The total idiot’s guide for purchasing RAM for your personal computer.

What is the misunderstanding about RAM?

Most computer users perform some research previous to upgrading their computer system so they precisely identify about a completely matching motherboard, CPU, and video card combination that will meet all their necessities. Though, most users are unsuccessful when it comes to RAM. They only recognize the size of the RAM such as 1GB, 2GB or 4GB, but they do not understand the meaning of DDR1, DDR2 or DDR3. Thus that is the reason why I wrote an idiot’s guide for purchasing a RAM, since it turns out that choosing the appropriate DDR variant is a quite essential factor that establishes the performance of your overall system, thus all computer user should be well-advised to be informed about it.

Specifications of DDR1

DDR-DIM (Double Data Rate DIMM or DDR DIMM), or very popularly just regular DDR. The Double Data Rate interfaces offer two data transfers per differential clock. The data turn into registered while the CK goes high (the + side) and CK goes low (the – side). DDR1 employs the JEDEC benchmark for Double Date Rate [DDR I] SDRAM. Similar to all DDR RAM it is obtainable as un-buffered or registered. Registered DIMMs are usually identified as FB-DIMMs and experience their address and control lines buffered just to reduce signal loading. FB-DIMMs are significantly much more costly than un-buffered DIMMs and are usually set aside for server purposes. There are quite few enthusiasts, users or gamers operating FB-DIMMs in their CPU’s. Un-buffered DIMMs do not present address lines and control line buffering, so they are a bit more cost effective. Though, they might limit system-loading and are thus normally limited in the amount that can be installed onto a system. You will discover that a majority of un-buffered DIMMs currently may just be installed on a single motherboard to a limit of 4 times 1GB. Buffered or registered DIMMs do not possess these restrictions and server boards may hold 8 x 1GB, 16 x 1GB or even more. A fascinating and mainly unfamiliar aspect of un-buffered DDR DIMMs is that they are capable to perform one clock cycle faster than FB-DIMMs.

Specifications of DDR2

DDR2 memory is considered as the second generation in DDR memory. DDR2 starts with a speed level of 400MHz as the lowest offered whereas the 400MHz speed is really the highest speed for DDR1. Consequently, DDR2 continues where DDR1 leaves off. It is quite weird but because of different latencies a 400MHz DDR1 will outperform a 400MHz DDR2, although the benefits goes back to DDR2 as soon as the speed achieves the next level 532MHz that DDR1 cannot accomplish.

Specifications of DDR3

DDR3 is known as the third generation in DDR memory. DDR3 stars with the lowest capacity level of 800Mbps and increases to 1600Mbps with bus speed as high as 2000MHz. Increased functioning with decreased power spending is the main advantage, because operating voltage is just 1.5V for DDR3 compared to 1.8V for DDR2. Lesser heat is produced that implies that systems will operate cooler. Eventually the latest technology will produce higher capacity modules: Up to 8GB modules (utilizing 4Gb Chips) to assist decreased server or workstation system costs.
Transfer Rates

Another perplexity is that RAM is frequently referred in PC-number, so the following are the Transfer Rates for the various DDRs:

DDR1 Transfer Rate

• DDR SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR200, DDR266, DDR333 are standard) PC1600 (DDR-200 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100MHz, Data Rate: 200MHz, Throughput1600MB/s
• PC2100 (DDR-266 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133MHz, Data Rate: 266MHz, Throughput 2100MB/s
• PC2400 (DDR-300 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 150MHz, Data Rate: 300MHz, Throughput 2400MB/s
• PC2700 (DDR-333 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 166MHz, Data Rate: 333MHz, Throughput 2600MB/s
• PC3000 (DDR-366 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 183MHz, Data Rate: 366MHz, Throughput 2900MB/s
• PC3200 (DDR-400 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200MHz, Data Rate: 400MHz, Throughput 3200MB/s

DDR2 Transfer Rate

• DDR2 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM II (Quad Edge Clock Rate, 1.8v signaling), Second Generation PC2-3200 (DDR2-400 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100MHz, Data Rate: 400MHz, Throughput 3200MB/s

• PC2-4300 (DDR2-533 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133MHz, Data Rate: 532MHz, Throughput 4300MB/s
• PC2-5300 (DDR2-667 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 167MHz, Data Rate: 667MHz, Throughput 5300MB/s
• PC2-5400 (DDR2-675 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 167MHz, Data Rate: 667MHz, Throughput 5400MB/s
• PC2-6400 (DDR2-800 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200MHz, Data Rate: 800MHz, Throughput 6400MB/s
DDR3 Transfer Rate

• DDR3 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM III (Quad Edge Clock Rate, 1.5v signaling), Third Generation PC3-6400 (DDR3-800 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100MHz, Data Rate: 800MHz, Throughput 6.40GB/s
• PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133MHz, Data Rate: 1066MHz, Throughput 8.53GB/s
• PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 166MHz, Data Rate: 1333MHz, Throughput 10.67GB/s
• PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200MHz, Data Rate: 1600MHz, Throughput 12.80GB/s

Currently it will be very difficult to list which RAM best matches which motherboard. Prior to purchasing the RAM you should study your PC manufacturer’s RAM suggestion and match that accurate type of DDR in it. You may be foolish to utilize a PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 with an AMD Sempron 2800+ as you would be over working your Intel QX6800 with a PC1600 DDR-200. Every CPU/chipset combo has its appropriate DDR fit, and you should discover precisely what they are and remain to them. If you install a slower than suggested DDR to your system it will end important RAM functions and may slow the speed of your system.

Top Manufacturers

The following is a list of several leading manufacturers since purchasing a RAM from an unidentified vendor would cause warranty issues.
Kingston, Corsair, Centon, Crucial, OCZ, Patriot

If you go along with these guidelines and methodically explore the appropriate DDR for your system, you will enjoy years of quick and problem-free computing. A small bit of researching is a little price to pay!