It will not be possible to replace it with a newer and more advanced DDR4 - you will have to change the motherboard and processor along with the memory. When assembling a new computer, we recommend the most current type of memory at the moment - DDR4.

Memory

It is recommended to install at least 4 GB of RAM in a modern computer. The standard now is 8 GB - this volume is enough for the user for most everyday tasks. A professional who often works in “heavy” programs such as Autocad and 3DSMax is recommended to install modules of 16 GB and higher.

Memory is often sold in sets of two, four or more modules. Two modules with the same parameters, inserted into slots of the same color on the motherboard, will work in “dual-channel mode” - this will increase the data transfer speed and increase the speed of the system and applications.

Clock frequency

The memory clock speed determines the speed of data exchange with motherboard. The higher the frequency, the faster the computer runs. The memory bandwidth and the price of the module directly depend on it. You need to choose memory based on what frequencies are supported by the motherboard and processor.

Form factor

Most home computers use the DIMM form factor. Laptops most often have SODIMM memory installed. The remaining form factors are unlikely to be of interest to the average user - they are installed either on servers or on old PCs.

Story random access memory, or RAM, began back in 1834, when Charles Babbage developed the “analytical engine” - essentially a prototype of a computer. He called the part of this machine, which was responsible for storing intermediate data, a “warehouse.” Memorizing information there was still organized in a purely mechanical way, through shafts and gears.

In the first generations of computers, cathode ray tubes and magnetic drums were used as RAM; later magnetic cores appeared, and after them, in the third generation of computers, memory on microcircuits appeared.

Nowadays RAM is made using technology DRAM in form factors DIMM and SO-DIMM, is dynamic memory organized in the form of semiconductor integrated circuits. It is volatile, meaning data disappears when there is no power.

Choosing RAM is not a difficult task today; the main thing here is to understand the types of memory, its purpose and main characteristics.

Memory types

SO-DIMM

Memory of the SO-DIMM form factor is intended for use in laptops, compact ITX systems, monoblocks - in short, where the minimum physical size memory modules. It differs from the DIMM form factor in that the length of the module is approximately halved and there are fewer pins on the board (204 and 360 pins for SO-DIMM DDR3 and DDR4 versus 240 and 288 on boards of the same types of DIMM memory).
In terms of other characteristics - frequency, timings, volume, SO-DIMM modules can be of any kind, and do not differ in any fundamental way from DIMMs.

DIMM

DIMM - RAM for full-size computers.
The type of memory you choose must first be compatible with the socket on the motherboard. Computer RAM is divided into 4 types – DDR, DDR2, DDR3 And DDR4.

DDR memory appeared in 2001 and had 184 contacts. The supply voltage ranged from 2.2 to 2.4 V. The operating frequency was 400 MHz. It is still available for sale, although the selection is small. Today the format is outdated - it is suitable only if you do not want to update the system completely, and the old motherboard only has connectors for DDR.

The DDR2 standard came out in 2003 and received 240 pins, which increased the number of threads, significantly speeding up the processor data bus. The operating frequency of DDR2 could be up to 800 MHz (in some cases - up to 1066 MHz), and the supply voltage was from 1.8 to 2.1 V - slightly less than that of DDR. Consequently, power consumption and heat dissipation of memory have decreased.
Differences between DDR2 and DDR:

· 240 contacts versus 120
· New slot, not DDR compatible
· Less power consumption
Improved design, better cooling
Higher maximum operating frequency

Just like DDR, it is an outdated type of memory - now it is only suitable for old motherboards, in other cases there is no point in buying it, since the new DDR3 and DDR4 are faster.

In 2007, RAM was updated to the DDR3 type, which is still widely used. The same 240 pins remain, but the connection slot for DDR3 has changed - there is no compatibility with DDR2. The operating frequency of the modules is on average from 1333 to 1866 MHz. There are also modules with frequencies up to 2800 MHz.
DDR3 differs from DDR2:

· DDR2 and DDR3 slots are not compatible.
· The clock frequency of DDR3 is 2 times higher - 1600 MHz versus 800 MHz for DDR2.
· Features a reduced supply voltage - about 1.5V, and lower power consumption (in the version DDR3L this value is on average even lower, about 1.35 V).
· The delays (timings) of DDR3 are greater than those of DDR2, but the operating frequency is higher. In general, the speed of DDR3 is 20-30% higher.

DDR3 is a good choice today. Many motherboards on sale have DDR3 memory connectors, and due to the massive popularity of this type, it is unlikely to disappear soon. It is also slightly cheaper than DDR4.

