A+ Certification Guide

Chapter 4
RAM Types and Features
Chapter 4
Objectives
 RAM Basics
– Describe what RAM does, how it works, and how it relates to the system.
 Memory Upgrade Considerations
– Form factors, memory chip types, module speed, latency, error-checking,
supported combinations, modules per bank, multi-channel memory,
more.
 RAM Types
– Describe types of RAM available, including SRAM, SDRAM, DDR,
DDR3, DDR3.
 Operational Characteristics
– Describe the features of memory modules and types of memory like
ECC, EDO, registered, and unbuffered.
 Installing Memory Modules
– Demonstrate how to install SIMMs and DIMMs properly.
 Random Access Memory
 Random access:
– Means that memory addresses are dynamically allocated.
– Different from ROM in which memory addresses are
pre-assigned to specifically coded functions.
 What role does RAM play?
– Provides CPU with data to process:
• Keyboard entries are sent to RAM addresses.
• Hard drive programs are sent to RAM addresses.
• Network data (web pages) are sent to RAM addresses.
 RAM is faster than other storage, such as hard drives and USB
memory.
 Installing more RAM is often the easiest way to improve system
performance without investing in a new system.
 RAM Types
 SRAM = Static Random Access Memory
– Also known as L1, L2, and L3 cache memory
– Does not require a memory refresh
– Built into CPU to store frequently accessed data routines
– Fast but expensive
– Not generally upgradeable
 SDRAM = Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory:
– PCs made before 2000 commonly use this.
– Rated by bus speed:
• 266Mhz bus uses PC266 SDRAM
 DDR = Double Data Rate SDRAM:
– Rated by throughput speed in MBps
– PC2700 means it can deliver 2,700MBps
 RAM Types (Continued)

 DDR2 = Double Data Rate SDRAM (next-generation DDR):

– Twice the speed of DDR
– PC2 prefix number designates a module as DDR2
 DDR3 = Faster than DDR2, lower voltage, eight-bit prefetch buffer
 DDR4 = Faster than DDR3, lower voltage, burst access
 RAM Specifications to Know
(Before You Buy)
 Module type
– Number of pins (240,184, and 168) and placement
– Number of RAM slots available for modules
 Chip type
– DDR2, DDR3, DDR4
 Speed
– Needs to match up as multiple of motherboard front-side bus
speed
– Measured in nanoseconds or in throughput
– CAS (CL) timing should also be the same on all modules to
avoid lockups
 Error checking (ECC)
– Optional, used by most servers
 Number of modules needed per bank
 Dual channel, triple channel, or quad-channel configuration
RAM Types Illustrated
Memory Module Characteristics
 Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM)
– 168-pin, 184-pin, and 240-pin versions. Dual refers to each
side of the module having a different pinout.
 Small Outline DIMM (SODIMM or SO-DIMM)
– A compact version of the standard DIMM module, for use in
notebook computers.
SODIMM versus DIMM
 Know These Before Taking Exam
RAM Type Pins Common Type and Defining Characteristic
Speed

SDRAM 168 PC133 = 133MHz This original version of SDRAM has

been replaced by DDR, DDR2,
DDR3.

DDR 184 PC3200 = 400MHz/ Double the transfers per clock cycle
3200MBps compared to regular SDRAM.

DDR2 240 DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) = External data bus speed (I/O bus
800MHz/6400MBps clock) is 2 x DDR SDRAM.

DDR3 240 DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666) External data bus speed (I/O bus
= 1333MHz/10600MB/s clock) is 4 x DDR SDRAM.
(10.6GBps)
 Operational Characteristics

 Memory modules are classified in various ways:

– The amount of memory (in bits) found on the module
– Timing (CL values)
– Chip speeds
– The differences between parity and nonparity memory
– The differences between ECC and non-ECC memory
– The differences between registered and unbuffered memory
– The differences between single-sided and double-sided
memory

The following slides deal with these operational characteristics.

 Operational Characteristics
(cont.)
 Memory module width
– Expressed in multiple of 8 bits (8 bits = 1 byte)
• Megabyte (1024 bytes)
• Gigabyte (1024 Megabytes)
– SDRAM and its descendents are 64-bit devices, matching the
64-bit width of Pentium and later processors
 A memory module is the same as a memory “bank” on
modern systems
– Systems that support dual-channel memory use matched
pairs of memory for faster performance
– Some systems support triple-channel or quad-channel
memory
 Operational Characteristics
(cont.)
 Chip speeds
– Memory is rated by throughput
– Higher speeds are better matches for faster processors
 CL Timing
– CAS (CL) values refer to how quickly memory can switch
addresses.
– Lower CL values in a specific memory type improve
performance
– CL values vary according to memory type
 Operational Characteristics
(cont.)
 Parity and nonparity memory:
– Error checking memory costs more.
– Small performance decrease.
– Two types:
• Parity checking:
– Use of a parity bit to compute a value that must match
another value to validate a data set
• ECC (error-correcting code):
– Memory that both finds and corrects errors
– Typically employed on servers
 Registered versus unbuffered:
– Buffered memory (registered):
• Enables system stability when large memory banks are
used
 Operational Characteristics
 Single-sided (ranked)
– Single bank of memory chips on module
 Double-sided (ranked)
– Two banks of memory chips on module
– Originally required memory chips to be on both sides of
module
– Modern memory chips are smaller
 Some systems limit the amount of RAM that can be installed
depending on whether single-sided or double-sided modules are
installed.
Unbuffered versus Registered
DIMM Modules
 Installing Memory Modules
Preinstall precaution: Importance of ESD protection (refer to Ch17)
– Memory can be damaged, and the damage may not show up for
weeks.
– ESD strap must be attached to a ground or bare metal portion of the
chassis.
– Hold memory modules by the side edges without touching either the
pins or the memory chips.
1. Check to see if the locking tabs are swiveled out to open position.
2. Line up module to accommodate the “notch” that ensures that the
module is being inserted in the right direction.
3. Push module straight down into position:
– A slight rocking motion from end to end helps seat stubborn
modules into the slot.
– Engaging the locks requires extra firmness to force the locks to
close into the notches on the sides of the module.
 Installing Memory

 Memory should be installed in Channel A (Blue) in matched pairs

before Channel B slots are used.
 What Have You Learned?

– What kind of memory would be useful to verify data

integrity?
– Can modules with different clock speeds be used in
dual-channel mode?
– What kind of memory is typically used in L1/L2/L3
cache and does not require a constant refresh?
– DDR3 memory modules typically use what method
to describe speed?
Chapter 4
Summary

 RAM Basics
– SRAM, DRAM, DDR types
 Memory Upgrade Considerations
– Choosing memory that is compatible with your system
 RAM Types
– DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and the up-and-coming DDR4
– DIMM versus SODIMM
 Operational Characteristics
– Making sure memory is compatible
 Installing Memory Modules
Next Lesson – Chapter 5