To check whether RAM instability may be behind game crashes, start with Windows Memory Diagnostic, then use a bootable tester such as PassMark MemTest86 if you need a deeper check. A crash or a MEMORY_MANAGEMENT stop code is a reason to investigate—not proof that a RAM stick is faulty. Record the symptoms, test at default memory settings, and treat any errors as evidence about the memory subsystem rather than an instant diagnosis.
Could bad RAM be crashing your games?
Unstable memory can cause crashes, but the symptom alone does not identify RAM as the cause. If the whole PC restarts or displays a stop code, record the exact code and what was happening just beforehand. If only one game closes, note the game’s error message and whether other applications or Windows are affected.
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Microsoft says unexpected restarts can involve a hardware device, its driver, or software, and recommends checking system logs for errors around the time of the event. A stop code is a clue to investigate, not a component diagnosis. See Microsoft’s guidance on unexpected restarts and stop-code errors.
Which RAM test should you use?
| Test | How it runs | How you get the result | Setup and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Memory Diagnostic | Built into Windows; the test runs after a restart. | Find MemoryDiagnostics-Results in Event Viewer’s System log after Windows starts again. |
Convenient first check; available labels can vary by Windows release. |
| PassMark MemTest86 | Boots from USB and tests without an operating system. | Read the tool’s on-screen results and follow its current instructions. | PassMark offers a free edition and separate paid editions; payment is not necessary for a basic check. Creating boot media requires selecting a USB drive and writing an image, which can erase that drive. |
| Memtest86+ | A separate open-source tool that runs from bootable media. | Follow its on-screen instructions and results. | Its FAQ says the binary is not signed by Microsoft; Secure Boot may need to be temporarily disabled if firmware blocks it. |
For official details, see PassMark MemTest86, PassMark’s troubleshooting page, and the Memtest86+ project. No single pass count or duration is established here as ideal for every system, so use the current tool’s instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- Boosts System Performance:16GB DDR4 laptop memory RAM kit (2x8GB) that operates at 3200MHz to improve multitasking and system responsiveness for smoother performance
- Easy Installation: Upgrade your laptop RAM with ease—no computer skills required Follow step-by-step how-to guides available at Crucial for a smooth, worry-free installation
- Compatibility Guaranteed: Ensure seamless compatibility with your laptop by using the Crucial System Scanner or Crucial Upgrade Selector—get accurate recommendations for your specific device
- Trusted Micron Quality: Backed by 42 years of memory expertise, this DDR4 RAM is rigorously tested at both component and module levels, ensuring top performance and reliability
- ECC Type = Non-ECC, Form Factor = SODIMM, Pin Count = 260-pin, PC Speed = PC4-25600, Voltage = 1.2V, Rank and Configuration = 1Rx16, 1Rx8 or 2Rx8
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Save your work. Search Windows for Windows Memory Diagnostic or Memory, then open the utility.
- Choose the offered option to restart and check for memory problems. The computer will restart and run the test before returning to Windows.
- After Windows starts, open Event Viewer and select Windows Logs > System.
- Find the
MemoryDiagnostics-Resultsentry and read its result. Microsoft documents checking this System-log entry after the diagnostic runs; labels may differ slightly across Windows releases. See Microsoft’s stop-code guidance.
Run a bootable test with PassMark MemTest86
Use MemTest86 if the built-in check reports a problem, symptoms continue despite a clean result, or you want a test that runs outside Windows. It checks memory by booting from USB, so the operating system and its drivers are not running during the test.
- Get the current MemTest86 package from the official PassMark site and follow its instructions to create bootable USB media.
- Back up anything important on the USB drive first. Writing the image can format or otherwise erase the selected drive; check the selected device carefully before proceeding. A setup walkthrough also notes this risk: Tom’s Hardware’s RAM-testing guide.
- Restart the computer and use its boot menu to start from the USB drive. The key or menu procedure depends on the computer or motherboard; consult its manufacturer’s instructions if needed.
- Let the test run according to the tool’s current on-screen and official guidance, then record whether it reports errors and the settings used.
Memtest86+ is an alternative, but it is distinct from PassMark MemTest86. If the computer’s firmware blocks Memtest86+ because its binary is not Microsoft-signed, its FAQ says Secure Boot may need to be temporarily disabled. Changing Secure Boot affects a security setting, so understand how to restore it afterward; if you prefer not to change firmware settings, PassMark’s vendor-signed alternative may be more suitable, subject to your machine’s configuration.
Rank #2
- Capacity – 32GB RAM KIT (2 x 16GB Modules) Speed up to 3200MHz Non-ECC Unbuffered 260-Pin 1.2V SODIMM.
