A method and apparatus for implementation of error correction code (ECC) checking in non-ECC-compliant components. The method includes receiving a logical address, wherein the logical address maps to first and second physical addresses of a memory. The first and second physical addresses of the memory correspond to memory locations that store data and a corresponding ECC, respectively. The method further comprises translating the logical address into the first and second physical addresses, accessing the data over a data path, separately accessing the ECC over the same data path, and checking the integrity of the data using the ECC.