CHAPTER :4

Upgrading Memory

Compiled by: Yared A.Ergu

AUWC|Ethiopia

1
A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 Objectives

• Learn about the different kinds of physical memory

and how they work
• Learn how to upgrade memory
• Learn how to troubleshoot problems with memory

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 Memory
Types of Memory
•There are three types of memory:
– Secondary Memory
– Main Memory
– Cache Memory
1.Secondary memory
– It is the slowest and cheapest form of memory. It
cannot be processed directly by the CPU. It must first
be copied into primary storage (Main memory).
– Secondary memory devices include magnetic disks
like hard drives and floppy disks, optical disks such as
CDs and CDROMs, and magnetic tapes, which were
the first forms of secondary memory. 3
A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 Memory
2. The Main Memory
– The main characteristic of this type of memory is that
it is much faster than secondary memory (i.e., Hard
disk and CD ROM). When you launch a program, it is
loaded into and run from the main memory. Data
used by the program also is loaded into memory for
fast access. As new data is entered into the
computer, it also is stored in memory. However it is
more expensive than secondary memory.
Types of Main Memory
• RAM and ROM
– RAM and ROM are the two basic types of storage
memory in the PC. RAM and ROM memory are used
to store data to which fast access is required.
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 Memory
Due to its high cost, RAM and ROM memory is not used
to store large amounts of data permanently, such as
databases and word-processing documents.
– RAM is most commonly used as the temporary
storage area of CPU and other components of the
PC, such as video cards. The CPU uses this storage
space to hold both program instructions and
associated data. RAM is volatile, meaning that the
information it holds is dependent on a constant supply
of power. All data stored in it will be lost if the
computer is rebooted or turned off.
– ROM is typically used to store low-level hardware
instructions such as the motherboard and video-card
BIOS. ROM is non-volatile and does not require a
permanent power source to retain data.
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 Memory
3. Cache Memory
– Cache memory is a type of volatile memory, which is
used for extremely fast access of information that has
already been previously accessed from the main
memory. It saves the CPU from having to go to the
main memory. This in turn saves time.
– There are two types of caches: L1 and L2 cache. The
L1 cache is housed inside the CPU to gain as much
data transfer speed as possible while the L2 cache
was placed outside, but nowadays both L1 and L2
caches are inside the CPU.
– Both caches operate at the speed of the CPU. So if
the CPU is 3.2GHz, then the speed of the L1 and L2
caches are also 3.2GHz. That means that the time it
takes to access a memory location is: 0.3ns. 6
A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 Memory Technologies
• Random access memory (RAM)
– Holds data and instructions used by CPU
• Types of RAM (Based on architecture)
• There are two main types of RAM, and every other
RAM is based on the design of these two types:
– Static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Both volatile memory

Figure 5-1 RAM on motherboards today is stored

on DIMMs
Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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 RAM Types
• Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
– Static RAM stores data in an electronic circuit called a
flip-flop. SRAM is approximately four or five times
faster than DRAM. Since every bit cell requires six or
more transistors to function under SRAM, compared
to one per bit for DRAM, SRAM modules are
relatively larger and more expensive than DRAM.
They are normally reserved for speed critical
functions, such as the system cache.

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 RAM Types
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
– DRAM is used as the main or system memory of a
PC. It stores the operating system, application
programs and data while they are running.
It is created from transistors and capacitors. DRAM
stores data bits as electrical charges within the
structure of a single transistor. Each bit cell is very
small but the electrical charge gradually discharges,
causing the memory cell to lose its information. In
order to preserve the information, dynamic memory
has to be refreshed periodically by accessing each bit
cell at regular intervals. The refresh cycles slow down
the operation of DRAM but it is popular, mainly
because of its high-density (MB per chip) and low
price. 9
A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 DRAM Technologies
Types of DRAM
– Asynchronous DRAM
– Synchronous DRAM
Types of Asynchronous DRAM
1. FPM DRAM
– Fast Page Mode (FPM) DRAM offers faster accesses
than standard DRAM. While standard DRAM requires
that a row and column address be sent for each
access to a memory cell, FPM sends the row address
just once for many accesses to memory in locations
near each other. This improves access time.

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 DRAM Technologies
2. EDO DRAM
– Extended Data Output (EDO) DRAM uses a modified
chip design that provides improvements in read times
of up to 30%. This performance gain is achieved by
continuing to output data from one address, while
simultaneously setting up the access request for the
next one.
3. BEDO DRAM
– Burst Extended Data Output (BEDO) DRAM is
supported by some motherboards, but has not gained
wide acceptance. It is similar in performance to
Synchronous DRAM.

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 DRAM Technologies
Types of Synchronous DRAM
1. Synchronous DRAM
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is designed to run at
the motherboard clock speed. SDRAM can run at
much higher clock speeds than other types of DRAM
and will be able to cope with faster motherboard
designs as they appear on the market.
SDRAM is available in three clock speeds: 66, 100,
and 133MHz. Motherboards are designed to support
specific types of RAM. You should always check which
types of memory can be fitted before supplying or
installing upgrades.

