In “Gaming” No. 4/2013, we launched a series of materials “Rules of Selection”, dedicated to the main technical parameters of computer hardware. Despite the general name, each article is completely independent and talks not only about what characteristics a certain type of equipment has, but also about which of them are important to pay attention to and which are not so important.
In the first two releases we managed to deal with processors and motherboards, now it’s the turn of the RAM. It doesn’t have many parameters, but they are all worthy of close attention. Today we will find out how many gigabytes to take, whether multi-channel is really important and whether it is worth overpaying for the frequency. Well, to consolidate the theory, we will conduct a series of express tests and tell you where the RAM came from and what other options there were in the past.
Volume
Determining the role of RAM in a computer is not difficult. Our main computing unit, the processor, requires a constant supply of data to operate continuously. All the firewood is stored on the hard drive, but the crystal is akin to a huge warehouse located a thousand kilometers away. Information from it is too slow and cannot satisfy the needs of the stone. And so that the expensive thing does not stand idle, there is RAM, a local shed into which the necessary materials are delivered in advance and, as needed, sent to the CPU at a speed that is prohibitive for a conventional hard drive.
What is stored in the shed? Yes, everything. If you're interested, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete right now and look at the numbers in the Task Manager. A gigabyte and a half is occupied by a dozen open tabs in the browser, about a hundred megabytes are consumed by the antivirus, and the system software gradually fills the space. And as long as there is free space, it looks peaceful and everyday. The key word is “yet.”
Launching a resource-intensive application or even opening a particularly “heavy” page in Google Chrome - and the memory is gone. From the point of view of a stupid piece of hardware, everything is fine. Well, there is no fast storage, and to hell with it: let’s throw the files into “swap” (a piece of HDD allocated for such cases) and we will continue to work. For us, such a solution turns into hell: brakes, freezes and broken mice and keyboards.
There are three ways to fight the Achtung. The first is to stop nervously clicking on icons and go drink tea. Sooner or later, the system will deal with the horror that is happening, redistribute the load and return to normal. The second is to monitor running programs and prevent memory from overflowing: close unnecessary tabs in the browser in advance, quit working with Word, photographs and graphic editors. Well, the third - the simplest - increase the amount of RAM.
How much should I take?
How much the system needs depends on your needs. For office work and active Internet surfing, 4 GB is enough. Those who like to watch online videos are better off getting 8 GB. Well, for people in creative professions who cannot imagine themselves without photo/audio/video editors, 128 GB may not be enough.
As for the games, you will be pleasantly surprised. The volume has virtually no effect on fps. We checked BioShock Infinite and "heaviest" Metro: Last Light on the stand with 2, 4, 8 and 12 GB of RAM. The difference between the first and last options was only 3%! Of course, the “purity” of the operating system played a role here, but the general trend is clear: with a limited budget, it makes more sense to invest money in a video card rather than “extra” gigabytes; the result will be more noticeable.
It is much more difficult to decide which levels to set. The most common are 2/4/8 GB, although there are also rarities of 1 GB or even 512 MB. It would seem that the simplest thing is to take a thicker model and not bother your head with nonsense. But such frivolity scares many: “What about two-channel?” Yes, there is such a thing.
Channels
As we have already explained, memory takes data from the hard drive and transfers it to the processor. It does not know how to work over the air and uses a data bus, behind the scenes called a channel. It can transmit up to 64 bits of information per cycle, and thanks to some features of the RAM, even 128 bits (which is encrypted in the name - Double Data Rate (DDR)). These figures, it must be said, are more than impressive and for DDR3-1066 MHz they provide a throughput of 8528 MB/s (the same PC-8500 marking). There is only one problem: the channel is used by all modules in turn, and hence the performance drop.
They set out to solve the problem with the release of the Pentium 4 - they added another bus to the motherboard, hung every second strip on it and introduced the concept of dual-channel. The latter meant the following: if you put two identical modules in slots of different channels, the computer will perceive them as one, especially fat memory stick and will communicate with it at a speed of 256 bits per clock. That is, it will increase throughput from 8528 to 17,056 MB/s.
Sounds promising, but only in theory. According to our tests in Everest, the increase from the additional track is only 3 GB/s, which in games is expressed as “plus 2-3%” to the fps counter (see our tables). Of course, taking into account the comparable cost of 2x2 GB and 1x4 GB, the bonus is nice, it’s not worth sacrificing, but there is a nuance.
The motherboard supports a strictly defined amount of memory. Does the performance specification say “4x DDR3 up to 16 GB”? This means that the chipset can accept four modules with a capacity of up to 4 GB each. If you take versions with a smaller capacity, in the future, when upgrading, you will not be able to realize the full potential of your system.
If you don’t have enough money for two recommended models at once, that’s okay. Take one, then buy another bracket and organize a two-channel system. There are no particular problems with this now, the main thing is to adhere to the rule of the same volume and speed, which we will discuss separately.
Behind the speed
The standard for RAM today is 1333 MHz. However, there are strips that are much faster and noticeably more expensive. What are they needed for? Yes, all for the same thing - increasing throughput.
It is calculated simply: we multiply the module frequency by the bus width (64 bits) and divide by eight to get to the bytes. A logical conclusion follows from this formula: speed directly affects throughput, and therefore leads to an increase in fps. But if we take into account the two-channel tests, then for another pair of frames the frequency must be doubled. That is, buy the 2600 MHz version instead of DDR3-1333 MHz, which is one and a half times more expensive. Whether it's worth it is up to you to decide.
If the answer is positive, do not forget to check whether the motherboard supports the selected models: the available options are marked in the same column as the maximum volume. Well, pay attention to the timings of the bars. They are written in the form of four numbers - for example, “9-9-9-24”. Each number indicates how many clock cycles the module needs to move to the next row or column of data. The lower the value, the better for performance. As a rule, as the frequency increases, the timings increase, and this leads to an increase in unwanted delays.
