Hey Hubber's, this week we will be taking a look at RAM or it's common names, Memory, System Memory or Main Memory.
For the rest of this article we'll just call it Memory to save confusion.
So what is Memory? Well Memory is what your system uses to temporarily store data that is used on a regular basis by the CPU. I won't go into the uber nerdy technical details cause you don't really need to know about, how flash memory works, or how many pins(conductors) different types of Memory has, these types of tings are important but not essential to know when just installing new Memory. The type of modules we will be referring to are known as DIMMS(Dual Inline Memory Modules which just means there's chips on both sides of the Memory Modules). I will go over some of the things you do need to know about Memory though so your buying and upgrading to the right Memory modules.
So I briefly described what Memory does, it basically supports the CPU in its function. System Memory is known as volatile, which means that the data stored on while your PC is on stays there, until you turn your PC off and it goes poof which translated to actual English means it's wiped off the Memories storage. Now there are many types of Memory that is compatible with many desktop and laptop motherboards. For now though we will focus on the most commonly used desktop Memory know as DDR, DDR stands for Double Data Rate, it got it's name by being double the speed of old Single Data Rate SDRAM since DDR was introduced it's been 'leveled up' to coin a phrase, now we have DDR2 and DDR3. DDR3 is the most commonly found Memory in desktop PC's today, DDR3 is x3 the speed of SDRAM hence its name. On a side note for all you techys there is DDR4 on the horizon so keep a look out but seeing as it's not widely used yet we will focus on DDR-DDR3 for now.
Memory communicates with the CPU over the FSB(Front Side Bus). There is actual and effective FSB speeds, manufacturers use the effective speed on the specifications. For example, if a system using DDR and an FSB of 100MHz the effective speed of DDR is 200MHz because of the double data rate nature of DDR over SDRAM.
When you buy Memory you see things like PC1600 or PC3200 and maybe PC2-5300. Also to note when buying the number after 'PC' is the DDR version so PC=DDR, PC2=DDR2 and PC3=DDR3
To explain how this works I'll give examples and using a simple maths equation to get to the bigger number. All that needs to be known is the 8:1 ratio, multiply the effective rate by 8.
So for example if a motherboard with an effective rate of 200MHz (actual being 100MHz) is being used and was DDR you would 200x8=1600. This means the Memory module is PC1600 and the individual chips used on the module would be called DDR200.
So using my own Memory as an example I use PC3-10600, so this means my DDR3 chips are rated at 1333MHz, so 1333x8=10664 rounded down to 10600.
The other noticeable specification will be its storage size, mine for example are x2 8GB modules so a total of 16GB of storage for data.
On modern motherboards you will find four or three(even six or more) slots for Memory and may be colour coded.
If you say have 6 slots and alternating colours you most likely have Triple-channel Memory capability meaning your computer accesses all 3 modules and you install 3 modules into the same colour slots.
If you have 4 slots and alternating colours you most likely have Dual-channel capability meaning your computer accesses both modules and you install 2 modules into the same colour slots.
If your using Windows 7 as your operating system then depending on your version - 32 or 64 bit – it will determine the minimum requirement of RAM needed. 32 bit Windows 7 needs 1GB minimum to run but 64 bit Windows 7 need 2GB minimum to run so make sure you know what version of windows your running. Also 32 bit Windows will only use up to 4GB of Memory and no more.
Motherboards today will support multiple effective rates of Memory so check the manufacturers guide before buying new Memory.
How much Memory and it's speed is determined by your projects requirements for example if your just wanting a basic setup for creating documents your not going to need crazy expensive Memory and not even much of it, but if you wanting to build a PC at the other end of the spectrum for example a gaming PC then you will almost certainly need better Memory and more of it. If say your building a CAD/CAM system then you want to possibly max your memory as well as have a decent CPU and a good GPU. Or if you want to set up multiple virtual computers on one PC the more you setup the more your hardware requirements go up so the more Memory needed.
Installing Memory
Don't forget your ESD protection, RAM isn't cheap so you don't want to damage it before you use it!
We will assume you have a fairly recent motherboard with dual channel and you require 2 modules of memory and they are DDR3 DIMMS with 2GB of storage on each and your effective FSB is 1600MHz, so you will look to be buying Memory that has 2GB and PC3-12800 x2 on the packaging. Once you have these bad boys in hand then you will need to power off your PC, open the case and unclip the modules clips and remove the Memory carefully holding it at the edges.
Then get your new Modules and line up the notch on the module with the notch on the Memory slot and push the module in and make sure the clips are locked into place, repeat this for the second module but make sure it's installed on the same coloured slot as the first one. Once this is done your done, so put your case back together plug it in and turn it on. If it works it will boot as normal and maybe even a bit faster, if it doesn't then your motherboards BIOS will tell you in the form of beeps. If this happens then just make sure you seated the Memory modules properly by re-seating them and try again if the problem persists then you may have a dodgy module. To test this pull one out and boot the PC if it works, then that modules fine. If it doesn't work then that module isn't fine, repeat this for the other module if you get another dodgy module then you should be marching back to the store with an angry intent for a refund or exchange. Once new modules are in hand repeat the previous parts of this tutorial.
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