Computers Memory

What Is a Memory Module?

Published at 04/02/2012 18:01:39

Introduction

Memory module is used to refer to the dynamic random access memory integrated circuits series of modules which are mounted on the circuit board which is printed mostly. They are designed specifically for the personal computers, servers and the workstations. There can be different memory modules in which it is used. These memory modules are Dual in-line package memory; SIPP memory, which is basically single in-line pin package memory; SIMM, which is basically a single in-line memory module and DIMM, which is dual in-line memory module. In DIMM there comes the Rambus and SO-DIMM. Rambus memory modules are actually the subsets of the DIMMs memory modules. Rambus modules are referred to as RIMMs. SO-DIMM is a small outline DIMM. It is actually a smaller version of DIMM which is used in the laptops.

History

Memory module is considered to be the name of RAM chip. It is a term which is mostly used to describe the terms like SIMM, DIMM and SO-DIMM. There are many different types of the memory modules. All these types are for the same purpose. It is used to store the temporary data even when the computer is in running mode. There are different sizes of memory modules. There are also different configurations of memory modules. There are 30 pins of the original SIMMs. These are connected to the motherboard. They are actually the metal contacts. There are 72 pins in new SIMM chips. The DIMM has 168 pin configurations.

Features

There are some of the DIMM chips which have the configuration of 240 pins. As compared to the standard DIMM chips, SO-DIMM has the smaller form factor. The configurations of SO-DIMM have 72 pins or 144 pins. They are also available in 200 pin configurations. There is a difference in DIMMs and SIMMs. On each side of the module, there are separate electrical contacts in DIMMs. The electrical contacts are redundant on both sides in SIMMs. The data path is 32 bit in SIMMs which is standard. The data path is 64 bit in standard DIMMs. There are different types of DIMMs. These are 72-pin SO-DIMM (it is not like 72-pin SIMM), which is used for FPM DRAM and EDO DRAM; 100-pin DIMM, which is used for printer SDRAM; 144-pin SO-DIMM, which is used for SDR SDRAM; 168-pin DIMM which is used for SDR SDRAM; 200-pin SO-DIMM, which is used for DDR SDRAM and DDR2 SDRAM; 204-pin SO-DIMM, which is used for DDR3 SDRAM; 214-pin MicroDIMM, which is used for DDR2 SDRAM; 240-pin DIMM, which is used for DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM and FB-DIMM DRAM; 244-pin MiniDIMM, which is used for DDR2 SDRAM.

Tips and comments

Memory modules are used to refer the computer memory. The computer memory involves the RAM, memory and RAM chip. Memory terms are interchangeable. These are the terms which are interchangeable but the memory itself cannot be interchanged. There are most of the computers which only accept the single type of memory. The memory modules should be compatible with the computer you use to upgrade the computer’s RAM.

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