RAM / Main Memory

 A PC’s third and principal level of system memory is referred to as main memory, or
Random Access Memory (RAM). It is an impermanent source of data, but is the main
memory area accessed by the hard disk. The more data it is possible to have available
in the RAM the faster the PC will run.

 Main memory is attached to the processor via its address and data buses. Each bus
consists of a number of electrical circuits or bits. The width of the address bus dictates
how many different memory locations can be accessed, and the width of the data bus
how much information is stored at each location. Every time a bit is added to the
width of the address bus, the address range doubles.

 Each transaction between the CPU and memory is called a bus cycle. The number of
data bits a CPU is able to transfer during a single bus cycle affects a computer’s
performance and dictates what type of memory the computer requires.

 Main memory is built up using DRAM chips, short for Dynamic RAM. DRAM has been
developed over the years on two main fronts: to be more compact, and to be faster to
access.

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 174
 SDRAM

 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, or SDRAM was developed in the

 It allowed computers to use a queue system to process memory searches and

 It could however only process one request at a time.

 SDRAM (Synchronized Dynamic Random Access Memory)has 168 pin DIMM and
operates with 3.3 volts. Its run at clock speed, meaning it synchronizes with the
bus speed

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 175
 DDR

 Double Data Rate RAM, or DDR RAM was developed to have twice the memory power
of a typical SDRAM chip.

 It does this by supporting the transfer of data by programs two at a time on both sides
of what is known as the clock cycle.

 DDR ram requires less processing power than SDRAM and is more energy efficient, as
well as being quicker and more suited to devices which need to process things quickly.

 DDR (Double Data Rate)is a type of SDRAM in which information is sent on both the
rise and fall of the clock signal.

 It is 2x the speed of SDRAM (double pumping). It operates at 2.5 volts and 184 pins

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 176
 DDR2

 Double Data Rate 2 RAM, or DDR2 RAM was developed after DDR to keep up with
quickly developing technology with higher demands.

 It is able to transfer data more quickly and efficiently than its predecessor.

 DDR2 can transfer more data at once (64 bits twice each clock cycle) and is not
compatible with previous DDR RAM slots.

 DDR2 has a higher clock cycle rate than DDR, and offers a higher bandwidth to users as
well as its other benefits.

 DDR2 iseven faster than DDR (2x). They have 240 pin DIMM (Dual In-line Memory
Module)

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 177
 DDR3

 Double Data Rate 3 RAM, or DDR3 RAM was developed after DDR2 to keep up with
even more developments in technology with increased demands.

 It is the current industry standard after first being developed in 2007 and is the fastest
RAM available to the public today.

 DDR3 has double the clock cycle rate of DDR2, and can transfer double the amount of
data at a faster speed. 4x faster than DDR

 This type of RAM also uses far less processing power than the previous types which
came before it. DDR3 is twice as fast as the [Link] has 240 pin DIMM

 The next upgrade of RAM, known as DDR4 is currently in development and expected
to begin appearing in products soon.

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 178
 SODIMM

 Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module, or SODIMM is a type of chip used for RAM
computer memory circuits.

 They are a smaller alternative for computers which may find DIMM chips use too much
processing power or take up too much space to install.

 They are generally around half the size of DIMMs, with a different number of pins and
notches that make the two not interchangeable.

 These type of chips are often found in devices such as routers, printers and notebook
or netbook computers and laptops.

 SODIMM is significantly smaller (68mm x 32mm) .

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 179
 RAMBUS

 Rambus Direct RAM, often also called RDRAM, is a type of dynamic RAM developed by
the company Rambus Inc. in the 1990s.

 This was developed around the same time as SDRAM and was also intended to speed
up the processing of memory by devices with increased technological demand.

 RDRAM and SDRAM became tangled in a format war, both competing for the same
audience of customers with fairly similar products.

 However, SDRAM proved to be a more cost-effective option and showed better

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 180
 DIMM

 Dual In-Line Memory Module, or DIMM is a type of chip used for RAM computer
memory circuits. They replaced Single In-Line Memory Modules as the industry
standard when processors became more complex and able to cope with more RAM.

 DIMMs use a circuit board to organise RAM circuits and have a different amounts of
pins and notches to SODIMMs.

 DIMMs usually run 64-bit data transfer, making them more efficient than their
predecessor, and are often found in devices such as PCs, servers and workstations.

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 181
 Storage Device

Pradeep Kumar P, Dept. of ICTS, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore - 641112 182