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« on: October 16, 2023, 04:51:23 PM »
The more RAM sticks you use - the bigger chance of RAM instability and the lower maximum frequency at which memory is stable. Also, if you will check some kind of motherboard/CPU memory-compatibility list - you will note that supported 4xSticks have lower maximum frequency than 2xSticks.
memtest is a good stress test but it has different code, so it is possible that only Metashape-like code provokes RAM instability. For example - may be it is important to increase overal temperature inside PC, and in case of Metashape processing this is more probable due to GPU usage, which is ignored in memtest. Or may be it is important to use some AVX-instructions and so on.
> Would the alignement instability persist with only 2 sticks (64GB) or if you use the ram at a lower frequency?
It depends on the nature of the problem:
1) If the instability is because of too high frequency - setting lower frequency will help. F.e. you bought two sets of 2xSticks (4xSticks in total), they are declared to run at 6400Mhz, but this is guaranteed only for 2xSticks and only for compatible motherboards/CPUs. So if you face crashes due to RAM instability - you can try to lower memory frequency - for example to 3200Mhz or lower (just to be sure) and/or use only 2xSticks.
2) If the reason is a defective RAM stick - nothing will help - the best you can do is to return RAM to the shop. Also you can try to locate the defective RAM Stick:
2.1) Set lower memory frequency (f.e. 3200Mhz instead of 6400Mhz)
2.2) Remove the first stick out of four - check processing for instability (i.e. using 2+3+4 sticks)
2.3) Put the first stick back and remove the second stick out of four - check processing for instability (i.e. using 1+3+4 sticks)
2.4-2.5) Repeate the same processing attempt with 1+2+4 sticks and with 1+2+3 sticks
And so - if, for example, processing is stable only if you use 1+3+4 sticks - then the second stick is defective and shouldn't be used. Note that you shouldn't use these 1+3+4 sticks AND some other random single stick bought after that. Because memory sticks are guaranteed to be stable only if they are all from the same factory batch.