fio vs HCI MemTest

fio is a free storage I/O workload simulator for performance testing and reproducing bugs. Its job files can define multiple threads, processes and files, with sequential, random or mixed reads and writes using buffered, direct or raw I/O. Tune block and I/O size, I/O engine, queue depth, target files or devices, and job count. Documented engines include Linux io_uring and libaio, POSIX asynchronous I/O, and synchronous read/write options. Separate engines support HTTP GET and PUT requests to WebDAV or S3 endpoints and access to Ceph RADOS and RBD. Verification options can check written data after a workload, including repeated burn-in tests. Results are available in normal text, terse, JSON and JSON+ formats, plus bandwidth and latency logs; terse output is intended for scripts, tables or graphs. fio supports Linux, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, macOS, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Windows, FreeBSD and DragonFly. The HTTP engine supports direct I/O only at depth 1, with scaling through multiple jobs.

HCI MemTest checks whether a computer can store and retrieve data from memory reliably. Its maker recommends running it after buying a computer, installing RAM, or changing the system configuration, including overclocking. The free MemTest download is Version 7.0 for Windows 9x, XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11; the product listing also names Linux. MemTest Pro adds controls for the number of threads and RAM assigned to each, plus summaries of results and total throughput. Pro also supports command-line automation, saves error logs to disk, and can test memory in the background while the computer is in use. Deluxe includes Pro and adds a 64-bit bootable CD or USB version that accesses all RAM without loading an operating system. That boot option requires CSM or legacy BIOS support. The maker recommends 100% coverage for most errors and around 400% for intermittent failures. The FAQ cautions that software cannot reliably identify a failing physical chip; testing modules one at a time may help isolate a faulty board. The free download can be unzipped into a folder and removed by deleting its contents. Free use is available; MemTest Pro costs $5, paid once, and Deluxe costs $14, paid once.