Regardless of make, manufacturer, or type, almost all computer-based memory has some type of inherent infinitesimal error or defect. A memory manufacturing vendor may spend between 10-15% of the cost of a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) running extensive testing for errors, and still, memory can be prone to failure at some point in its life. Any number of variables can cause memory errors – from heat to age to tiny defects.
Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) error rates are orders of magnitude higher than had been previously reported. In a recent large-scale study of DRAM memory errors in the field based on data collected for more than two years, about a third of all machines and over 8% of DIMMs saw at least one correctable error per year1. With some platforms seeing nearly 50% of their machines affected by correctable errors2, only about 1.3% of systems were affected by uncorrectable errors per year, with some platforms seeing as many as 2-4% affected.
