Dodgy crucial ballistix memory (solved)

[robinmarlow]

I've been having a few hard locks recently. If i run a memtest immediately after the lockup I get predictable errors in one of my memory modules.
But if i turn off the computer & let it cool down - it passes.

My case is reasonably well ventilated although there isn't a fan directly onto the memory. When i took the memory out it was warm/hot to the touch - but it was just the one that was failing - the other 3 modules were fine. I'm not overclocking or doing anything else funny.

My question is:
Is it normal for memory to need a fan on it? It has a lifetime guarantee (crucial ballistix) so i can easily send it back but they might find no fault with it unless it gets warm!

[Shotpiece]

Any chance it's PC-3200 DDR? I haven't used any of their DDR2 or higher units, but those DDR Ballistix modules run way too hot. One of my modules failed (probably from heat) and I got a replacement from Crucial.. eventually i added another two identical modules, and everything went to hell, memtest errors all over the place. Directing a fan onto the memory "solved" the problem, so it was definitely a heat issue. Anyway, I replaced them with Corsair XMS and never looked back.

So no, it's not normal for memory to require a fan, although some (like these) do. Since you've singled out the overheating to just one module, I'd at least try to get Crucial to replace that one, it's clearly inferior to the others. Alternatively, you could try undervolting a bit and dropping the frequency, but then you're running underperforming "high-performance" RAM, ridiculous!

[pappy_mcfae]

The heat generated in the CPU isn't caused by the flow of electrons as much as it's caused by the incredibly rapid switching between 1 and 0. The faster the switching, the hotter the chip.

This phenomenon is the same for any digital circuit. It would therefore follow that given fast enough switching, memory chips can get plenty hot. Anyone who has lifted the hood of a recent machine knows that most memory chips now have some sort of heat sink. Anyone who knows anything about thermodynamics and heat transfer knows that where there is a heat sink, a fan makes it work better.

But you need not get that technical. Since you know for a fact that it's a memory issue, replace the module. Whether or not it is technically necessary to cool the memory heat sink(s) (if equipped) of your memory modules, the fact that you know one is heat sensitive should tell you to replace the module.

I've never seen a cooling fan cause problems for a computer, no matter what it was keeping cool. I have a fan on my hard drives in each system, and a fan on the nvidia card in core-too. Since heat is a natural enemy of electronics, it makes sense to keep said enemy at bay, if at all possible.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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[agent_jdh]

I had Crucial Ballistix PC-3200 DDR fail here as well, after ~9 months working. Lifetime warranty though, but the Ballistix was out of stock so they gave me 2 gig of the normal 3-3-3-8 stuff.
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[robinmarlow]

Thanks for the help!

It's DDR2 800. I'm going to ask them to replace it.

That's the second faulty one i've had - good job they've got a lifetime warranty.