Different RAM Types and its uses

Intro

The type of RAM doesn't matter nearly as much as how much of it you've got, but
using plain old SDRAM memory today will slow you down. There are three main types
of RAM: SDRAM, DDR and Rambus DRAM.

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)

Almost all systems used to ship with 3.3 volt, 168-pin SDRAM DIMMs. SDRAM is not
an extension of older EDO DRAM but a new type of DRAM altogether. SDRAM started
out running at 66 MHz, while older fast page mode DRAM and EDO max out at 50
MHz. SDRAM is able to scale to 133 MHz (PC133) officially, and unofficially up to
180MHz or higher. As processors get faster, new generations of memory such as DDR
and RDRAM are required to get proper performance.

DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM)

DDR basically doubles the rate of data transfer of standard SDRAM by transferring
data on the up and down tick of a clock cycle. DDR memory operating at 333MHz
actually operates at 166MHz * 2 (aka PC333 / PC2700) or 133MHz*2 (PC266 /
PC2100). DDR is a 2.5 volt technology that uses 184 pins in its DIMMs. It is
incompatible with SDRAM physically, but uses a similar parallel bus, making it easier
to implement than RDRAM, which is a different technology.

Check this site for information about DDR SDRAM memory and DDR Memory
recommendations.

Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)

Despite it's higher price, Intel has given RDRAM it's blessing for the consumer
market, and it will be the sole choice of memory for Intel's Pentium 4. RDRAM is a
serial memory technology that arrived in three flavors, PC600, PC700, and PC800.
PC800 RDRAM has double the maximum throughput of old PC100 SDRAM, but a
higher latency. RDRAM designs with multiple channels, such as those in Pentium 4
motherboards, are currently at the top of the heap in memory throughput, especially
when paired with PC1066 RDRAM memory.

DIMMs vs. RIMMs

DRAM comes in two major form factors: DIMMs and RIMMS.

DIMMs are 64-bit components, but if used in a motherboard with a dual-channel

configuration (like with an Nvidia nForce chipset) you must pair them to get
maximum performance. So far there aren't many DDR chipset that use dual-
channels. Typically, if you want to add 512 MB of DIMM memory to your machine,
you just pop in a 512 MB DIMM if you've got an available slot. DIMMs for SDRAM and
DDR are different, and not physically compatible. SDRAM DIMMs have 168-pins and
run at 3.3 volts, while DDR DIMMs have 184-pins and run at 2.5 volts.

RIMMs use only a 16-bit interface but run at higher speeds than DDR. To get
maximum performance, Intel RDRAM chipsets require the use of RIMMs in pairs over
a dual-channel 32-bit interface. You have to plan more when upgrading and
purchasing RDRAM.
 From the top: SIMM, DIMM and SODIMM memory modules

Memory Speed
SDRAM initially shipped at a speed of 66MHz. As memory buses got faster, it was
pumped up to 100MHz, and then 133MHz. The speed grades are referred to as PC66
(unofficially), PC100 and PC133 SDRAM respectively. Some manufacturers are
shipping a PC150 speed grade. However, this is an unofficial speed rating, and of
little use unless you plan to overclock your system.

DDR comes in PC1600, PC2100, PC2700 and PC3200 DIMMs. A PC1600 DIMM is made
up of PC200 DDR chips, while a PC2100 DIMM is made up of PC266 chips. PC2700
uses PC333 DDR chips and PC3200 uses PC400 chips that haven't gained widespread
support. Go for PC2700 DDR. It is about the cost of PC2100 memory and will give you
better performance.

RDRAM comes in PC600, PC700, PC800 and PC1066 speeds. Go for PC1066 RDRAM if
you can find it. If you can't, PC800 RDRAM is widely available.

CAS Latency
SDRAM comes with latency ratings or "CAS (Column Address Strobe) latency" ratings.
Standard PC100 / PC133 SDRAM comes in CAS 2 or CAS 3 speed ratings. The lower
latency of CAS 2 memory will give you more performance. It also costs a bit more,
but it's worth it.

DDR memory comes in CAS 2 and CAS 2.5 ratings, with CAS 2 costing more and
performing better.

RDRAM has no CAS latency ratings, but may eventually come in 32 and 4 bank forms
with 32-bank RDRAM costing more and performing better. For now, it's all 32-bank
RDRAM.

