| Many aspects of the personal computer have | | | | it just runs down at the computers speed, even if it is |
| increased in leaps and bounds in terms of | | | | designed for more. |
| performance and what they are capable of doing. | | | | Another aspect of memory has come into play, being |
| Computer memory, often referred to as Random | | | | highlighted mostly by the enthusiastic overclocking |
| Access Memory (RAM), has become of greater and | | | | crowd, and that's latency. |
| greater performance as time has gone on. | | | | Memory is a bank or table of places where |
| One of the famous quotes from back in the eighties | | | | information can be stored. In order to get the specific |
| was one made by Bill Gates when he said that no one | | | | rows and columns certain things have to be activated |
| would ever need more than 640KB of memory. Well | | | | within the memory. In a nutshell latency refers to how |
| that has been passed for ages now, with high | | | | long it takes to be able to acces another part of |
| performance machines sometimes sporting over 1GB | | | | memory. The shorter the time it takes, the quicker it is. |
| of it. | | | | Low latency memory comes at a huge price premium, |
| There are many advantages that can be had with | | | | with 512MB of top class memory costing more than |
| more memory. | | | | some processors. |
| - Programs run faster | | | | But does it actually benefit you? |
| - Less waiting time for programs to load | | | | If you are into high-speed 3D games then there could |
| - More programs can be run at a time | | | | certainly be a difference. For the rest of us, there |
| - Overall computer speed is increased | | | | probably won't be much difference. It's still worth it |
| Double Data Rate (DDR) memory is the staple of the | | | | however to keep latency in mind when shopping |
| consumer market. It has taken off due to public | | | | around. I would certainly choose a lower latency model |
| demand and now comes quite reasonably priced. | | | | when buying. |
| Computers don't generally come with less than 256MB | | | | Dual channel memory is another recent addition to |
| of memory nowadays. My computer after freshly | | | | memory technology. What it does is it puts the |
| installing Windows 2000 (no, I haven't gone to | | | | memory into pairs, the two pairs together can increase |
| Windows XP yet) takes about 80MB or memory. That | | | | on the performance and speed of the memory by up |
| is the very least, with no additional programs or | | | | to 10%. The motherboard has to support it, and the |
| anything else installed. After I have installed all the | | | | memory has to be the dual channel kind. Dual channel |
| graphics drivers, Internet connection software for | | | | will work even when not in a pair, but normal memory |
| ADSL, virus protection and firewall it takes around | | | | will have no advantage when put in a pair. |
| 160MB of total memory. | | | | Finally, DDR2 is a newer addition available for Intel |
| From my previous experience, 256MB will do, but after | | | | systems. It has 240 pins (the little copper strips at the |
| it becomes quickly filled when running a few programs, | | | | end that plugs into the slot) as opposed to DDR |
| Windows reverts to using the hard drive for memory. | | | | memory's 184 pins. In this respect the two are |
| It's a way to fake more memory, by using the hard | | | | completely incompatable. DDR2 is by design meant to |
| drive as a temporary store. 512MB now does it for my | | | | be in pairs, they don't have to be, but they all have dual |
| needs, but if you run many programs or memory | | | | channel capability. Only Intel processors with LGA775 |
| intensive ones, 768MB or even 1GB will do better. | | | | socket type use this memory, but it is much faster. |
| But is memory size the only factor? | | | | So, whenever looking for more memory, try to bear |
| An equally important factor is the memory speed. It is | | | | these factors in mind... |
| measured in MHz. Most systems use 400MHz DDR | | | | - Do you need DDR or DDR2 (LGA775 systems) |
| memory. This would be the safe bet with almost any | | | | - What speed do I need? Usually 400MHz (named |
| processor you may have. 400MHz has also become | | | | PC3200) or faster? |
| the most common to buy, there is not much slower | | | | - 256MB minimum, preferably 512 or up to 1GB |
| than that left to buy. | | | | - Dual channel pairs. Do you need them and does your |
| Memory from a reputable manufacturer will ensure | | | | computer support them? |
| that you don't have problems with it and will also | | | | - Latency, lower the better, but not essential. CAS of 3 |
| provide a certain amount of overclocking if you are | | | | is normal. |
| into that. Even better would be to get faster memory, | | | | |