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 DRAM Technologies
2. RDRAM (Rambus)
Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) has an effective clock
speed of up to 800MHz, compared to SDRAM's
133MHz. However, RDRAM has a bus width of 2 bytes
as opposed to SDRAM's bus width of 8 bytes. The
result is that RDRAM can achieve speeds of up to 1.6
GB/sec, while SDRAM can achieve speeds of up to
1.064 GB/sec. RDRAM is a proprietary memory type
and manufacturers who want to use it in their products
must pay a license fee to Intel and Rambus.

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 DRAM Technologies
3. DDR SDRAM
Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) is a variant
of SDRAM where data is transferred twice in one
cycle. It is available at speeds from 100 MHz to 166
MHz. The theoretical maximum bandwidth for 100
MHz DDR is 1.6 GB/sec (100 MHz x 2 x 8 bytes). DDR
is not as expensive as Rambus. SDRAM is referred to
by the clock speed (PC100, PC133, and so on). DDR
and the latest Rambus chips are labeled using the
maximum theoretical bandwidth (PC1600, PC2100,
and so on) - largely for marketing reasons.

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 RAM Versions/ Memory Module
• RAM Versions (Module) (based on packaging)
– The packaging is simply the entire makeup of a unit of
memory, such as the SIMM or DIMM. Since the
memory chips themselves are way too small, they
must be combined and put onto a medium that can be
worked with and added to a system. So, designers
took the memory chips, placed them on a small
fiberglass card, and created the memory module.
– There are several different memory package styles
1. DIP (Dual In-Line Package) - This is the old classic
"chip" package of memory modules, the kind with
small pins undrneath that are plugged into pin
sockets. While this design led to the ability to remove
as required, it also led to the issue of broken memory
pins. 15
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.

RAM Versions/Memory Module

2. SIP: Single In-line Package is memory package which
has one row of connecting pins.
3. SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Module): SIMMs comes
in two sizes, 30-pin and 72-pin. The 30 pin SIMMs
usually came with small amounts of memory (smaller
than 8MB). They are not used now, being mainly used
in earlier 486's and older machines. The 72-pin SIMMs
was much more popular, and was used on many
motherboards until SDRAM came into the picture.
Although you will occasionally see 72-pin SIMMS still in
use, it is usually only if you are opening up an old
system.

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A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 RAM Versions/ Memory Module
• SIMMs come in both single sided and double sided
designs. This refers to whether the SIMM has memory
chips on one side of the SIMM or both. Usually, 1, 4, and
16MB SIMMs are single sided. Other sizes are double
sided. Some double sided SIMMs are actually two single
sided SIMMS back to back, where they are wired
together within the fiberglass module. These designs
operate a little different electrically, explaining why some
boards only use SIMMs of certain sizes.
4. DIMMs
• The DIMM is a newer designed memory module with a
64-bit memory pathway. SDRAM comes in DIMM format
with 168 pins, and DDR-DRAM comes in DIMM format
with 184 pins.
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 RAM Versions/ Memory Module
• An architectural difference is the pin designs. With 72 pin
SIMMs, the electrical contacts (pins) are on both the
front and back, but are hooked together, so you only
have a total of 72 actual contacts. With DIMMs, the front
and back are kept separate, meaning you have 144 total
contacts. These contacts are more like little pads of
metal than pins. The edge connectors on each side of
card are electrically independent and this has the
following advantages:
• Doubles the available number of signal lines for a given
number of pins.
• Increase number of address and data bus lines width will
permit larger amount of memory.
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 RAM Versions/ Memory Module
• The first DIMMs only had these 144-pins and were
sometimes called "Small Outline" (SO) DIMMs. The 168-
pin layout is the most common. There are additional pins
added to the DIMM, which keeps the DIMM from being
confused with the SIMM.
• They come with choices. They come in either 3.3 volt or
5 volt designs. They also come unbuffered or buffered.
This leads to 4 choices. The most common is the 3.3 volt
unbuffered, although you need to consult your
motherboard's documentation to determine the type you
really should have.

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 DIMM Technologies
• DIMM (dual inline memory module)
– 64-bit data path
– Independent pins on opposite sides of module
– Older DIMMs
• Asynchronous with system bus
– Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
• Runs synchronously with system bus
• Two notches
• Uses 168 pins

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 RAM Versions
5. RIMMs
• Quickly, the RIMM is the packaging style used for
Rambus RDRAM. It is very similar to a DIMM, but uses
different pin settings. The word RIMM is actually a
trademark of Rambus, and used to refer to a module
using Rambus technology.
6. SODIMM: Small Out DIMM - for Portable PCs

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 Memory Technologies (cont’d.)

