Choosing the Right Computer Memory
Any computing device, whether it be a desktop, laptop, or tablet, relies on a hardware component known as memory or RAM. This component temporarily stores data that is being used by the devices processor and can vary wildly based on size, capacity, and technological features. Samsung are one of many electronics brands that manufacture memory of different types and sizes.
What Are Some Essential Things to Know About Memory?
When considering adding or replacing memory, its important that you understand a few of the basics, like:
- Memory Modules: Also known as memory boards, each individual circuit board is known as a module. RAM is often described as the total sum of memory on offer, although it may be made up of several modules. So a laptop may have a 16 GB kit of RAM made up of four separate 4 GB RAM boards.
- DIMM vs SODIMM: DIMMs are a type of module that have been designed to work with modern processors. SODIMMS or SO-DIMMs are a smaller version of DIMMs designed for computers with smaller physical dimensions like laptops.
- RAM Compatibility: The design of motherboard slots are very particular as are the electronic and physical dimensions of RAM. Memory boards feature a distinct number of pins and placement of a notch with a view to prevent the wrong type of RAM being installed. This means that RAM is rarely backwards or forwards compatible and for instance, a 204-pin SODIMM wont work in a motherboard designed for a 144-pin SO-DIMM.
What Are Some Advanced Features of Certain Types of RAM?
To improve their efficiency or bandwidth, certain types of RAM from manufacturers like Samsung can feature special technologies, including:
- Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM): One type of memory that benefits from advanced processes is SDRAM. Unlike RAM and DRAM, SDRAM uses the clock signal of the processor to help synchronize transfers. It also benefits from the act of pipelining incoming commands so that it can accept new commands before finishing its current ones.
- Double Data Rate (DDR): Whereas ordinary RAM only performs a single data transfer every clock cycle, there are types of SDRAM like DDR3 SDRAM that are able to transfer twice a clock signal. This frequency of transfers is greatly increased for versions like DDR3 and DDR4, which slow their internal clocks to increase their bandwidth.
- Error Correcting Code (ECC): Used mostly with servers and data centers, RAM with ECC runs a little slower as it performs data checks and corrections.
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