30%, particularly for tests #5, #8, and #9. These enhancements result from transitioning to native 64-bit code, eliminating the PAE paging hack, updating compilers, and implementing faster random number generation algorithms.
- The addition of two new memory tests leverages 64-bit data and SIMD instructions.
- Support for network PXE boot for scalable, diskless deployment to multiple targets
System Requirements:
- x86 based hardware, 32bit or 64bit
- UEFI platform firmware
- Windows, Linux, or Mac OS
- USB Flash Drive (>= 512MB capacity)
Notes:
- IMPORTANT: MemTest86 V8 images support only UEFI boot. On machines that donโt support UEFI, MemTest86 will not boot. Please download the older V4 BIOS release of MemTest86 instead.
- Installation and usage instructions are available on the Technical Information page.
- MemTest86 is a stand-alone program that does not require or use any operating system for execution. The version of Windows, Linux, or Mac being used is irrelevant for execution. However, you must use either Windows, Linux, or Mac to create a bootable USB drive.
Size: 11.5 MB