RAM

RAM on the
Motherboard

Loses all data when PC is turned off

(except data stored on CMOS chip)

Two categories
Static RAM (SRAM)

Fast

Used as a memory cache

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Slower; requires constant refreshing

DRAM

SRAM

Memory Technologies

How SRAM Is Used in

Different Memory
Caches

How Memory Caching

Works

Dynamic RAM
Technologies

Stored on DIMM, RIMM, or SIMM modules

(plug directly into motherboard)

Differences among these modules:

Width of data path that each type
accommodates
The way data moves from system bus to
module

Examples of Memory
Modules

DRAM Technologies

DRAM Technologies
(continued)

DRAM

SIMM technologies
Can use either EDO or FPM technology

DIMM technologies
Can use either BEDO (burst EDO) or
synchronous RAM (SDRAM)

RIMM technologies
Each socket must be filled to maintain
continuity

Identifying the DIMM

Module

RIMM Technologies

Error Checking and

Parity

Parity
Error-checking procedure in which every
byte has an even number of ones or an
odd number of ones
Older method of testing integrity of bits
Stored in RAM or secondary medium
Sent over a communications device

Error-correcting code (ECC)

Current method of error checking that can
detect and correct an error in a single bit

Parity

Other Memory
Features

CAS (column access strobe) latency

RAS (row access strobe) latency

Both CAS and RAS refer to the

number of clock cycles it takes to
write or read a column or row of
data

Memory Speeds:
Factors to Consider

Speed of memory in ns, MHz, or PC rating

How much memory is installed

Memory technology used

CL
(CAS Latency) rating
CL- the number of clock cycles between the time a read command is
sent and the data is available

ECC/parity or non-ECC/nonparity

Factors That
Contribute to Memory
Speed

Upgrading Memory

What to look for when buying

memory chips and modules

How much and what kind of memory

to buy

Reading ads about memory modules

Installing memory

What to Look for When

Buying Memory Chips
and
Modules

Use type, size, density, and fastest

speed supported by the motherboard

Match tin leads to tin connectors and

gold leads to gold connectors

Beware of remanufactured and remarked memory chips

How Much and What

Kind of Memory to Buy

Determine how much memory you have and

need

Identify the number, type, and size of memory

modules supported by your motherboard

Determine how much memory can you afford

Match memory modules to the motherboard

Using Motherboard
Documentation to Select
Memory

Using Motherboard
Documentation to Select
Memory (continued)

RDRAM Memory
Configuration

Installing Memory

Protect chips against static

electricity

Usually modules pop into place

easily and are secured by spring
catches on both ends

Installing a SIMM
Module

Installing a DIMM
Module

Installing a DIMM
Module (continued)

Installing a RIMM
Module

Types of RAM

SDRAM
Systems use some form of
synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)

Still DRAM, but it is synchronous

SDRAM DIMMs came in a wide

variety of pin sizes
Desktops were the 168-pin variety.
Laptop DIMMs came in 68-pin, 144-pin

RDRAM

Replace SDRAM with a very fast,

new type of RAM developed
byRambus, Inc. called Rambus
DRAM, or simply RDRAM
Came in two sizes:
A 184-pin for desktops
A 160-pin SO-RIMM for laptops

DDR SDRAM

Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR

SDRAM)
DDR SDRAM for desktops comes in
184-pin DIMMs
DDR SDRAM for laptopscomes in
either 200-pin SO-DIMMs or 172-pin
micro-DIMMs

DDR2

Run at a blistering PC4800.

4.8 gigabytes per second (GBps)
of data throughput
DDR2 uses a 240-pin DIMM thats
not compatible with DDR

Latency

A delay in RAMs response time is

called its Latency
RAM with a lower latency such as
CL2 is faster than RAM with a
higher latency such as CL3
because it responds more quickly