Memtest86+ 8.0 has arrived, and I’m afraid to use it
Memtest86+ 8.0 is here, but is now the time to stress test memory?
Memtest86+ version 8.0 has been released, a new update for the open-source memory tester. This is the go-to tool for DRAM stress testing and error-finding, being operable outside of a PC’s OS on both UEFI and legacy BIOS systems. That said, given how expensive memory has become, I’m now afraid to use it.
Version 8.0 delivers support for the “latest AMD” and “latest Intel” CPUs, and a huge range of other improvements. It is currently unknown what these “latest” CPUs are, as Memtest86+ already supports AMD and Intel’s current-generation Zen 5 and Arrow Lake CPUs.
One major improvement for users is having a single binary that works on UEFI and older BIOS systems. DDR5 DRAM temperature reporting has also been added. Below are the tool’s change notes.
- Add support for latest Intel CPUs
- Add support for latest AMD CPUs
- Faster detection for many-cores CPUs
- Added Temperature reporting on DDR5
- Added optional Dark Mode
- Fix DDR5 XMP 3.0 issue
- Better BadRAM support and reporting
- Better SPD detection on early ICHs
- Better support for VTxxx serial console
- Various refinements for Loongson µarch
- Bug fixes & optimizations
Why I’m afraid to use Memtest86+
I’ll start by saying that there is nothing wrong with Memtest86+; it’s a hugely valuable tool, and having the ability to stress-test memory outside an OS environment is fantastic. So why am I afraid to use it? Well… look at the cost of new memory kits. DDR5 memory prices have more than doubled over the past month. For many, DDR5 memory has become one of the most expensive parts of their systems. £80-90 32GB DDR5 memory kits now cost over £200. That fact alone makes me anxious about putting any of my memory under unnecessary stress tests.
As much as I appreciate having a thoroughly stress-tested system, I’m not eager to punish one of my system’s most expensive components unnecessarily.
You can join the discussion on Memtest86+ version 8.0 on the OC3D Forums.
