MemTest86+ review
A focused, bootable memory tester for diagnosing RAM errors outside the operating system.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
MemTest86+ is a free, open-source standalone memory tester for x86, x86-64, ARM AArch64 and LoongArch64 computers. It is intended for troubleshooting crashes and instability, validating new or overclocked systems, and identifying memory errors in desktops, workstations and servers. Because testing runs outside the installed operating system, it is suited to diagnosing system-memory problems that may be difficult to isolate within Windows, macOS or Linux.
The project is distributed as free GPLv2 software, with no paid tier described. Its boot options include BIOS and UEFI, bootable USB, CD/DVD ISO, and PXE network boot. Multiple memory-test algorithms and configurable test selection support different diagnostic approaches, while parallel, sequential and round-robin CPU sequencing provide control over how processors participate in testing. Serial-console output options also suit systems where local display access is limited.
MemTest86+ provides more than a simple pass-or-fail result: reports can include error counts, summaries, individual errors and BadRAM patterns, along with temperature display and memory-controller or SPD information. That makes it a strong fit for focused RAM troubleshooting and validation across supported computer architectures. It should not be chosen as a general hardware diagnostic suite, since its scope does not include disk health checks or GPU testing. Choose it when memory testing, boot flexibility and detailed error reporting are the priority; choose a broader diagnostic tool when storage or graphics checks are also required.
MemTest86+ pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free GPLv2 software with open-source code
- BIOS, UEFI, USB, ISO and PXE boot options
- Detailed errors, BadRAM patterns, temperature and SPD information
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on system memory, not whole-device diagnostics
- No disk health checks or GPU testing
- Requires booting outside the installed operating system
MemTest86+ fact sheet, pricing and score →
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