Understanding Cache
Cache Memory is fast memory that serves as a buffer between the processor and
main memory. The cache holds data that was recently used by the processor and
saves a trip all the way back to slower main memory. The memory structure of PCs is
often thought of as just main memory, but it's really a five or six level structure:

The first two levels of memory are contained in the processor itself, consisting of the
processor's small internal memory, or registers, and L1 cache, which is the first
level of cache, usually contained in the processor.

The third level of memory is the L2 cache, usually contained on the motherboard.
However, the Celeron chip from Intel actually contains 128K of L2 cache within the
form factor of the chip. More and more chip makers are planning to put this cache on
board the processor itself. The benefit is that it will then run at the same speed as
the processor, and cost less to put on the chip than to set up a bus and logic
externally from the processor.

The fourth level, is being referred to as L3 cache. This cache used to be the L2 cache
on the motherboard, but now that some processors include L1 and L2 cache on the
chip, it becomes L3 cache. Usually, it runs slower than the processor, but faster than
main memory.

The fifth level (or fourth if you have no "L3 cache") of memory is the main memory
itself.

The sixth level is a piece of the hard disk used by the Operating System, usually
called virtual memory. Most operating systems use this when they run out of main
memory, but some use it in other ways as well.

This six-tiered structure is designed to efficiently speed data to the processor when it
needs it, and also to allow the operating system to function when levels of main
memory are low. You might ask, "Why is all this necessary?" The answer is cost. If
there were one type of super-fast, super-cheap memory, it could theoretically satisfy
the needs of this entire memory architecture. This will probably never happen since
you don't need very much cache memory to drastically improve performance, and
there will always be a faster, more expensive alternative to the current form of main
memory.

Memory Redundancy
One important aspect to consider in memory is what level of redundancy you want.
There are a few different levels of redundancy available in memory. Depending on
your motherboard, it may support all or some of these types of memory:

The cheapest and most prevalent level of redundancy is non-parity memory. When
you have non-parity memory in your machine and it encounters a memory error, the
operating system will have no way of knowing and will most likely crash, but could
corrupt data as well with no way of telling the OS. This is the most common type of
memory, and unless specified, that's what you're getting. It works fine for most
applications, but I wouldn't run life support systems on it.

The second level of redundancy is parity memory (also called true parity). Parity
memory has extra chips that act as parity chips. Thus, the chip will be able to detect
when a memory error has occurred and signal the operating system. You'll probably
still crash, but at least you'll know why.
The third level of redundancy is ECC (Error Checking and Correcting). This requires
even more logic and is usually more expensive. Not only does it detect memory
errors, but it also corrects 1-bit ECC errors. If you have a 2-bit error, you will still have
some problems. Some motherboards enable you to have ECC memory.

Older memory types

Fast Page Mode DRAM
Fast Page Mode DRAM is plain old DRAM as we once knew it. The problem with
standard DRAM was that it maxes out at about 50 MHz.

EDO DRAM
EDO DRAM gave people up to 5% system performance increase over DRAM. EDO
DRAM is like FPM DRAM with some cache built into the chip. Like FPM DRAM, EDO
DRAM maxes out at about 50 MHz. Early on, some system makers claimed that if you
used EDO DRAM you didn't need L2 cache in your computer to get decent
performance. They were wrong. It turns out that EDO DRAM works along with L2
cache to make things even faster, but if you lose the L2 cache, you lose a lot of
speed.

Types of RAM
The following are some common types of RAM:

• SRAM: Static random access memory uses multiple transistors, typically four to
six, for each memory cell but doesn't have a capacitor in each cell. It is used
primarily for cache.
• DRAM: Dynamic random access memory has memory cells with a paired
transistor and capacitor requiring constant refreshing.
• FPM DRAM: Fast page mode dynamic random access memory was the
original form of DRAM. It waits through the entire process of locating a bit of
data by column and row and then reading the bit before it starts on the next bit.
Maximum transfer rate to L2 cache is approximately 176 MBps.
• EDO DRAM: Extended data-out dynamic random access memory does not
wait for all of the processing of the first bit before continuing to the next one. As
soon as the address of the first bit is located, EDO DRAM begins looking for the
next bit. It is about five percent faster than FPM. Maximum transfer rate to L2
cache is approximately 264 MBps.
• SDRAM: Synchronous dynamic random access memory takes advantage of
the burst mode concept to greatly improve performance. It does this by staying on
the row containing the requested bit and moving rapidly through the columns,
reading each bit as it goes. The idea is that most of the time the data needed by the
CPU will be in sequence. SDRAM is about five percent faster than EDO RAM
and is the most common form in desktops today. Maximum transfer rate to L2
cache is approximately 528 MBps.
• DDR SDRAM: Double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM is just like
SDRAM except that is has higher bandwidth, meaning greater speed. Maximum
transfer rate to L2 cache is approximately 1,064 MBps (for DDR SDRAM 133
MHZ).
 • RDRAM: Rambus dynamic random access memory is a radical departure from
the previous DRAM architecture. Designed by Rambus, RDRAM uses a Rambus
in-line memory module (RIMM), which is similar in size and pin configuration
to a standard DIMM. What makes RDRAM so different is its use of a special
high-speed data bus called the Rambus channel. RDRAM memory chips work in
parallel to achieve a data rate of 800 MHz, or 1,600 MBps. Since they operate at
such high speeds, they generate much more heat than other types of chips. To help
dissipate the excess heat Rambus chips are fitted with a heat spreader, which
looks like a long thin wafer. Just like there are smaller versions of DIMMs, there
are also SO-RIMMs, designed for notebook computers.
• Credit Card Memory: Credit card memory is a proprietary self-contained
DRAM memory module that plugs into a special slot for use in notebook
computers.
• PCMCIA Memory Card: Another self-contained DRAM module for notebooks,
cards of this type are not proprietary and should work with any notebook
computer whose system bus matches the memory card's configuration.
• CMOS RAM: CMOS RAM is a term for the small amount of memory used by
your computer and some other devices to remember things like hard disk settings
-- see Why does my computer need a battery? for details. This memory uses a
small battery to provide it with the power it needs to maintain the memory
contents.
• VRAM: VideoRAM, also known as multiport dynamic random access
memory (MPDRAM), is a type of RAM used specifically for video adapters or 3-
D accelerators. The "multiport" part comes from the fact that VRAM normally
has two independent access ports instead of one, allowing the CPU and graphics
processor to access the RAM simultaneously. VRAM is located on the graphics
card and comes in a variety of formats, many of which are proprietary. The
amount of VRAM is a determining factor in the resolution and color depth of the
display. VRAM is also used to hold graphics-specific information such as 3-D
geometry data and texture maps. True multiport VRAM tends to be expensive, so
today, many graphics cards use SGRAM (synchronous graphics RAM) instead.
Performance is nearly the same, but SGRAM is cheaper.

Recent developments
Several new types of non-volatile RAM, which will preserve data while powered down,
are under development. The technologies used include carbon nanotubes and approaches
utilizing the magnetic tunnel effect. Amongst the 1st generation MRAM, a 128 KiB
(128 × 210 bytes) magnetic RAM (MRAM) chip was manufactured with 0.18 µm
technology in the summer of 2003. In June 2004, Infineon Technologies unveiled a
16 MiB (16 × 220 bytes) prototype again based on 0.18 µm technology. There are two 2nd
generation techniques currently in development: Thermal Assisted Switching (TAS)[3]
which is being developed by Crocus Technology, and Spin Torque Transfer (STT) on
which Crocus, Hynix, IBM, and several other companies are working[4]. Nantero built a
functioning carbon nanotube memory prototype 10 GiB (10 × 230 bytes) array in 2004.
Whether some of these technologies will be able to eventually take a significant market
share from either DRAM, SRAM, or flash-memory technology, however, remains to be
seen.

Since 2006, "Solid-state drives" (based on flash memory) with capacities exceeding 64
gigabytes and performance far exceeding traditional disks have become available. This
development has started to blur the definition between traditional random access memory
and "disks", dramatically reducing the difference in performance. There is also active
research in the field of plastic magnets, which switch magnetic polarities based on light.
[citation needed]

Some kinds of random-access memory, such as "EcoRAM", are specifically designed for
server farms, where low power consumption is more important than speed. [5]