***
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in choosing memory sticks. We decide on the required volume, decide whether extra speed is needed, and off we go shopping. You don’t have to strain too much with manufacturers - chips are mostly supplied to everyone by either Samsung, or Hynix. The same applies to powerful cooling. The memory is not prone to overheating, and even top-end computers with several video cards are equipped with the most common memory sticks at 300 rubles per 1 GB.
Table 1
|
Test bench |
|
|
Motherboard | |
|
CPU |
Intel Core i7-920 |
|
RAM |
6x Kingston HyperX DDR3-2000 MHz, 2 GB |
|
HDD |
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 |
|
Solid State Drive |
Kingston SSDNow, 64 GB |
|
power unit | |
Table 2.
Synthetic tests
EVEREST Ultimate Edition 5.5
|
Read (MB/s) |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
Write (MB/s) |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
Copy (MB/s) |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
Latency (ns) |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
3DMark 11
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
4x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
6x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
4x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
6x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
4x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
6x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
============================
Table 3.
Game tests
|
BioShock Infinite |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
4x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
6x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
Metro: Last Light |
|
|
2x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 4 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
1x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
4x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
|
6x 2 GB, 1066 MHz | |
32 or 64 bit
In order to use more than 4 GB of RAM on your computer, you must install 64-bit versions of operating systems. Oddly enough, this requirement is not far-fetched and is easily explained.
In electronics, all information is stored in binary code: it is written as a sequence of “ones” and “zeros”. Each such value occupies one bit in memory. Actually, their number and role can be represented as the number of cells in a notebook in which one or another number can be entered. If there are only eight positions, then no more than 256 sequences (2 8) can be written in them. That is, the number of number options and their accuracy after the decimal point will be greatly limited. If you produce 32 cells, the range will expand to 4.3 billion sequences (2 32). In the case of 64 cells, it will reach an astronomical 18,446,744 trillion! What does memory have to do with it? Let's explain now.
Physically, one bit of RAM is a set of a transistor and a capacitor, a small battery. If there is a charge on the latter, for the computer it means “one”; if there is no charge, it means “zero”. Each such tandem of elements has its own address, at which the processor finds the location of the information. So, 32 bits are enough to number only 4 GB. For more options, you need to use 64-bit recording, which allows you to number up to 16 exabytes (1024 GB).
Note that memory addressability is one of the main advantages of RAM, which allows you to directly access the desired cell, rather than wasting time and reading data sequentially. Scientifically, this feature is called “dynamic memory,” and the RAM itself is called “Dynamic Random Access Memory, DRAM.” But for the popular “random access memory device”, in specialized institutes, not only their heads are torn off, but something even worse is torn off.
Remember all
History of RAM
While some are discussing the future arrival of DDR4 and the associated increases in speed/timing/power consumption, we decided to turn around and see how it all started and where the RAM so close to our hearts came from. Usually in such materials it is customary to recall only the numerous types of modern DRAM, but we will go much further. After all, the first samples of these devices looked much more interesting and worked on completely different principles.
The first DRAM and also the direct ancestor of the DDR3 in your computer.
BC
Charles Babbage himself spoke about the need for fast storage when, in 1834, having created the world's first calculating machine, he sat down to develop an analytical apparatus the size of a house. Unfortunately, the then elite, although infected with his bright ideas, refused to give the required amount of money. The construction died down, the passions somehow subsided by themselves, and, to be honest, there was no time for operatives then.
Babbage's legacy was remembered only after the Second World War. In 1946, the famous mathematician and part-time one of the developers of the “Fat Man” atomic bomb, John von Neumann, described the basic principles of computer architecture. Among them was RAM in its current understanding.
However, at that time it was not possible to rivet many, many strips of several gigabytes each. Firstly, there was still a year left before the creation of the transistor, and secondly, hundreds of bytes then seemed like a miracle. Therefore, it was necessary to use either defective mercury delay lines, which were read sequentially, that is, in translation today, in order to get to the fourth gigabyte, it was necessary to read the previous three. Or use prototypes of modern dynamic memory called cathode ray tubes named after Frederick Williams.
Although the mercury delay lines looked impressive, they worked very poorly: information was read from them sequentially, and this had a bad effect on overall performance.
First step
They appeared in 1946 and looked suspiciously like military radar screens (which were what Frederick developed during his main working hours). The electron beam placed green dots on the display in a certain order, which were then read by a special plate with electrodes. A lit light meant “zero”, an extinguished light meant “one”. The main feature of the method was that luminous spots could be removed in any sequence, and for this the memory received the title “with random access” (Random Access Memory, or simply RAM). This is also where the definition of “volatile carrier” grows. The dots on the screen lasted only 0.2 seconds and had to be constantly updated. When the power was turned off, all information was erased, just like in a modern PC.
Williams tubes were used only briefly, from about the late 1940s to the first half of the 1950s. However, they still managed to leave a mark in history. The most famous systems based on them were the British Ferranti Mark 1 and Manchester Mark 1, the American IBM 701 and IBM 702, and even our Soviet computers M-1 and Strela.
The disadvantages of the invention included small volume (some 256 bytes), high heating, low reliability, general high cost and relatively large size. In general, scientists had to push themselves again and come up with a memory on magnetic cores (Magnetic Core Memory).
The Williams tube was essentially an ordinary radar monitor on which green dots corresponding to “zeros” were lit.
Didn't share
The main component of the idea was the ferrite ring. If two wires are passed through it and current is applied to them, the direction of the magnetization of the object will change, and, accordingly, one of two positions will be set, “one” or “zero”. To read the resulting vector, it is necessary to add another cable, on which, under certain conditions, a pulse will appear.
As often happens, it is impossible to say exactly who first came up with the scheme. According to some sources, John Presper Eckert, the creator of the ENIAC computer, first spoke on this topic in 1945. And its implementation in 1949 was undertaken by young Harvard scientists Wang An and Waidong Wu.
