Alternately referred to as multi-channel memory, dual-channel memory is a DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 chipset on the motherboard providing RAM with two dedicated high-throughput data channels. The channels permit reading from and writing to memory to occur on distinct channels.
To take advantage of a dual-channel platform when purchasing memory make sure to buy memory in identical pairs. For example, if you wanted to upgrade to an additional 2 GB of memory. Buy two 1 GB memory modules that are exactly identical. While the speed of each memory chip does not need to be the same as the others, it is best to install memory with matching speeds. If the speeds differ, the motherboard runs the memory chips at the speed of the slowest chip.
The memory slots are keyed for DDR2 memory and cannot accept other modules. The memory modules themselves are also keyed differently. DDR RAM has 184 pins while DDR2 RAM has 240 pins. The new DDR2 memory modules physically look different than previous modules. Use care when installing memory modules into the connectors. QuoraDdr Memory Slots Definition. Ddr memory slots definition Double Data Rate SDRAM. (DIMM) DIMM is a memory module with 168 pins as. Some motherboards require.DIMM (dual in-line memory module) slots are the place on your motherboard where the RAM goes. As such, you may also see DIMM slots referred to as “RAM slots.” The more DIMM slots your motherboard has, the more RAM you can. Because of its unique height and design, all four DIMM slots in the DS10L server can be utilized, allowing customers to double the maximum memory capacity to 2GB by installing two 1GB upgrade options (4.
Finally, if you are only installing two memory modules at a time make sure the memory is installed into the proper memory slots. Almost always the memory slots will be color-coded to indicate the memory channel, as shown in the picture below. The first channel is often slots one and two, and the second channel is three and four. When installing memory in pairs make sure to install them into the same colored slot to take advantage of the dual-channel platform.
As can be assumed by the names, triple-channel architecture triples the available memory bandwidth and Quad-channel architecture quadruples the memory bandwidth. As with dual-channel architecture memory should be installed in a set of three or four depending on the architecture of the motherboard.
How do I know if dual-channel is active?
When active your initial boot screen that displays your memory speeds and capacity should show 'Dual Channel' or 'Dual Channel Interleaved' somewhere in the memory settings. Alternatively, software programs like CPU-Z can also detect and display this information.
I have four memory chips, do they all need to be the same?
For dual-channel, you only need to install memory in pairs. All four memory sticks do not need to be the same, only the pairs need to be the same and installed in their proper memory slots.
Related pages
A 200-pin PC2-5300 DDR2 SO-DIMM
A 204-pin PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMM
A comparison between 200-pin DDR and DDR2 SDRAM SO-DIMMs, and a 204-pin DDR3 SO-DIMM module[1]
Ddr Ddr2 Ddr3 Ddr4
A SO-DIMM slot on a computer motherboard
A SO-DIMM, SODIMM, or small outline dual in-line memory module, is a type of computer memory built using integrated circuits. SO-DIMMs are a smaller alternative to a DIMM, being roughly half the size of regular DIMMs.
SO-DIMMs are often used in systems that have limited space, which include laptops, notebooks, small-footprint personal computers such as those based on Mini-ITXmotherboards, high-end upgradable office printers, and networking hardware such as routers and NAS devices.[2]
Ddr Memory Type
- 1Visual identification
Visual identification[edit]
Most types of SO-DIMMs can be recognized visually by the distinctive notches that “key” them for different applications:[1]
- 100-pin SO-DIMMs (SDR SDRAM) have two notches.[3]
- 144-pin SO-DIMMs (SDR SDRAM) have a single notch near the center.[4]
- 200-pin SO-DIMMs (DDR SDRAM or DDR2 SDRAM) have a single notch nearer to one side.[5] The exact location of this notch varies (read below).