• Modules
– DIMM, small outline DIMM (SO-DIMM), microDIMMs
– RIMM and SIMM (outdated)
• Differences among DIMM, RIMM, SIMM modules
– Data path width each module accommodates
– How data moves from system bus to module

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 Table 5-1 Types of memory modules
Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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 Memory Technologies (cont’d.)
• JEDEC
– Standards organization
• Goal of new technology
– Increase overall throughput while retaining accuracy
– RAM manufacturers continue to produce older RAM

Figure 5-2 Timeline of memory technologies

Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning
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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Double Data Rate SDRAM
– Also called DDR SDRAM, SDRAM II, DDR
• Two times faster than SDRAM
– DDR2 SDRAM
• Faster than DDR and uses less power
– DDR3 SDRAM
• Faster than DDR2 and uses less power
– DDR2 and DDR3
• Use 240 pins
• Not compatible: use different notches
– Several factors affect capacity, features, and
performance
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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Single-sided DIMM
– Memory chips installed on one side of module
• Double-sided DIMM
– Memory chips installed on both sides of module
• Memory bank
– Memory processor addresses at one time
– 64 bits wide
• DIMMs can always be installed as single DIMMs on a
motherboard

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Single ranked
– DIMMs providing only one 64-bit bank
• Dual and quad ranked
– DIMMs providing two and four banks
• Quad is used on servers
– Reduces overall memory price at the expense of
performance
• Single-ranked DIMMs
– Cost more than dual and quad
– Provide better performance

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Early single channel DIMMs
– Memory controller is accessed one DIMM at a time
• Dual channels
– Memory controller communicates with two DIMMs at
the same time
• Doubles memory access speed
• Triple channels
– Accesses three DIMMs at once
• DDR, DDR2, DDR3 DIMMs use dual channels
– DDR3 DIMMs also use triple channels

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Setting up dual channeling
– Pair of DIMMs in a channel must be equally matched
• Size, speed, features
• Use same manufacturer (recommendation)
• Setting up triple-channeling
– Three DIMM slots populated with three matching
DDR3 DIMMs

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 Figure 5-3 Three identical DDR3 DIMMs installed in a triple-channel
configuration
Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)

• DIMM Speed
– Measured in MHz or PC rating
• PC rating
– Total bandwidth between module and CPU
– DDR2 PC rating
• Usually labeled PC2
– DDR3 PC rating
• Usually labeled PC3

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Error-correcting code (ECC)
– Detects and corrects error in a single bit
– Application: ECC makes 64-bit DIMM a 72-bit module
• Parity
– Error-checking based on an extra (ninth) bit
– Odd parity
• Parity bit set to make odd number of ones
– Even parity
• Parity bit set to make even number of ones
• Parity error
– Number of bits conflicts with parity used
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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)

• Size and density of a DIMM

– DIMMs can hold 8 MB to 2 GB of RAM
– DIMM size or DIMM capacity
• Amount of RAM installed on one DIMM
– Sometimes expressed as a formula = total memory
size/number of slots

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)

• Buffered and registered DIMMs

– Hold data and amplify signal before data written
– Registered DIMM
• Uses registers
– Unbuffered DIMM
• No buffers or register support
– Fully buffered DIMM (FB-DIMM)
• Uses an advanced buffering technique
• Allows servers to support a large number of DIMMs
– Notches on module indicate supported technologies

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 Figure 5-7 The positions of two notches on an SDRAM DIMM identify
the type of DIMM and the voltage requirement and also prevent the
wrong type from being installed on the motherboard
Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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 DIMM Technologies (cont’d.)
• Measuring access timing
– Amount of time it takes the memory to respond to a
command. It only affects the initial burst of data. Once
data starts flowing, latency is no longer significant.
– Two measures:
• Column access strobe (CAS) latency
• Row access strobe (RAS) latency
– Both refer to number of clock cycles it takes to write or
read a column or row of data off a memory module
• CAS latency used more than RAS latency
• Lower values are better than higher
• Latency is measured in terms of clock cycles. A CL=2
chip requires two clock cycles to respond, and a CL=3
chip requires three clock cycles, therefore CL=2 chips
complete the initial data access a little more quickly
than CL=3 chips
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A+ Guide to Hardware modified by Yared A.Ergu|AUWC
 RIMM Technologies

• Direct Rambus DRAM

– Also known as RDRAM, Direct RDRAM, Rambus
– RIMM memory module
– Expensive and slower than current DIMMs
– RIMMs using 16-bit data bus: two notches, 184 pins
– RIMMs using 32-bit data bus: single notch, 232 pins
• C-RIMM (Continuity RIMM)
– Placeholder module
– Ensures continuity throughout all slots
– No memory chip
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 Figure 5-8 A RIMM or C-RIMM must be installed in every
RIMM slot on the motherboard
Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

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 SIMM Technologies
• SIMMs rated by speed
– Measured in nanoseconds (ns)
– Measure of access time
• 60, 70, 80 nanoseconds (ns)
• Smaller number indicates greater speed
• Major SIMM categories
– 72-pin and 30-pin
• Technologies used by SIMMs
– FPM (fast page memory)
– EDO (extended data out)
– Burst EDO (BEDO)
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