Description:
- All
programs, instructions, and data must be stored in system memory
before the computer can use it. It will hold recently used
programs, instructions, and data in memory if there is room.
This provides quick access (much faster than hard drives) to
information. The more memory you have, the more information
you will have fast access to and the better your computer will
perform.
What To Look
For:
- First
you need to know the type of memory you need. Some computers
still use SIMMs which are an older, slower form of memory (and many
more types prior to them). DIMMs are the newest flavor, most
of which are of the SDRAM format. Currently SDRAM is the most
common and the fastest. If you are purchasing SDRAM memory for
a Pentium II 333 computer or earlier, you should get 10 ns SDRAM (or
faster so that you can use it with the newer CPUs). If you are
purchasing a new Pentium II that runs on the 100 MHz bus (350 and
higher), you need to have the most recent "standard" type
of memory called PC100 compliant memory. This is memory that
is "certified" for use on the 100 MHz bus. Since it
is relatively new and in high demand, it is much more expensive than
regular SDRAM. Make sure the memory will work with the motherboard
you are getting (or have). PC133 is a newer type of memory
that is designed to run at 133 MHz bus speed for processors like the
P3B.
- Once
you have found PC100 memory, you need to look for a few different
things IF you think you may overclock
(though they will also make your memory more reliable if you
aren't). First is the CAS delay, which will be 2 or 3.
If you want to run at 133, use memory with a CAS (column access
strobe) latency of 2. You also want to look at the ns
(nanosecond) rating, but be careful in interpreting it. Some
hardware vendors give a different timing for this value. At
this point in time there isn't any SDRAM less than 8ns, however,
faster speeds are being developed. See AnandTech
for a more in-depth discussion.
- 11/13/99
Update- There are several new types of RAM that I thought I should
briefly describe here:
-Direct Rambus or RDRAM is the high bandwidth, high priced RAM that
has Intel's backing to be used with their i820 and future chipsets.
With RAM speeds as high as 800 MHz, this truly does have amazing
speed! Surprisingly though, in benchmarks all this great RAM
speed has not offered significant improvements! With the i820
and the Coppermine CPUs with 256k full speed cache, there may be a
larger difference. RDRAM comes in "RIMMS" that are
physically different from DIMMs. Thus, you can't use RDRAM in
your BX chipset motherboards.
-PC133 and PC100 memory are about the same, except for speed
differences. This RAM is most common right now, and until
RDRAM prices come down, this is all you should consider.
-VC133 is "Virtual Channel" PC133 RAM which offers some
performance enhancements over traditional PC133 RAM. Whether
or not it will be accepted is still up in the air.
- 11/13/99
- Recently RAM prices have soared. This is expected to last a
significant amount of time, so don't try to wait it out forever.
Recommendations:
- 6/16/00
Update -- I'd still suggest using the PC133 memory I recommended
below in my last update. There haven't been a lot of new
offerings in memory lately.
- 4/24/00
Update -- A couple of other PC133 brands to consider are Memory
Man's CAS2 PC133 RAM and PNY PC133 RAM, both of which have been
tested to run up to 160 MHz bus speed. I don't suggest trying
to run at these high speeds though. You're not likely to have
the memory remain stable for very long at that speed.
King of the crop in stability goes to Mushkin's PC133 with
Mosel Vitalic chips, but the affordability of the others is
difficult to pass up. I still like the Corsair/Micron
PC133 because it's fairly low cost and reliable.
- 1/17/00
Update- The Corsair/Micron PC133 RAM is still the best choice
for price, speed, and reliability.
-- Watch out, RAM prices are expected to go up even further this
year. I'm hoping that won't happen, but it may be wise to buy
your RAM now just in case...
- 8/1/99
Update- Corsair/Micron PC133 and EMS PC133 HSDRAM are now available
and may be worth the small extra expense. They're not as
expensive as I expected, and they both perform quite well. I
would pick the Corsair over the EMS though. I have been using
the Corsair/Micron PC133 for awhile with great results.
- 7/1/99
Update- PC133 memory from companies like Samsung is starting to show
up. This is only needed though if you plan on using 133 bus
speeds and other high bus speeds. Also if you're getting the
-GH or -G8 memory from mushkin (or other places), I suggest getting
the "Samsung Originals" which have the Samsung boards for
the chips. The mushkin brand uses their own boards with
Samsung's chips. The originals are only important though in
extreme overclocking.
- 1/1/99
Samsung makes what I believe to be the highest quality RAM there is.
There are two different types that I would recommend. For most
users, the -GH memory from Samsung should be sufficient. The
newer -G8 memory is even better, particularly for overclocking.
The best place to get either of these is from www.mushkin.com.
All the RAM I buy comes from there.
While a lot of other memory has caused problems for me, particularly
in motherboards like the Abit BH6, the Samsung RAM has never given
me a single problem. It's solid as a rock as far as RAM goes.
- Get
PC100 memory from a dealer you can trust and make sure it has a CAS
latency of 2 (rather than 3). This memory should have a
"-GH" at the end of the numbers on the memory chips
themselves. Examples of memory fitting this description are
American Megatrends, Memory Man, and Azzo PC100 SDRAM. These
can be found at American Megatrends,
Memory Man, and
Ram
Warehouse websites.
- Micron
also makes good RAM and has some CAS2 PC100 SDRAM as well.
|
