ECC RAM is an acronym which stands for Error Checking and Correction Random Access Memory. As the acronym signifies, ECC Memory is one of the types of RAM or Random Access Memory. With the utilization of ECC RAM, this allows the system to trace and correct single bit errors. The disadvantage, however, of this memory is that it cannot correct multiple bit errors, that is why ECC Memory is not normally recommended for personal computers used at home because personal computers used at home are shut down regularly, sometimes they are not even use for days. Moreover, most modern PCs do not sustain ECC at all if you will just criticized and look at the specifications of the PC. ECC Memories instead are best recommended and found in servers because servers are not shut down.
There are two types of Memory Errors that an ECC may check and correct. The Memory Errors are either hard or soft. Hard errors are caused by the defects in fabrication in the memory chip and once they start appearing they cannot be corrected. While Soft errors, on the other hand, are caused mainly by electrical disturbances. ECC detects and corrects errors depending on the kind of error that occurs.
Memory errors can crash a computer if they are not corrected immediately. If the error crashes the server, it crashes the entire network, unlike if what crashes is only a personal computer at home or what we called client, it does not automatically affect other computers even if it is connected to a network. This is why ECC memory is recommended for servers rather than for clients.
ECC Memory is also of two (2) types. It is either buffered or unbuffered, if your ECC is buffered, it can hold data temporarily for one whole clock cycle before it is transported. This, however, foregoes speed due to the extra clock cycle. On the other hand, if your ECC is unbuffered, the system is allowed directly to access every memory chip on the module. This, however, foregoes a little bit of its reliability despite its being faster that the registered or buffered ECC.
Most users rather choose non- ECC Memory or unbuffered ECC than ECC Memory or buffered ECC probably for the following reasons:
- ECC Memory is costly than the non- ECC Memory;
- The motherboard that supports ECC functionality in RAM is likewise costly; and probably
- ECC Memory controllers need additional time to check and correct the error.
Here, it is up to you whether to choose ECC Memory or non-ECC Memory. If you are to use a server you may better utilize ECC Memory but if you are going to use a client and you are up for a maximum speed, better choose non-ECC Memory.