How to Make Computer Memory Twice as Fast
Despite what some people may think, computer performance doesnt only depend on the processor. It depends on the whole system, and one of the most important components is RAM. The reason memory matters so much is that it doesnt matter how fast your processor is if its waiting for data.
What is DDR Memory?
When it comes to computers, DDR stands for Double Data Rate and has to do with the way the memory bus transfers data. As memory bus speeds approached 133 MHz, chipset manufacturers found it more and more difficult to increase the speed of the bus. This was a problem because faster processors needed faster memory. The answer was DDR. Where standard RAM only transferred data on the rising edge of the sine wave, DDR doubled the data rate by transferring data on both the rising and falling edges of the memory clock. It effectively doubled the bandwidth without having to increase the speed of the memory bus. In order to ensure that people didnt inadvertently put the wrong RAM in a motherboard, the new format came in a different physical package:
- SDRAM: 168 pin DIMM running at 3.3 Volts.
- DDR SDRAM: 184 pin DIMM running at 2.5 Volts.
What Do the Numbers Mean?
When you see something like 128 MB DDR 266 Samsung PC2100 RAM you might be forgiven for letting your eyes glaze over at the string of numbers. However, all the numbers do actually mean something, as you can see below:
- Capacity: 128 MB refers to the capacity of the memory module.
- DDR266: This refers to the effective transfer rate, 266 MT/sec is the result of two transfers per clock on a 133 MHz DDR memory bus.
- PC2100: This is the total bandwidth. PC2100 memory has a maximum bandwidth of 2100 MB/sec or roughly 2.1 GB sec.
Using DDR
DDR introduced in 2000 and has steadily refined ever since. As processors have gotten faster and more capable, memory speeds and capacities have grown to match. PC2100 DDR offered 2.1 GB/sec of bandwidth but now there is DDR3 available that runs at 12.8 GB/sec and DDR4 is not far behind in the mainstream. At the same time, RAM has grown more parallel just as CPUs have gained more cores. Where Samsung PC2100 was common in single channel memory systems, more recent computers have two, three, and even four channels of much faster later generation memory to feed ever hungrier processors. Meanwhile, single and even dual channel DDR based systems are still working away on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 computers in applications where all-out performance is less important than software compatibility or reliable operation.
Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung.
>