Windows 7: memtest86+

I've had some BSOD's of different flavors for about a year in my first build(see system specs). All of them have been resolved, some quickly and some have lingered before I dropped the hammer.
I got another one 4 days ago so used memtest86+.
Since I have 2 sticks of 2GB each I just tested them both. I got 12 errors in 8 minutes, went out for 3 hours and had 140 errors.

So I figured the problem was resolved, only to find out if it was the ram or the MB slots.

So I ran stick #1 in slot #1, no errors.
then stick #2 in slot #1, no errors.
I figured it was slot #2 by then.
So ran stick #1 in slot #2, no errors.
and then stick #2 in slot #2, no errors.

I ran each test for about 2 hours and at least a few passes.

So Then just ran the original configuration, stick #1 in slot #1 and stick #2 in slot #2.
No errors since.

What could be the problem?

One idea I had is that there was maybe a spec of dirt/dust between the contacts.

The other area I noted is that when I put the ram in I would get it down pretty far and use the tabs at the ends of the slot to 'grab' the ram and seat it.

But the last time I put the ram in I just pushed down and the tabs automatically moved to the close position.

What about memory controller? Could this be a problem and where is it/what file is it?

Ok lets assume it fails first time when the machine is fairly cold but does not in later runs. maybe heat, or power.

Are you overclocking, or undervolting?

To answer your question(s):
Yes, if the sticks were poorly seated, or they were not making good contact due to dust or debris that would definitely cause errors.

The memory controller in an X58 (Intel i7) system is on the CPU.

Test to see if there are errors when started cold as opposed to all warmed up. As ZigZag suggested, if there are errors in that case you could be looking at another problem.

Thanks for the reply.

No overclocking and the machine was somewhat warm.
In the first test with both sticks it lasted about 3 hours, getting errors along the way and the same errors with certain sections of the test. Every pass had the same amount of errors and the same place like 0002 0040 is 0000 0040, the third number from the left is wrong.
Since the test lasted awhile the machine was warm through all but the first passes.

I'm on the second motherboard and second PSU already for a year old build for various BSOD's and freezes. Though it worked for awhile now till this.

All of these errors over this time have different origins. Still trying to get this computer working since.

This may sound like an elementary question, but you said the sticks were in slots #1 and #2. If I am not mistaken your MB manuel states with 2 sticks, they should be in slots#2 and #4.

But, I had a similar problem with another MB. It turned out that all sticks would run with no errors in any dimm slot. But, if dimm slot #1 and #2 were populated, any stick in 3 or 4 would show errors.

On the MB the slots were DDR3_1 and DDR3_3. If you only have two sticks then those have to be populated first.

The other inconsistency is that in the BIOS I have profile1 enabled, this is the settings from the ram to optimize it I guess. It also sets the voltage at 1.6V.

However the specs say the voltage should be 1.65V.

Maybe I should override this setting and increase voltage as specified.

RAM: 4GB G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 1600
Speed DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Cas Latency 7
Timing 7-8-7-24-2N
Voltage 1.65V
F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

Did you increase the voltage? Check the timings and frequency too.

The profile1(as it's called) setting is an optimized setting set by the ram. All the timings were as stated when running this profile1 as well as the frequency(1600).
The ram optimized profile only sets the voltage to 1.60V not the 1.65V that would be expected.
Maybe I should bring it up to 1.64 or 1.66V(I have only .02 increments to work with).

It should work at 1.60. but I would bring it up to 1.66 for a try. But if the sticks run memtest OK indivudally but not together, it seems there must be some other problem.

I did run them all together after all the individual stick/slot testing, no more errors. Could have just been how they were seated.

I'll just wait and see for now. Thanks for the insights!