According to other sources, fame belongs to Jay Forrester from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since 1947, this prominent figure, commissioned by the Ministry of Defense, designed the Whirlwind supercomputer. And since the military industry does not tolerate such things as “unreliability,” Jay, by 1949, came up with the idea of using ferrite rings instead of the Williams ray tube. According to him, he had never heard of any comrades from Harvard, but found out everything on his own.
Now you can’t tell who was right in this story; The main thing is that by the mid-1950s, memory on magnetic cores began to be used everywhere. It worked much faster than its predecessor (at a speed of about 1 MHz) and could store up to 1024 bits of data on relatively compact plates the size of an adult’s palm.
Plus, MCM was not afraid of the lack of electricity, elevated temperatures, radiation, or electromagnetic pulses, which means it was a favorite of the military. The latter even sent it into space on shuttles, and not as a useless load, but as a working element of control systems. For example, it was from it that in 1986 information was read after the explosion of the infamous Challenger.
Memory on magnetic cores. Each intersection is a ferrite ring that stores one bit of information.
Transistor
The patent for the single-transistor DRAM memory cell was issued in 1968 to IBM employee Robert Dennard. He guessed to attach a capacitor to the control element and encrypt one bit of information in it. According to the inventor, the idea came by accident. On the way home, something clicked - I returned to my office and sketched out a schematic diagram. Then it’s a matter of technology and long-term experiments. In short, no aliens.
The practical application of the new technology was not long in coming. Already in 1970, a certain Intel released a chip i1103, the world's first modern 1024-bit DRAM. And although, compared to magnetic modules, it did not really like extreme conditions and was volatile, it was its operating principles that formed the basis of DDR strips and put an end to the development of memory. Then there were only improvements.
For 40 years
In the 1980s, RAM crawled from motherboards to separate sticks and switched from DIP to modern SIMM connectors, which were actively promoted by the already familiar Wang An. In 1993, Samsung released the first samples of Synchronous DRAM and significantly speeded up the memory by forcing it to synchronize directly with the data bus and load new instructions without waiting for the previous ones to complete. Then there was a transition from SIMM to DIMM connectors, which made it possible to place memory chips on both sides of the module. Well, the last important event was the appearance of the current Double Data Rate SDRAM in 2000, which doubled the throughput. Then we saw only an increase in frequencies, capacity and a decrease in power consumption, which will continue in the near future.
Hello again everyone! Today we will talk about RAM. What is RAM? What is it for? How it works? What types of RAM are there? What characteristics should you pay attention to when choosing it? You will find answers to these questions below in this article. And let's start in order.
What is RAM?
Random access memory - also known as RAM (Random Access Memory), RAM (random access memory), memory, RAM - a volatile part of the computer memory system in which executable machine code (programs), as well as input, output and intermediate codes are stored during computer operation data processed by the processor.
Physically, the RAM module is embodied in the form of the following strips, which are inserted into a special connector on:
So, in principle, I answered the first two questions. Although no, this definition makes little sense to the average person. But now we will analyze everything in detail. So.
There are several types of memory in a computer: energy NOT dependent and volatile or temporary.
Non-volatile memory is any memory device that can store data whether it is powered or not. In a computer this is . You can save a file on it, unplug your computer, and the next time you turn it on again, everything will remain in place.
Volatile memory is computer memory that requires constant power to store information. This is what RAM is in a computer. Which means that if you turn off the power supply (turn off the computer), all the information stored in it will disappear. That is, every time you turn on your computer, its RAM is empty.
I think this is understandable. The next part of the definition answers our next question.
What is RAM needed for?
A fair question would be: why in a computer, in addition to the hard drive, on which data is stored regardless of whether power is supplied to it or not, does a computer need an additional, unreliable thing like RAM?
The fact is that in comparison with the speed of operation, the speed of reading and writing to the hard drive is very low. And if the processor worked directly with it, the computer's performance would be very low.
RAM, on the other hand, is much faster than a hard drive. If you do not take into account various caches, then RAM will be the fastest element in a computer device, after the central processor.
Thus, RAM is needed to increase the performance of a computer, due to the fact that it allows the latter to receive the necessary data faster.
How does it all work?
When you start the computer, all the necessary data: the operating system kernel, drivers, various services and startup programs are loaded from the hard drive into RAM and from there the CPU takes them for processing. The processor also returns the results of its work to RAM and not to the hard drive. Every program, every window of any program you open on your computer is in RAM. The central processor works with it. And only when you save some of the results of your work, they are written to the hard drive.
To help you understand better, let's look at a simple example of creating a text document in Word.
When you click on the program launch shortcut, all the files necessary for its operation are loaded into RAM and after that the editor window appears on the computer monitor. When you start writing text, it is also in RAM; you simply won’t find it on your hard drive. In order for the result of your work to be saved on it, you must save it by clicking the button of the same name in Word. Everyone has had it at least once when you were writing, writing some text and suddenly closed the program or the computer turned off, and after turning it on again, your text disappeared. Precisely because the RAM was reset to zero, and you never bothered to save your creativity.
I think now you already understand what RAM is, why it is needed and how it works. Now let's move on to more practical things. Namely, we will consider the types of RAM and its main characteristics.
Types (types) of RAM
Nowadays, RAM can be of two types: static (SRAM) and dynamic (DRAM). Static RAM is faster than dynamic RAM due to its production technology, but at the same time more expensive. This type is often used as processor cache memory. For mass production of RAM modules, DRAM technology is used. And there are several types of such memory. Those that can now be found:
- DDR SDRAM— synchronous dynamic memory with random access and double data transfer speed ( D double D ata R ate S synchronous D dynamic R andom A access M emory) first generation;
- DDR2 SDRAM- second generation DDR SDRAM;
- DDR3 SDRAM- third generation DDR SDRAM;
- DDR4 SDRAM- fourth generation DDR SDRAM;
As you might guess, DDR SDRAM is the oldest type of RAM, which is now very difficult to find. DDR4 is the newest. Today the most common is DDR3. These types of memory differ in performance and appearance.
