1. Characteristics of RIMM?

Answer:

 Appearance:

 It is similar to a DIMM package but uses different pin settings. RIMM has 184 pins.
 It is a memory system with a low access time and an extremely fast data transfer rate is created.
 It takes up less space inside the computer than the older DIMM module.

 RIMMs use a looped system, where everything is going in one direction (uni-directional) all the
time. In a looped system, data moves forward from chip to chip and module to module. Data goes
down the line, and then the results data continues forward on the wire in the same direction. The
results data doesn't have to wait for downstream data to finish being sent.
 It has a high Bandwidth PC Memory Module. For example the dual channel RIMM 4200 design
provides 4.2GB/s of memory bandwidth.

 a RIMM is generally more expensive than a DIMM because a RIMM must be manufactured with
tighter tolerances for trace sizing, spacing, and thickness to ensure the near perfect transmission
line environment needed for Direct Rambus's very high data rates.


a. Speed, capacity and compatibility.

1. Capacity
184-Pin RIMM

Capacity: Standard DepthxWidth: Parity/ECC DepthxWidth:

64MB 32Mx16 32Mx18
128MB 64Mx16 64Mx18
256MB 128Mx16 128Mx18
512MB 256Mx16 256Mx18
1,024MB 512Mx16 512Mx18

2. speed
184 pin RDRAM (RAMBUS) RIMM Modules

RAMBUS RIMMs Data Rate Clock Rate = FSB Peak Bandwidth

PC600 600MHz 300MHz 1.2 GBps

PC700 712MHz 356MHz 1.4 GBps

PC800 (Single- 800MHz 400MHz 1.6 GBps/channel

Channel) = RIMM 3200

PC800 (Dual-Channel) 3.2 GBps

PC1066 (Single- 1066MHz 533MHz 2.1 GBps/channel

Channel) = RIMM 4200

PC1066 (Dual- 4.2 GBps  

Channel)    

232 pin RDRAM (RAMBUS) RIMM Modules

PC1200 (Single- 1200MHz 600MHz 2.4 GBps

Channel) = RIMM 4800

PC1200 (Dual- 4.8 GBps/channel

Channel)    

3. COMPATIBILITY
  A RIMM for the desktop computer applications may use traditional printed circuit board (PCB)
routing techniques.
 The RIMM may comply with the standards for the dual in-line memory modules (DIMM) form
factor, but may not be pin compatible with the DIMM standards.
 The computer system motherboard into which RIMMs plug must have tightly controlled electrical
characteristics that match RIMM circuit cards to avoid unwanted impedance mismatches and
signal reflections.
 Compatible with Intel Pentium 4 motherboards.
 Unlike most other types of computer memory, computers that support RIMM require a
continuous signal. If a memory socket is left empty, the computer will not work properly.

2. What computer uses RIMM?

Answer:

 RIMM is a type of computer memory that resembles DIMMs; however, it is 184-pin and
is available with built in ECC support and Non-ECC at speeds up to 800MHz. RIMM
modules are commonly used on the Intel Pentium 4 motherboards.
 A Rambus in-line memory module may be adapted for the smaller board size used for
example with portable computers. By using wrong-way routing, the routing can be
achieved in a small size while matching impedance between the routings. By grouping
signals on one side of the module's printed circuit board and ground and power supplies
contacts on another side of the board, performance may be improved.
 Some DELL , ASUS , Compaq, and HP desktop computers can be upgraded to RIMM.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6061263.html

http://www.buildorbuy.org/ramchart.html

http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT110799000000

http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/RIMM.GIF

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RIMM.html

http://www.bugclub.org/beginners/memory/rimm.html

https://computing.llnl.gov/tutorials/linux_clusters/memory_terms.html

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=102308&seqNum=12

http://www.rambus.com/us/news/press_releases/2002/020603.html

http://books.google.com.ph/
http://wwv.guixact.info/asus-motherboard-p4t-memory-256mb-pc800-rambus-rimm-for-asus-ram