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To check whether RAM could be behind game crashes, start with Windows Memory Diagnostic. If it reports errors—or crashes continue—run a bootable test such as PassMark MemTest86, then isolate modules and settings before deciding what needs repair. A game crash or a memory-related stop code is a reason to investigate, not proof that a RAM stick is faulty.
Could faulty RAM be causing game crashes?
It can, but crashes have many possible causes. A game closing to desktop, a system restart, or a blue-screen stop code such as MEMORY_MANAGEMENT does not identify RAM as the culprit. Microsoft says unexpected restarts can result from a hardware device, its driver, or software, and recommends checking system records for errors near the event. See Microsoft’s guidance for troubleshooting unexpected restarts and stop-code errors.
Before testing, note whether the whole PC reboots or only one game exits. Record any stop code, error message, named driver or module, and when the failure occurs. These clues help distinguish a system-wide stability problem from a game-specific fault; they are not a diagnosis by themselves.
Choose a memory test
| Test | How it runs | Getting and interpreting results | Setup and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Memory Diagnostic | Built into Windows; runs after a restart. | After Windows starts again, check Event Viewer’s System log for MemoryDiagnostics-Results. |
No separate boot media. Microsoft documents the result-checking process; labels can vary by Windows release. Microsoft Learn |
| PassMark MemTest86 | Boots from USB and tests without an operating system. | Follow the current tool’s on-screen and official instructions. A result can indicate instability, but does not by itself identify a defective component. | PassMark lists free and paid editions; a basic check does not require buying a paid edition. You must create bootable media. PassMark MemTest86 |
| Memtest86+ | Separate open-source bootable memory tester. | Use it as an independent test; module isolation requires testing different hardware configurations individually. | Its binary is not signed by Microsoft, so Secure Boot may need to be temporarily disabled if firmware blocks startup. Check the Memtest86+ project FAQ and site for current instructions. |
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
- In Windows, search for Windows Memory Diagnostic or Memory, then open the utility. The exact search result label may differ by Windows release.
- Choose the offered option to restart and check for memory problems. Save your work first; the PC restarts to run the test.
- After Windows starts again, open Event Viewer, expand Windows Logs, select System, and find the
MemoryDiagnostics-Resultsentry. Microsoft documents checking this event to see the test result: Bug Checks (Stop Code Errors).
If the result indicates a problem, or the test is clean but system crashes persist, use a bootable tester for another check. A Windows test result is evidence to weigh alongside the symptoms and other system records.
#1 Best Overall
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Test RAM with PassMark MemTest86 from USB
MemTest86 is PassMark’s standalone memory tester. It starts from USB rather than inside Windows, allowing it to test memory without the operating system running. PassMark provides a free edition as well as separate Pro and Site editions; see its official site for the current edition details and instructions.
- Read PassMark’s current instructions and obtain the appropriate MemTest86 image and USB-writing utility from its official site.
- Back up anything on the USB drive you intend to use. Writing bootable media formats the selected drive and can erase its contents. Double-check the drive selection before proceeding; a secondary guide also cautions that this process formats the drive: Tom’s Hardware’s RAM-testing guide.
- Restart the PC and use its boot menu to start from the USB drive. The boot-menu key varies by manufacturer and model; consult your PC or motherboard documentation if needed.
- Follow MemTest86’s on-screen instructions and let it run as directed. The official documentation does not establish one universally ideal pass count or duration, so use the current tool guidance rather than treating a fixed time as a guarantee.
If firmware blocks Memtest86+, its project FAQ explains the Secure Boot issue: the binary is not Microsoft-signed, and Secure Boot may need to be disabled temporarily. Changing a firmware security setting has setup and security implications; if you prefer not to change it, PassMark MemTest86 is an alternative to consider, following its current official instructions.
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What a memory-test error does—and does not—mean
A repeatable error means the memory subsystem did not behave reliably under the tested conditions. It is important evidence, but it does not prove that a particular RAM stick is defective. PassMark Software warns in its MemTest86 troubleshooting documentation, “Please be aware that not all errors reported by MemTest86 are due to bad memory.” Its guidance also notes that a faulty CPU can cause the program to crash.
Return overclocked memory to default settings
If XMP, EXPO, or another memory overclock is enabled, return memory settings to their defaults and test again. An error at an overclocked setting does not alone establish that the modules are defective; the setting itself may be unstable.
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Test modules and slots methodically
If errors persist at default settings and the PC has multiple modules, test one module at a time. Where practical, rotate modules or use different slots, keeping a record of each combination and its result. Memtest86+ describes removing modules one at a time or rotating them to narrow down a failure: project site and FAQ.
This process narrows the possibilities; it is not a guaranteed diagnosis of a DIMM versus a slot, motherboard, CPU memory controller, or configuration. If results change with the slot or combination, that pattern matters as much as the individual test result.
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If memory tests pass but games still crash
A clean run does not rule out every intermittent memory fault, and it does not explain every game crash. Avoid replacing RAM based only on game crashes or a stop-code label. Continue by checking the game and Windows error records around the crash, recent driver or hardware changes, and overall system stability. Microsoft’s unexpected restart and stop-code guidance covers hardware, drivers, and software as possible causes; Microsoft Learn explains that Windows halts when it encounters a condition that compromises safe system operation in its Bug Checks (Stop Code Errors) documentation.
If errors repeat at default memory settings and follow a module across configurations, replacement may be appropriate, but confirm the diagnosis and compatibility first. The correct module depends on the motherboard, CPU, memory generation, form factor, capacity, and warranty; a test result alone does not establish which replacement to buy.
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