- 204-pin SO-DIMMs (DDR3 SDRAM) have a single notch closer to the center than on 200-pin SO-DIMMs.[6]
- 260-pin SO-DIMMs (DDR4 SDRAM), 69.6 mm (2.74 inches) wide and 30 mm (1.2 inches) high, making them 2 mm (0.079 inches) wider than DDR3 SO-DIMMs, with a single notch after pin 144.[7]
- 260-pin SO-DIMMs (UniDIMM), 69.6 mm (2.74 inches) wide and 30 mm (1.2 inches) or 20 mm (0.79 inches) high, with a single notch placed differently than on DDR3 SO-DIMMs.[8][9]
Variants of 200-pin SO-DIMMs[edit]
The 200-pin SO-DIMM can be of the types DDR and DDR2. In both cases the notch is located at one fifth of the board length (20 pins + notch + 80 pins), but in DDR2 the notch is located slightly closer to the center of the board. These two types of memory are not interchangeable. The different notch locations are designed to prevent cross-installation, aiding at the same time in visually identifying 200-pin SO-DIMM modules.[1]
This variance is designed to prevent coupling of memory and controllers of different DDR generations due to electrical incompatibility. DDR SO-DIMMs operate at 2.5 V while DDR2 SO-DIMMs operate at 1.8 V.[10]
Variants of DDR3 SO-DIMMs[edit]
These modules, while using the same physical layout, may differ in the specified voltage - 1.5 or 1.35 volts. The lower voltage modules are sometimes, but not always, identified as DDR3L - see also DDR3 SDRAM.
General characteristics[edit]
200-pin and 204-pin SO-DIMMs are 67.6 mm (2.66 inches) long, 31.75 mm (1.250 inches) wide, having a maximum total depth of 3.8 mm (0.15 inches).[11]
SO-DIMMs are nearly equal in power and voltage rating to DIMMs; SO-DIMM technology does not mean lower performance compared to larger DIMMs. For example, DDR3 SO-DIMMs provide clock speeds such as 533 MHz (1066 MT/s, PC3-8500), CAS latencies such as 7, and higher capacities such as 4 GB per module.[12]
DDR2 SO-DIMM memory modules commonly have clock speeds from 200 MHz upward (specifications). 204-pin SO-DIMMs can also contain DDR3 SDRAM, with specifications such as PC3-6400, PC3-8500, PC3-10600, PC3-14900 and PC3-17000.[13] 260-pin UniDIMMs contain DDR3 or DDR4 SDRAM depending on configuration. Some SO-DIMMs provide ECC functionality; unbuffered ECC SO-DIMMs are called SO-CDIMMs.[14]
See also[edit]
- Dual in-line package (DIP)
- Memory geometry – logical configuration of RAM modules (channels, ranks, banks, etc.)
- Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM)
- Single in-line memory module (SIMM)
- Single in-line package (SIP)
- Zig-zag in-line package (ZIP)
References[edit]
- ^ abc'Are DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 SO-DIMM memory modules interchangeable?'. acer.custhelp.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^Synology Inc. 'Synology RAM Module'. synology.com.
- ^'RAMCHECK 100-Pin DDR Adapter, a tool for testing and identifying JEDEC-compliant 100-pin DDR SO-DIMM modules'. memorytesters.com. 2013. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'Small-outline SDRAM module (MT16LSDF3264(L)H 256 MB and MT16LSDF6464(L)H 512 MB) Datasheet'(PDF). Micron Technology. 2006-05-03. p. 22. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'DDR DIMM & SODIMM Modules (184-pin DDR DIMM, 100-pin DDR DIMM, and 200-pin DDR SO-DIMM modules)'(PDF). smartm.com. 2011. p. 4. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'NT2GC64B(C)H4B0PS / NT4GC64B(C)88B0(1)NS / NT8GC64B(C)8HB0NS PC3(L)-10600 / PC3(L)-12800 Unbuffered DDR3 SO-DIMM'(PDF). nanya.com. December 2012. p. 23. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'DDR4 SDRAM SO-DIMM (MTA18ASF1G72HZ, 8 GB) Datasheet'(PDF). Micron Technology. 2014-09-10. p. 18. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^Geof Findley; Becky Loop (2014-09-16). 'DDR4: The Right Memory for Your Next Server and High-End Desktop System'(PDF). intel.activeevents.com. Intel. p. 28. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'How Intel Plans to Transition Between DDR3 and DDR4 for the Mainstream'. techpowerup.com. 2014-09-14. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^'DRAM – Can I mix DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 modules-my PC?'. integralmemory.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^micron.com - 200 Pin, PC2700 DDR SDRAM Unbuffered SO–DIMM REFERENCE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONArchived 2010-09-23 at the Wayback Machine page 26
- ^'Corsair Memory — 4GB DDR3 SODIMM Memory (CM3X4GSD1066)'. corsair.com. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
- ^'204-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Unbuffered SODIMM Design Specification'.
- ^'Define-SO-CDIMM'. RAMpedia. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SO-DIMM. |
- Ruggedizing RAM for industrial systems (XR-DIMM form factor)
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