Memtest86+

No one tests their memory because they want to. Sure, some users prefer to test their RAM sticks right after installing them, to ensure that they're stable at their rated clock speeds. But in general, testing your memory is a process many would consider arduous, and for good reason: for a thorough and accurate result, you'll have to leave your computer on for quite some time. It comes without saying that you won't be able to use it at all during that time.

Memtest86+ is a name with a lot of weight to it: owing to a comprehensive set of testing methods, it's the premier choice of many users for memory testing.

The program can only be deployed via an ISO or USB drive, and that's because the testing itself is handled outside your operating system. Because of this, you'll have to create a bootable drive, which is not a difficult thing to do, thanks to the tool's wizard.

You might be curious — why is all of this really needed? And the answer is that booting the program like so ensures an exhaustive testing procedure, which goes through all of your memory. If the program were to be deployed as a conventional executable, the testing would end up being incomplete, as Windows always reserves some memory for itself.

Once you boot into the user interface, you'll be able to stress test your memory. A few tests are available: you can choose how much of your RAM to test, as well as how the tool handles the CPU testing part. As RAM is inter-related with the processor, both components will be simultaneously tested.

The testing will proceed right away, and there's nothing you need to do. It's worth mentioning that it will run indefinitely, and the longer it runs, the more accurate it is. If you want to just quickly test your memory, it's best to wait for at least one pass to complete.

Memtest86+ is a staple RAM testing tool: if there's memory to be tested, this is where you do it.