Crashing during memory intensive stuff

[Guru Janitor]

Hey guys, long time no posts.

Alright, well I have my aging system (in specs), and despite it being some pretty old hardware, a few generations behind, It runs like an absolute beast, and have no intentions of upgrading, especially since I'm saving to get a MBP for college over the summer (going for film).

But recently, my computer has been showing signs of constant abuse and age. While using memory intensive apps, say Sony Vegas Pro 9 while rendering, or various video games, the application WILL crash after about ~5 to 10 minutes. Its gotten to the point where its inevitable, and I know its coming.

I'm thinking its the memory going, its a pair of G.Skill 4GB DDR2, 800.

This is the Pair, only I have the older version of the heat spreaders:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=gskill_ddr2_800_4gb-_-20-231-300-_-Product

Like I said the heat spreaders look like this, but THIS IS NOT THE PAIR I HAVE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=gskill_ddr2_800_4gb-_-20-231-219-_-Product

Don't mind the nasty reviews on them, they were a great pair of sticks, and those people obviously don't know what their doing.

What do you guys think? Memory? I'm gonna run memtest tonight while I sleep and see if anything comes up, I cant do it now cause I need the computer.

And if it is memory, I'm thinking of trying some mushkins out, and gonna probably go with this pair, im trying to stay sub 100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226112

Thanks guys.

tl;dr: I think my memory is going, and want your opinions.

 

[sneekypeet]

memtest86+ on a CD is your best solution to figure out if the ram is OK.

Linked memory is Ok, but you may be able to find something faster used for that price

 

[TheLaughingMan]

You may simply be running out of memory space while the program is running. My roommates computer will do the same thing when he is audio editing. Occasionally, it will just crash.

If your memory tests fine...which I think it will, you may need to go up to 8 GB for memory intensive work.

 

[sneekypeet]

You may simply be running out of memory space while the program is running. My roommates computer will do the same thing when he is audio editing. Occasionally, it will just crash.

If your memory tests fine...which I think it will, you may need to go up to 8 GB for memory intensive work.

Good point for Vegas, but with games 4GB should be enough to run dang near any game out.

 

[dr emulator (madmax)]

one suggestion
check your psu
i had one of those and mine nearly blew up
(if i hadn't have tried cleaning it i'd have never noticed the mains caps bubbling)
anyways my machine wouldn't run any benchmarks,
but would run certain games
now i have a new psu we have lower electricity bills and my machines pretty stable
even though the psu is a higher rated wattage

 

[Guru Janitor]

I dont think it would be the PSU, PCPowers are pretty damn stable, although you never know, I'll check it out if the memory is fine.

I would think its just running out of memory while rendering as well, but I've rendered much more longer and intensive videos before with 4gbs no problem. And my Memory Usage according to the system monitor says it never goes above ~70%ish while rendering the current video. And yeah one of the games is Roller Coaster Tycoon. Thats not really a memory intensive program, haha xD

Oh well, we'll have to wait till tomorrow I guess.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I appreciate it.