To prevent you from accidentally inserting a stick with one type of RAM into a slot intended for another type, there is a special key (cut) on the stick, and a protrusion in the connector on the motherboard in the same place. And it is different for each type of memory.
In addition, using this key you will not be able to insert the RAM module backwards.
Main characteristics of RAM
- RAM type. You must know what type of RAM your motherboard supports: DDR, DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4. And build on this further.
- RAM capacity. Here you need to build on your needs. As I wrote above, all running programs will be placed in RAM. Accordingly, the more RAM you have on your computer, the more programs you can use simultaneously. But I’ll still give you a little hint. For simple home or office 2 GB will be enough for your computer. For home multimedia You can install from 4 GB of memory. If you have game computer or you often use “heavy” professional programs You can install 8 or more GB of RAM.
- Clock frequency. The bigger, the better. But here you also need to make sure that this frequency is supported by the motherboard and processor. Otherwise, if the RAM frequency is higher than what the motherboard supports, the RAM will operate at lower frequencies, which will mean overpaying for unnecessary performance.
- Timings. This is the delay between accessing memory and until it produces the necessary data. Accordingly, the lower the delays, the faster the RAM will work.
I'll end with this. I tried to present basic information on computer RAM, which will be enough for the average user to understand what RAM is, what it is for, how it works, and its main characteristics. In the comments you can ask me questions if you don’t understand something.
RAM capacity
Next, let’s take a closer look at the next important characteristic of RAM – its volume. First, it should be noted that it most directly affects the number of simultaneously running programs, processes and applications and their uninterrupted operation. Today, the most popular modules are sticks with a capacity of 4 GB and 8 GB (we are talking about the DDR3 standard).
Based on what operating system is installed, as well as for what purposes the computer is used, you should choose and select the right amount of RAM. For the most part, if the computer is used to access the World Wide Web and to work with various applications, and Windows XP is installed, then 2 GB is quite enough.
For those who like to try out a recently released game and people who work with graphics, you should install at least 4 GB. And if you plan to install Windows 7, you will need even more.
The easiest way to find out how much memory your system needs is to launch the Task Manager (by pressing the keyboard combination ctrl+alt+del) and launch the most resource-consuming program or application. After this, you need to analyze the information in the “Memory Allocation” - “Peak” group.
In this way, you can determine the maximum allocated volume and find out to what volume it needs to be increased so that our highest indicator fits in RAM. This will give you maximum system performance. There will be no need to increase further.
Selecting RAM
Now let's move on to the question of choosing the RAM that is most suitable for you. From the very beginning, you should determine exactly the type of RAM that your computer's motherboard supports. There are different connectors for different types of modules, respectively. Therefore, to avoid damage to the motherboard or the modules themselves, the modules themselves have different sizes.
The optimal amounts of RAM were discussed above. When choosing RAM, you should focus on its bandwidth. For system performance, the most optimal option is when the module throughput matches the same characteristics of the processor.
That is, if the computer has a processor with a 1333 MHz bus, the bandwidth of which is 10600 MB/s, then to ensure the most favorable conditions for performance, you can install 2 sticks, the bandwidth of which is 5300 MB/s, and which in total will give us 10600 Mb/s
However, it should be remembered that for this mode of operation, the RAM modules must be identical in both volume and frequency. In addition, they must be manufactured by the same manufacturer. Here is a short list of well-proven manufacturers: Samsung, OCZ, Transcend, Kingston, Corsair, Patriot.
Finally, it is worth summarizing the main points:
- Based on the definition: random access memory or RAM is a component of a computer necessary for temporary storage of data, which in turn is necessary for the processor to operate.
- After completing any operations (closing programs, applications), all associated data is deleted from the chip. And when new tasks are launched, the data that the processor needs at a given time is loaded into it from the hard drive.
- The speed of access to data located in RAM is several hundred times higher than the speed of access to information located on the hard drive. This allows the processor to use the information it needs, gaining instant access to it.
- Today, the most common 2 types are: DDR3 (with a frequency from 800 to 2400 MHz) and DDR4 (from 2133 to 4266 MHz). The higher the frequency, the faster the system operates.
If you have difficulty choosing RAM, if you cannot determine what type of RAM your motherboard supports and what volume will best suit your needs, then you can always contact the service website. We are computer help at home in Moscow and the Moscow region. Our specialists will help with selection, replacement and installation in a computer or laptop.
Hello, friends! In this article, we tried to answer many of your questions regarding RAM. ? How can I find out what RAM I have installed and how much? How to choose the right RAM for your computer. How do you know if your RAM is running in dual channel mode or not? What is better to buy, one 8GB DDR3 memory stick or two 4GB sticks each? And finally.
- If you are interested, or, also read our articles.
- Hello admin, one of my friends asks me to install more RAM. The computer properties show a capacity of 2 GB. We turned off the computer, opened the system unit, there was one stick of RAM, took it out, and there were no marks on it. Interestingly, it was not possible to determine the model of the motherboard. The computer was purchased a long time ago, so the question arose - how to find out the type of RAM it needs? After all, RAM differs in type, frequency and timing.
- Hi all! I wanted to buy additional RAM, I removed the cover of the system unit, took out the RAM stick and I can’t decipher the information written on it, the serial number is simply written there and that’s it. It is completely unclear at what frequency it operates and what type it is, DDR3 or DDR2. How to distinguish DDR3 from DDR2 memory, how do they differ in appearance?
- I have one stick of 4 GB DDR3-1600 RAM in the system unit, I want to install another stick, also 4 GB, but running at a higher frequency DDR3-1866. Will my computer work normally, and most importantly, in dual-channel mode?