- Specs – PCB Color (Green or Black, or Blue) and Rank (1Rx8 or 2Rx8) may vary depending on production batch. Performance and quality remain consistent across all Timetec products. 3200MHz Memory RAM can automatically downclock to 2933MHz or 2666MHz if system specification only supports 2933MHz or 2666MHz.
- Compatibility – Designed for selected DDR4 Laptop, Notebook, Mini PCs, and All-In-One systems(AIO) that support 260-Pin SODIMM memory. NOT compatible with Desktop DIMM slots.
- Installation – Plug-and-Play Upgrade, Quick and Easy to Install, no expertise required (please refer to your system's manual for guidelines).
- Warranty – All Timetec products are high-quality and rigorously tested to meet stringent standards. Backed by Timetec Limited Lifetime Warranty and professional technical support based in the United States.
What a memory-test error does—and does not—mean
A repeatable error means the memory subsystem is not behaving reliably under the tested settings. It does not, by itself, prove that a particular DIMM has failed. PassMark warns: “Please be aware that not all errors reported by MemTest86 are due to bad memory.” Its troubleshooting guidance also notes that a CPU fault can cause the program to crash. Read PassMark’s explanation of MemTest86 memory errors.
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Retest at default memory settings
If XMP, EXPO, or another memory overclock is enabled, return memory settings to their defaults and run the test again. An error that disappears at default settings points to instability under the previous configuration; it does not establish whether the cause is a setting, a module, the motherboard, or the CPU’s memory controller.
Rank #3
- Simple design to perfectly protect the cooling module with high thermal conductive adhesive
- Supports Intel & AMD motherboards
- Selected high-quality IC
- Supports XMP2.0
- Energy saving with ultra-low working voltage
Isolate modules and slots carefully
If errors persist, test one module at a time, following the motherboard manual’s guidance for which slot to use. Record the module and slot for each run. Where practical, rotate modules between slots and compare results. Memtest86+ describes removing modules one at a time or rotating them to narrow down a failure, but this is isolation—not a guarantee that the software has identified a bad stick. A slot, board, memory controller, or configuration can also be involved. If you are unsure how to handle the hardware, ask a qualified technician rather than forcing a module or working inside a powered-on PC.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the tests pass but games still crash
A clean test lowers the evidence for a problem detectable in that run; it does not rule out every intermittent memory fault or explain every game crash. Do not replace RAM based only on a game closing or a stop-code label.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Capacity – 32GB RAM KIT (2 x 16GB Modules) Speed up to 2666MHz Non-ECC Unbuffered 288-Pin 1.2V UDIMM.
- Specs – Black PCB Color and Dual Rank (2Rx8).
- Compatibility – Designed for selected DDR4 Desktop PCs and workstations that support 288-Pin UDIMM memory. NOT compatible with Laptop SODIMM slots.
- Installation – Plug-and-Play Upgrade, Quick and Easy to Install, no expertise required (please refer to your system's manual for guidelines).
- Warranty – All Timetec products are high-quality and rigorously tested to meet stringent standards. Backed by Timetec Limited Lifetime Warranty and professional technical support based in the United States.
Rank #4
- Boosts System Performance:64GB DDR4 laptop memory RAM kit (2x32GB) that operates at 3200MHz, 2933MHz, or 2666MHz to improve multitasking and system responsiveness for smoother performance
- Easy Installation: Upgrade your laptop RAM with ease—no computer skills required Follow step-by-step how-to guides available at Crucial for a smooth, worry-free installation
- Compatibility Guaranteed: Ensure seamless compatibility with your laptop by using the Crucial System Scanner or Crucial Upgrade Selector—get accurate recommendations for your specific device
- Trusted Micron Quality: Backed by 42 years of memory expertise, this DDR4 RAM is rigorously tested at both component and module levels, ensuring top performance and reliability
- ECC Type = Non-ECC, Form Factor = SODIMM, Pin Count = 260-pin, PC Speed = PC4-25600, Voltage = 1.2V, Rank and Configuration = 2Rx8
- Check Windows’ System log and the game’s own error records for entries near the crash.
- Record any stop code, driver or module name, recent driver updates, and recent hardware or firmware changes.
- Investigate drivers, software, system stability, and other hardware as well as RAM. Microsoft’s unexpected-restart guidance recommends looking for system-log errors near the event.
- If repeatable errors remain after testing at default settings and isolating modules, seek hardware diagnosis. A replacement must match the system’s motherboard, CPU, memory generation, form factor, and capacity requirements; check compatibility and warranty before buying.
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Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
