Memory slot
A memory slot, memory socket, or RAM slot is what allows computer memory (RAM) to be inserted into the computer. Depending on the motherboard, there may be 2 to 4 memory slots (sometimes more on high-end motherboards) and are what determine the type of RAM used with the computer. The most common types of RAM are SDRAM and DDR for desktop computers and SODIMM for laptop computers, each having various types and speeds. In the picture below, is an example of what memory slots may look like inside a desktop computer. In this picture, there are three open available slots for three memory sticks.
When buying a new computer or
motherboard, pay close attention to the types of RAM the memory slots, so you
are familiar with what type of RAM to buy for your computer. It is also
important to note how many available memory slots are available in your
computer. It is not uncommon for computers to have all memory slots occupied,
which means if you wanted to upgrade your computer memory some or all of the
memory would need to be removed first.
SDRAM
SDRAM, which is short for Synchronous DRAM, is a type of memory that synchronizes itself with
the computer's system clock.
Being synchronized allows the memory to run at higher speeds than previous
memory types and asynchronous DRAM and also supports up to 133MHz system bus
cycling. Since 1993,
this has been the prevalent type of memory used in computers around the world.
In the picture below is an example of a SDRAM DIMM. The original type, named
SDRAM, up to the current type, DDR3, are all derivatives of the SDRAM memory
type.
DDR
1. Short for Double Data Rate, DDR is
memory that was first introduced in 1996 and
has since been replaced by DDR2.
DDR utilizes both the rising and falling edge of the system clock, potentially
of doubling the speed of the memory. Today, DDR technology is found on
high-end video cards and computer memory such
as DDR-SDRAM
2.
DRAM
Short for Dynamic Random Access Memory, DRAM is
one of the most commonly found RAM modules in PC compatible personal computers and
workstations. It stores its information in a cell containing a capacitor and transistor;
because of this design, these cells must be refreshed with new electricity
every few milliseconds for
the memory to keep holding its data. DRAM was first invented and patented by Robert Dennard in 1968 and first released commercially by Intel in October 1970. The image below shows a memory module with
eight DRAM integrated circuits on
its visible side.
DDR2
Short for Double Data Rate, DDR2 is the second generation of DDR memory that was released in September of 2003. DDR2 is capable of operating at
greater speeds than DDR, offers a greater bandwidth potential, operates on less
power, and generates less heat. Due to architectural differences, DDR2 memory modules are incompatible with DDR slots.
DDR3
Short for double
data rate three, DDR3 is a type of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)
released in June of 2007 as
the successor to DDR2.
DDR3 chips have bus clock speed of 400 MHz up to 1066 MHz, range in size from 1
to 24 GB, and consume
nearly 30% less power than their predecessors. These memory chips can only be
installed on a motherboard that
supports DDR3 memory and are not backward compatible with DDR2 memory slots.
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