My friend installed three RAM sticks of different sizes and frequencies into the system unit. Is this allowed? But what’s strange is that his computer works fine! - Tell me, how can I check whether my RAM works in dual-channel mode or not? And what conditions are needed for my memory to work in dual-channel mode. Same volume? Same frequency or same timings? How much faster does a computer run in dual-channel mode than in single-channel mode? They say that there is also a three-channel mode.
- What will work better, two sticks of 4 GB of RAM in dual-channel mode or one stick, but with a capacity of 8 GB, respectively, the memory mode will be single-channel?
To find out all the information about a RAM module, you need to carefully examine it; usually the manufacturer labels the RAM with the proper information about the frequency, volume and type of RAM. If there is no such information on the module, then you need to find out everything about the motherboard and the installed processor; sometimes this action turns into a whole investigation.
- Important Notes: Friends, do not forget that all new processors Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7 The RAM controller is located in the processor itself (previously it was controlled by the north bridge of the motherboard) and the memory modules are now directly controlled by the processor itself, the same applies to the latest AMD processors.
- This means that it doesn't matter what RAM frequency your motherboard supports. It is important what RAM frequency your processor supports. If your computer has a processorIntel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, then the officially supported memory standards of these processors: PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066 MHz), PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333 MHz), PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600 MHz), it is at these frequencies that your RAM will operate, even if the motherboard's passport indicates that the motherboard can work with PC3-19200 high-frequency RAM memory sticks (DDR3-2400 MHz).
- It's another matter if your processor has unlocked multiplier, that is, with the letter “K” at the end, for example CPU Intel Core i7-4770 K, 3.5 GHz. An unlocked multiplier means that in a computer with such a processor you can install memory sticks of the highest frequency, for example DDR3-1866 MHz or DDR3-2400 MHz, such a processor can be overclocked and during overclocking the RAM will operate at its frequency of 2400 MHz . If you install the RAM stick DDR3-1866 MHz or DDR3-2400 MHz into a computer with a conventional processor, that is, with locked multiplier without letter" K” at the end, for exampleIntel Core i7-3770, 3.9 GHz then such a bar will work at best at a frequency DDR3-1600 MHz, and in the worst case, the computer will not boot. Therefore, buy RAM that is suitable for your processor.
- Concerning processorsAMD recent years, then they work with memoryPC3-10600 (DDR3-1333 MHz).
Firstly, the RAM stick itself should contain all the information you are interested in, you just need to read it correctly. I don’t argue, there are memory strips that have practically nothing on them, but we can handle them too.
For example, let’s take a Hynix RAM stick, it has the following information: 4 GB PC3 – 12800.
What does the following mean:
firstly, the volume is 4 GB,
secondly, 1Rx8 - Rank - a memory area created by several or all chips of a memory module, 1Rx8 are single-sided memory ranks, and 2Rx8 are double-sided memory ranks.
As you can see, this bar does not say that it is DDR2 or DDR3, but the throughput of PC3-12800 is indicated. PC3 is a designation for peak bandwidth belonging only to the DDR3 type (for DDR2 RAM the designation will be PC2, for example PC2-6400).
This means that our Hynix RAM stick is DDR3 and has PC3-12800 bandwidth. If the bandwidth of 12800 is divided by eight and you get 1600. That is, this DDR3 memory stick operates at a frequency of 1600 MHz.
Read everything about DDR2 and DDR3 RAM on the website
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3 and everything will become clear to you.
Let's take another RAM module - Crucial 4GB DDR3 1333 (PC3 - 10600). This means the following: volume 4 GB, memory type DDR3, frequency 1333 MHz, PC3-10600 bandwidth is also indicated.
Manufacturer Patriot, capacity 1 GB, PC2 bandwidth – 6400. PC2 is a designation for peak bandwidth belonging only to the DDR2 type (for DDR3 RAM the designation will be PC3, for example PC3-12800). We divide the bandwidth of 6400 by eight and get 800. That is, this DDR2 memory stick operates at a frequency of 800 MHz.
One more plank- Kingston KHX6400D2 LL/1G
Manufacturer Kingston, bandwidth 6400, type DDR2, capacity 1 GB. We divide the bandwidth by 8, we get a frequency of 800 MHz.
But this stick of RAM has more important information, it has a non-standard microcircuit supply voltage: 2.0 V - set manually in the BIOS.
RAM modules differ in the size of the contact pads and the location of the cutouts. Using a cutout, you will not be able to install a RAM module in a slot not intended for it. For example, you cannot install a DDR3 memory stick in a DDR2 slot.
Everything is clearly visible in this diagram.
Sometimes there will be no clear information on the RAM module other than the name of the module itself. But the module cannot be removed, since it is under warranty. But by the name you can understand what kind of memory it is. For example
Kingston KHX1600 C9D3 X2K2/8G X, all this means:
KHX 1600 -> RAM operates at 1600 MHz
C9 -> Timings (Delays) 9-9-9
D3 -> RAM type DDR3
8G X -> Volume 4 GB.
You can simply type the name of the module in search engines and you will find out all the information about it.
For example, information from the AIDA64 program about my RAM. Kingston HyperX RAM modules are installed in RAM slots 2 and 4, memory type DDR3, frequency 1600 MHz
DIMM2: Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3/4GX DDR3-1600 DDR3 SDRAM
DIMM4: Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3/4GX DDR3-1600 DDR3 SDRAM
Is it possible to install RAM sticks with different frequencies into a computer?
The RAM frequency does not have to be the same. The motherboard will set the frequency for all installed RAM sticks according to the slowest module. But I want to say that often a computer with brackets of different frequencies is unstable.
Let's do a simple experiment. For example, let's take my computer, it has two identical Kingston HyperX RAM modules, memory type DDR3, frequency 1600 MHz.
If I run the AIDA64 program on my Windows 8, it will show the following information (see the following screenshot). That is, the program AIDA64 shows simple technical characteristics of each RAM stick; in our case, both sticks have a frequency1600 MHz. But the programAIDA64 does not show at what frequency the RAM modules are currently operating; this needs to be looked at in another program called CPU-Z.
