RAM IC tester

[xzswq21]

Hello, is there any way to test RAM chips? I  have a DDR SDRAM such as K4H561638N and etc, I want to know the chip is damaged or not. I've found some component tester such as TL866 or something similar but non of them could test RAM chips.

Thanks

[Fungus]

That's got a lot of pins, it's not surprising that ordinary component testers can't test it.

Testing RAM isn't easy, you have to test at full clock speed and use special test patterns. For small quantities of $4 chips it simply isn't worth investing in a testing device. Just buy a new chip and try it. If the device starts working correctly, the old chip was faulty.

[Algoma]

Dedicated Ram testers do exist, with various slot types, I recall a recall using a specific one that used to test SIMM memory sticks 20 years ago. Overall its usually a scrap PC that can fit the memory type, along with known good memory in the first slot. Then a memory testing software on a minimal boot disk (USB?).

The goal is to use the minimal amount of memory to startup the system, ideally in single channel mode, to avoid hitting the suspected bad memory.

Ram memory is most often disposable if its even slightly suspected as bad. Even slight thermal changes can trigger unusual behaviors in bad memory chips.

https://www.memorytesters.com/products.htm
Adapter:
https://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/ddr_chip_conv.htm

[Algoma]

Otherwise, Basically compare the Power draw and heat generation of the chip itself, compared to a known good one.. Hook up minimal VCC and ground and see if its internally heating up and drawing a few mA more than expected when idle.

[Algoma]

Option 3:  Widlarize
  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/the-widlar-izer!

[james_s]

DRAM testers are expensive. I have an old model made by a now defunct company called Darkhorse Systems, it's fantastic for vintage PC stuff since it will identify and even test the speed of unknown SIMMs. It's too old to support anything like the RAM you have there though.