Form factor
A parameter that determines the physical dimensions of the memory module, as well as the number and arrangement of pins on it. To date, the most popular form factors are:
—
DIMM. Classic full-size memory sticks, used mainly in desktop PCs. The number of contacts is usually between 168 and 240.
-
SO-DIMM(Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module). A smaller version of the DIMM form factor designed for use in portable computing equipment such as laptops and tablet PCs. The number of contacts varies from 72 to 200.
-
FB-DIMM(Fully Buffered Dual In-Line Memory Module). Memory modules with increased reliability due to the use of a buffer in the design (see Buffering support (Registered)). Most often used in servers. Similar in appearance to 240-pin DIMMs, but not compatible with them.
Memory speed
The clock frequency of the RAM module.
The higher this indicator, the faster the “RAM” works, other things being equal, the higher its efficiency in games and other resource-intensive applications. On the other hand, a high clock frequency has a corresponding effect on the cost. In addition, in order to use the full capabilities of the memory, the motherboard to which the module is connected must support the appropriate frequency.
The most popular are modules with a frequency of
3200 and
3600 MHz - so to speak, universal workhorses. There are also more modest options - for example
2400,
2666,
2800,
2933,
3000 MHz. And advanced for serious tasks -
3866,
4000,
4800,
5200,
5600 MHz. High-frequency modules
6000,
6400,
6600,
6800,
7000,
7200 MHz and more are also provided.
Clock speed
The amount of information that a memory module can receive or transmit in one second. The speed of the memory and, accordingly, the price of it directly depend on the bandwidth. At the same time, this is a rather specific parameter, which is relevant mainly for high-performance systems — gaming and workstations, servers, etc. If the RAM module is bought for a regular home or office system, you can not pay much attention to bandwidth.
CAS latency
This term refers to the time (more precisely, the number of memory cycles) that passes from the processor's request to read data to granting access to the first of the cells containing the selected data. CAS latency is one of the timings (for more details, see the "Memory Timings Scheme" section, where this parameter is designated as CL) — which means that it affects performance: the lower the CAS, the faster this memory module works. However this is true only for the same clock frequency (for more details, see ibid.).
Now there are memory modules on the market with the following CAS latency values:
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20,
21,
22,
24,
30,
32,
36,
38,
40,
42,
46.
Memory timing
Timing is a term that refers to the time it takes to complete an operation. To understand the timing scheme, you need to know that structurally RAM consists of banks (from 2 to 8 per module), each of which, in turn, has rows and columns, like a table; when accessing memory, the bank is selected first, then the row, then the column. The timing scheme shows the time during which the four main operations are performed when working with RAM, and is usually written in four digits in the format CL-Trcd-Trp-Tras, where
CL is the minimum delay between receiving a command to read data and the start of their transfer;
Trcd — the minimum time between the selection of a row and the selection of a column in it;
Trp is the minimum time to close a row, that is, the delay between the signal and the actual closing. Only one bank line can be opened at a time; Before opening the next line, you must close the previous one.
Tras — the minimum time the row is active, in other words, the shortest time after which the row can be commanded to close after it has been opened.
Time in the timing scheme is measured in cycles, so the actual memory performance depends not only on the timing scheme, but also on the clock frequency. For example, 1600 MHz 8-8-8-24 memory will run at the same speed as 800 MHz 4-4-4-12 memory—in either case timings, if expressed in nanoseconds, will be 5-5-5-15.
Cooling
Type
of cooling provided in the design of RAM.
—
No refrigeration. The lack of special cooling is typical for memory modules with low and medium power — they do not emit so much heat that it needs to be specially removed.
— Radiator. A device in the form of a metal structure with a characteristic ribbed surface — this form increases the area of \u200b\u200bcontact with air, which, in turn, improves heat transfer. The simplest type of cooling system is inferior in efficiency to a radiator with a cooler and even more so to a water circuit (see below), but it does not create noise, does not consume excess energy and does not require additional power or tubes. And the mentioned efficiency is enough even for quite powerful RAM modules.
— Radiator with cooler. Radiator
cooling(see above), supplemented by a block with a fan (fans) for forced air circulation. This add-on significantly increases the efficiency of the heatsink; it can be used even in fairly powerful RAM sets. On the other hand, the fan creates noise during operation and significantly increases power consumption.
— Water cooling. Cooling in the form of a liquid heat exchanger connected to the water cooling circuit of the computer system. A distinctive external feature of such cooling are two characteristic pipes. Water systems are very efficient and suitable even for the mo
...st powerful and “hot” sticks, but they are difficult to connect and require expensive external equipment, and therefore they are mainly used among top RAM models, in which such cooling is in principle indispensable. Note that some of these models allow operation “dry”, without water, but this is not recommended — failures may occur at high loads.
— Liquid-air. In accordance with the name, this option involves the use of two types of cooling at once — air (radiator) and water. See above for both, but it is worth noting that in this case water cooling can be provided in a somewhat “truncated” form — not in the form of pipes for connecting to a common cooling circuit, but in the form of a sealed capsule with a heat-conducting liquid. In terms of efficiency, such systems, of course, noticeably lose to classical liquid ones — but they do not require complex connections; and the capsule somehow improves the efficiency of the radiator, and it looks unusual.More features
— A series
for overclocking (overclocking). Belonging to such a series means that the manufacturer initially provided in the module the possibility of overclocking ("overclocking") — that is, increasing performance by changing the operating parameters, in particular, increasing the operating voltage and clock frequency. You can also “overclock” ordinary memory that is not related to overclocking — however, this is difficult and fraught with failures, up to complete burnout of the circuits, while in specialized series overclocking is a documented function, it is implemented quickly and simply, moreover, it is most often covered by a guarantee.
—
XMP support. Memory module compatibility with XMP technology. This technology, created by Intel, is used for overclocking (see the relevant paragraph). Its key principle is that certain overclocking profiles are recorded in the memory module — sets of settings tested for stability; and instead of manually setting individual parameters, the user just needs to select one of the profiles. This simplifies system setup and at the same time improves its reliability during overclocking. However, note that in order to use XMP, it must be supported not only by memory, but also by the motherboard.
— AMP support. Memory module compatibility with AMP technology. In terms of its main features, this technology is completely similar to the
XMP described above and differs only in the creator — in this case, it is AMD.
–
EXPO support. Memory module compatibility with EXPO technology (Extended Profiles for Overclocking). It was created at AMD by a specialist for overclocking DDR5 strips as part of Ryzen 7000 systems. At its core, this is a factory set of RAM profiles that simplifies overclocking the “RAM”. Using the technology allows you to increase performance in games by about 11% with a resolution of the broadcast image Full HD.
—
Buffering support (Registered). The presence of the so-called memory module. buffer — a section for quickly saving incoming data — between the memory controller (control device) and the actual chips (storage devices). This scheme reduces the load on the controller, thereby achieving higher reliability; on the other hand, buffered modules have slightly reduced performance due to the delay in transferring information through the buffer. Buffered memory is used mainly in server systems and is expensive. When choosing memory, note that either only buffered or only
unbuffered memory can be used in one system; it is impossible to combine these two types of memory.
—
ECC support. ECC (Error Checking and Correction) is a technology that allows you to correct minor errors that occur while working with data. To use ECC, it must be supported not only by the memory module, but also by the motherboard; Basically, such support is used in servers, but it is also found in "motherboards" for ordinary desktops.