If you run the free CPU-Z program and go to the Memory tab, it will show you exactly what frequency your RAM sticks are running at. My memory operates in dual-channel Dual mode, frequency 800 MHz, since the memory is DDR3, its effective (double) speed is 1600 MHz. This means that my RAM sticks operate exactly at the frequency for which they are designed: 1600 MHz. But what will happen if next to your RAM strips operating at a frequency 1600 MHz I will set another bar with frequency 1333 MHz!?
Let's install an additional DDR3 memory stick in my system unit, operating at a lower frequency of 1333 MHz.
Let's look at what AIDA64 shows, the program shows that an additional 4 GB stick is installed, with a frequency of 1333 MHz.
Now let’s run the CPU-Z program and see at what frequency all three sticks operate. As we can see, the frequency is 668.7 MHz, since the memory is DDR3, its effective (double) speed is 1333 MHz.
That is, the motherboard automatically set the operating frequency of all RAM sticks to the slowest module at 1333 MHz.
It is not advisable to install RAM sticks in your computer with a frequency higher than what the motherboard supports. For example, if your motherboard supports a maximum RAM frequency of 1600 MHz, and you installed a RAM module operating at a frequency of 1866 on your computer, then in the best case, this module will operate at a lower frequency of 1600 MHz, and in the worst case, the module will operate at its frequency 1866 MHz, but the computer will periodically reboot itself or you will get a blue screen when you boot the computer, in this case you will have to enter the BIOS and manually set the RAM frequency to 1600 MHz.
Timings(signal delay) determine how often the processor can access RAM. If you have a quad-core processor and it has a large second-level cache, then too long timings are not a problem, since the processor accesses RAM less often. Is it possible to install RAM sticks with different timings in a computer? The timings also do not have to match. The motherboard will automatically set timings for all modules according to the slowest module.
What conditions are needed for my memory to work in dual-channel mode? Before buying RAM, you need to study as much information as possible about the motherboard. All information about your motherboard can be found in the manual that came with it upon purchase. If the manual is lost, you need to go to the official website of your motherboard. You will also find the article “How to find out the model and all information about your motherboard” useful.Most often these days there are motherboards that support the RAM operating modes described below. Dual Mode (two-channel mode, most common)– if you look closely at the motherboard, you can see that the RAM slots are painted in different colors. This was done on purpose and means that the motherboard supports dual-channel RAM operation. That is, two RAM modules with the same characteristics (frequency, timings) and the same volume are specially selected and installed in RAM slots of the same color.
If your computer has one stick of RAM installed, but the motherboard supports dual-channel mode, you can buy an additional stick of RAM of exactly the same frequency and capacity and install both sticks in DIMM slots of the same color.
Is there an advantage to dual channel mode over single channel mode?
During normal work on a computer, you will not notice the difference, but when working in applications that actively use RAM, such as Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing), (Canopus) ProCoder (video encoding), Photoshop (working with images), games, the difference can be feel.
Note: Some motherboards will operate in dual-channel mode even if you install RAM modules of different sizes in the same color DIMM slots. For example, you will install a 512MB module in the first DIMM slot, and a 1GB stick in the third slot. The motherboard activates dual-channel mode for the entire volume of the first 512MB stick, and for the second stick (interestingly) also 512MB, and the remaining 512MB of the second stick will work in single-channel mode.
How do I know if my RAM is working in dual channel mode or not? Download the free CPU-Z program and go to the Memory tab, look at the Channel parameter in our case - Dual, which means the RAM operates in dual-channel mode. If the Channels parameter is Single, then the RAM operates in single-channel mode.
My opinion is that during normal work on a computer they will work the same, I personally didn’t notice much of a difference. I worked for a long time on a computer with one large stick of RAM and the performance was the same as on exactly the same computer with two sticks of RAM running in dual-channel mode. A survey of friends and acquaintances of system administrators confirmed me in this opinion. But when working with programs that actively use RAM, for example Adobe Premiere Pro, Canopus ProCoder, Photoshop, games, a computer with two sticks of RAM will work faster.
Of course it is possible, but not advisable. The computer will work more stable if it implements the RAM operating mode recommended in the motherboard data sheet. For example, two-channel mode.
Now, having learned what it is and what and how it serves, many of you are probably thinking about purchasing a more powerful and productive RAM for your computer. After all, increasing computer performance with additional memory RAM is the simplest and cheapest (unlike, for example, a video card) method of upgrading your pet.
And... Here you are standing at the display case with packages of RAMs. There are many of them and they are all different. Questions arise: Which RAM should I choose?How to choose the right RAM and not make a mistake?What if I buy a RAM and then it doesn’t work? These are completely reasonable questions. In this article I will try to answer all these questions. As you already understand, this article will take its rightful place in the series of articles in which I wrote about how to choose the right individual computer components, i.e. iron. If you haven't forgotten, it included the following articles:
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This cycle will continue, and in the end you will be able to assemble for yourself a super computer that is perfect in every sense 🙂 (if finances allow, of course :))
In the meantime learning how to choose the right RAM for your computer.
Go!
RAM and its main characteristics.
When choosing RAM for your computer, you must take into account your motherboard and processor because RAM modules are installed on the motherboard and it also supports certain types of RAM. This creates a relationship between the motherboard, processor and RAM.
Find out about what RAM does your motherboard and processor support? You can go to the manufacturer’s website, where you need to find the model of your motherboard, as well as find out which processors and RAM it supports. If you don’t do this, it will turn out that you bought a super modern RAM, but it is not compatible with your motherboard and will gather dust somewhere in your closet. Now let's move directly to the main technical characteristics of RAM, which will serve as unique criteria when choosing RAM. These include:
Here I have listed the main characteristics of RAM that you should pay attention to first when purchasing it. Now we will reveal each of them in turn.
Type of RAM.
Today, the most preferred type of memory in the world is memory modules DDR(double data rate). They differ in release time and, of course, technical parameters.
- DDR or DDR SDRAM(translated from English: Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory - synchronous dynamic memory with random access and double data transfer rate). Modules of this type have 184 contacts on the strip, are powered by a voltage of 2.5 V and have a clock frequency of up to 400 megahertz. This type of RAM is already obsolete and is used only in old motherboards.
- DDR2- a type of memory that is widespread at this time. It has 240 contacts on the printed circuit board (120 on each side). Consumption, unlike DDR1, is reduced to 1.8 V. The clock frequency ranges from 400 MHz to 800 MHz.
- DDR3- the leader in performance at the time of writing this article. It is no less common than DDR2 and consumes 30-40% less voltage compared to its predecessor (1.5 V). Has a clock frequency of up to 1800 MHz.
- DDR4- a new, super modern type of RAM, ahead of its counterparts both in performance (clock frequency) and voltage consumption (and therefore characterized by lower heat generation). Support for frequencies from 2133 to 4266 MHz is announced. At the moment, these modules have not yet entered mass production (they promise to release them into mass production in mid-2012). Officially, fourth generation modules operating in DDR4-2133 at a voltage of 1.2 V were presented at CES by Samsung on January 4, 2011.
Amount of RAM.
I won’t write much about memory capacity. Let me just say that it is in this case that size matters :)
Just a few years ago, RAM of 256-512 MB satisfied all the needs of even cool gaming computers. Currently, for normal functioning of the Windows 7 operating system alone, 1 GB of memory is required, not to mention applications and games. There will never be too much RAM, but I’ll tell you a secret that 32-bit Windows uses only 3.25 GB of RAM, even if you install all 8 GB of RAM. You can read more about this.
Dimensions of the planks or the so-called Form factor.
Form - factor- these are the standard sizes of RAM modules, the type of design of the RAM strips themselves.
DIMM(Dual InLine Memory Module - a double-sided type of module with contacts on both sides) - mainly intended for desktop desktop computers, and SO-DIMM used in laptops.
Clock frequency.
This is a fairly important technical parameter of RAM. But the motherboard also has a clock frequency, and it is important to know the operating bus frequency of this board, since if you bought, for example, a RAM module DDR3-1800, and the motherboard slot (connector) supports the maximum clock frequency DDR3-1600, then the RAM module as a result will operate at a clock frequency of 1600 MHz. In this case, all sorts of failures, errors in the operation of the system, etc. are possible.
Note: Memory bus frequency and processor frequency are completely different concepts.
From the tables above, you can understand that the bus frequency, multiplied by 2, gives the effective memory frequency (indicated in the “chip” column), i.e. gives us the data transfer speed. The name tells us the same thing. DDR(Double Data Rate) - which means double the data transfer rate.
For clarity, I will give an example of decoding in the name of the RAM module - Kingston/PC2-9600/DDR3(DIMM)/2Gb/1200MHz, Where:
—Kingston- manufacturer;
- PC2-9600— name of the module and its capacity;
- DDR3(DIMM)— memory type (form factor in which the module is made);
— 2Gb— module volume;
- 1200MHz— effective frequency, 1200 MHz.
Bandwidth.
Bandwidth- a memory characteristic on which system performance depends. It is expressed as the product of the system bus frequency and the amount of data transferred per clock cycle. Throughput (peak data rate) is a comprehensive measure of capability RAM, it takes into account transmission frequency, bus width and the number of memory channels. The frequency indicates the potential of the memory bus per clock cycle - at a higher frequency, more data can be transferred.
The peak indicator is calculated using the formula: B=f*c, Where:
B is the bandwidth, f is the transmission frequency, c is the bus width. If you use two channels to transmit data, we multiply everything received by 2. To get a figure in bytes/s, you need to divide the result by 8 (since there are 8 bits in 1 byte).
For better performance RAM bus bandwidth And processor bus bandwidth must match. For example, for an Intel core 2 duo E6850 processor with a system bus of 1333 MHz and a bandwidth of 10600 Mb/s, you can install two modules with a bandwidth of 5300 Mb/s each (PC2-5300), in total they will have the system bus bandwidth (FSB) equal to 10600 Mb/s.
Bus frequency and bandwidth are denoted as follows: “ DDR2-XXXX" And " PC2-YYYY". Here "XXXX" denotes the effective memory frequency, and "YYYY" the peak bandwidth.
Timings (latency).
Timings (or latency)- these are time delays of the signal, which, in the technical characteristics of the RAM, are written in the form “ 2-2-2 " or " 3-3-3 " etc. Each number here expresses a parameter. In order it is always " CAS Latency"(working cycle time), " RAS to CAS Delay"(full access time) and " RAS Precharge Time» (pre-charge time).
Note
So that you can better understand the concept of timings, imagine a book, it will be our RAM that we access. Information (data) in a book (RAM) is distributed among chapters, and chapters consist of pages, which in turn contain tables with cells (like in Excel tables, for example). Each cell with data on the page has its own vertical (columns) and horizontal (rows) coordinates. To select a row, the RAS (Raw Address Strobe) signal is used, and to read a word (data) from the selected row (i.e., to select a column), the CAS (Column Address Strobe) signal is used. The full reading cycle begins with the opening of the “page” and ends with its closing and recharging, because otherwise the cells will be discharged and the data will be lost. This is what the algorithm for reading data from memory looks like:
- the selected "page" is activated by applying the RAS signal;
- data from the selected line on the page is transmitted to the amplifier, and a delay is required for data transmission (it is called RAS-to-CAS);
- a CAS signal is given to select a (column) word from that row;
- data is transferred to the bus (from where it goes to the memory controller), and a delay also occurs (CAS Latency);
- the next word comes without delay, since it is contained in the prepared line;
- after access to the row is completed, the page is closed, the data is returned to the cells and the page is recharged (the delay is called RAS Precharge).
Each number in the designation indicates how many bus cycles the signal will be delayed. Timings are measured in nanoseconds. The numbers can have values from 2 to 9. But sometimes a fourth one is added to these three parameters (for example: 2-3-3-8), called “ DRAM Cycle Time Tras/Trc” (characterizes the performance of the entire memory chip as a whole).
It happens that sometimes a cunning manufacturer indicates only one value in the RAM characteristics, for example “ CL2"(CAS Latency), the first timing is equal to two clock cycles. But the first parameter does not have to be equal to all timings, and may be less than others, so keep this in mind and do not fall for the manufacturer’s marketing ploy.
An example to illustrate the impact of timings on performance: a system with memory at 100 MHz with 2-2-2 timings has approximately the same performance as the same system at 112 MHz, but with 3-3-3 timings. In other words, depending on latency, the performance difference can be as much as 10%.
So, when choosing, it is better to buy memory with the lowest timings, and if you want to add a module to an already installed one, then the timings of the purchased memory must match the timings of the installed memory.
Memory operating modes.
RAM can operate in several modes, if of course such modes are supported by the motherboard. This single channel, two-channel, three-channel and even four-channel modes. Therefore, when choosing RAM, you should pay attention to this module parameter.
Theoretically, the speed of operation of the memory subsystem in dual-channel mode increases by 2 times, in three-channel mode - by 3 times, respectively, etc., but in practice, in dual-channel mode, the performance increase, unlike single-channel mode, is 10-70%.
Let's take a closer look at the types of modes:
- Single channel mode(single-channel or asymmetric) – this mode is activated when only one memory module is installed in the system or all modules differ from each other in memory capacity, operating frequency or manufacturer. It doesn’t matter what slots or memory you install into. All memory will run at the speed of the slowest memory installed.
- Dual Mode(dual-channel or symmetrical) - the same amount of RAM is installed in each channel (and theoretically the maximum data transfer rate is doubled). In dual-channel mode, memory modules work in pairs: 1st with 3rd and 2nd with 4th.
- Triple Mode(three-channel) – the same amount of RAM is installed in each of the three channels. Modules are selected according to speed and volume. To enable this mode, modules must be installed in slots 1, 3 and 5/or 2, 4 and 6. In practice, by the way, this mode is not always more productive than the two-channel one, and sometimes even loses to it in data transfer speed.
- Flex Mode(flexible) – allows you to increase the performance of RAM when installing two modules of different sizes, but the same operating frequency. As in dual-channel mode, memory cards are installed in the same connectors of different channels.
Generally, the most common option is dual-channel memory mode.
To operate in multi-channel modes, there are special sets of memory modules - the so-called Kit memory(Kit set) - this set includes two (three) modules, from the same manufacturer, with the same frequency, timings and memory type.
Appearance of KIT kits:
for dual channel mode
for three-channel mode
But the most important thing is that such modules are carefully selected and tested by the manufacturer itself to work in pairs (triples) in two- (three-) channel modes and do not imply any surprises in operation and configuration.
Manufacturer of modules.
Now on the market RAM Such manufacturers as have proven themselves well: Hynix, amsung, Corsair, Kingmax, Transcend, Kingston, OCZ…
Each company has its own for each product marking number, from which, if deciphered correctly, you can find out a lot of useful information about the product. Let's try to decipher the module marking as an example Kingston families ValueRAM(see image):
Explanation:
- KVR– Kingston ValueRAM i.e. manufacturer
- 1066/1333 – operating/effective frequency (Mhz)
- D3- memory type (DDR3)
- D (Dual) – rank/rank. A dual-rank module is two logical modules wired onto one physical channel and alternately using the same physical channel (needed to achieve the maximum amount of RAM with a limited number of slots)
- 4 – 4 DRAM memory chips
- R – Registered, indicates stable operation without failures or errors for as long a continuous period of time as possible
- 7 – signal delay (CAS=7)
- S– temperature sensor on the module
- K2– set (kit) of two modules
- 4G– the total volume of the kit (both strips) is 4 GB.
Let me give you another example of marking CM2X1024-6400C5:
From the labeling it is clear that this is DDR2 module volume 1024 MB standard PC2-6400 and delays CL=5.
Stamps OCZ, Kingston And Corsair recommended for overclocking, i.e. have the potential for overclocking. They will have small timings and a clock frequency reserve, plus they are equipped with radiators, and some even coolers for heat removal, because When overclocking, the amount of heat increases significantly. The price for them will naturally be much higher.
I advise you not to forget about fakes (there are a lot of them on the shelves) and buy RAM modules only in serious stores that will give you a guarantee.
Finally:
That's all. With the help of this article, I think you will no longer be mistaken when choosing RAM for your computer. Now you can choose the right RAM for the system and increase its performance without any problems. Well, for those who will buy RAM (or have already bought it), I will dedicate the following article, in which I will describe in detail how to install RAM correctly into the system. Do not miss…
Best RAM 2019
Corsair Dominator Platinum
The best memory among its classmates with high performance and innovation in RGB technology. DDR4 standard, speed 3200MHz, default timings 16.18.18.36, two 16 GB modules. The strips have bright Capellix RGB LED backlights, an advanced iCUE program, and Dominator DHX heat sinks. The only problem is that the height of the module may not be suitable.
Corsair, as always, outdoes itself with each new model, and the Dominator Platinum is no exception. Today it is the favorite DDR4 memory kit for gamers and owners of powerful workstations. The appearance of the modules is sleek and stylish to appeal to gaming enthusiasts, DHX cooling works efficiently, and the performance of the slats is ready to become a legend. In any case, it will provide the user with flagship parameters for many years. Now the memory has a new design, a new, brighter Corsair Capellix backlight with 12 LEDs. iCUE proprietary software provides flexible memory tuning for maximum performance. If you have changed the motherboard or processor, or maybe the graphics accelerator, the memory can be configured as native for any new component.
The price tag of the memory is slightly higher than that of other manufacturers, but this is compensated by the highest quality and amazing performance.