DDR4 is a new type of RAM, developed only in 2012. It is an evolutionary development of previous types. Memory bandwidth has increased again, now reaching 25.6 GB/s. The operating frequency also increased - from an average of 2133 MHz to 3600 MHz. If we compare the new type with DDR3, which lasted on the market for 8 years and became widespread, the performance increase is insignificant, and not all motherboards and processors support the new type.
DDR4 differences:

· Incompatible with previous types
· Reduced supply voltage - from 1.2 to 1.05 V, power consumption has also decreased
· Memory operating frequency up to 3200 MHz (can reach 4166 MHz in some trims), with, of course, timings increasing proportionally
May be slightly faster than DDR3

If you already have DDR3 sticks, then there is no point in rushing to change them to DDR4. When this format spreads massively, and all motherboards already support DDR4, the transition to a new type will happen by itself with an update of the entire system. Thus, we can summarize that DDR4 is more of a marketing product than a real new type of RAM.

Which memory frequency should I choose?

Choosing a frequency should begin by checking the maximum supported frequencies by your processor and motherboard. It makes sense to take a frequency higher than that supported by the processor only when overclocking the processor.

Today you should not choose memory with a frequency lower than 1600 MHz. The 1333 MHz option is acceptable in the case of DDR3, unless these are ancient modules lying around the seller, which will obviously be slower than the new ones.

The best option for today is memory with a frequency range from 1600 to 2400 MHz. A higher frequency has almost no advantage, but it costs much more, and as a rule, these are overclocked modules with raised timings. For example, the difference between modules of 1600 and 2133 MHz in a number of work programs will be no more than 5-8%; in games the difference may be even smaller. Frequencies of 2133-2400 MHz are worth taking if you are engaged in video/audio encoding and rendering.

The difference between frequencies of 2400 and 3600 MHz will cost you quite a lot, without significantly increasing speed.

How much RAM should I take?

The amount you need depends on the type of work performed on the computer, the operating system installed, and the programs used. Also, do not lose sight of the maximum supported memory capacity of your motherboard.

Volume 2 GB- today, it may only be enough to browse the Internet. More than half will be consumed by the operating system; the rest will be enough for the leisurely work of undemanding programs.

Volume 4 GB– suitable for a mid-range computer, for a home PC media center. Enough to watch movies and even play undemanding games. Modern ones, alas, are difficult to cope with. (will become best choice, if you have a 32-bit Windows operating system, which sees no more than 3 GB of RAM)

Volume 8 GB(or a 2x4GB kit) is the recommended volume today for a full-fledged PC. This is enough for almost any games, for working with any resource-demanding software. The best choice for a universal computer.

A capacity of 16 GB (or sets of 2x8GB, 4x4GB) will be justified if you work with graphics, heavy programming environments, or constantly render video. It’s also perfect for online streaming – with 8 GB there may be stutters, especially with high-quality video broadcasts. Some games in high resolutions and with HD textures may perform better with 16 GB of RAM on board.

Volume 32 GB(set 2x16GB, or 4x8GB) – still a very controversial choice, useful for some very extreme work tasks. It would be better to spend money on other computer components; this will have a stronger effect on its performance.

Operating modes: is it better to have 1 memory stick or 2?

RAM can operate in single-channel, dual-, triple- and quad-channel modes. Definitely, if your motherboard has a sufficient number of slots, then it is better to take several identical smaller memory sticks instead of one. The speed of access to them will increase from 2 to 4 times.

In order for the memory to work in dual-channel mode, you need to install the sticks in slots of the same color on the motherboard. As a rule, the color is repeated through the connector. It is important that the memory frequency in the two sticks be the same.

- Single chanell Mode– single-channel operating mode. It turns on when one memory stick is installed, or different modules operating at different frequencies. As a result, the memory operates at the frequency of the slowest stick.
- Dual Mode– two-channel mode. Works only with memory modules of the same frequency, increases operating speed by 2 times. Manufacturers produce sets of memory modules specifically for this purpose, which can contain 2 or 4 identical sticks.
-Triple Mode– works on the same principle as two-channel. In practice it is not always faster.
- Quad Mode- four-channel mode, which works on the principle of two-channel, accordingly increasing the speed of operation by 4 times. It is used where exceptionally high speed is needed - for example, in servers.

- Flex Mode– a more flexible version of the two-channel operating mode, when the bars are of different volumes, but only the frequency is the same. In this case, in dual-channel mode, the same volumes of modules will be used, and the remaining volume will function in single-channel mode.

Does memory need a heatsink?

Now we are long gone from the days when, at a voltage of 2 V, an operating frequency of 1600 MHz was achieved, and as a result, a lot of heat was generated, which had to be removed somehow. Then the radiator could be a criterion for the survival of an overclocked module.

Nowadays, memory power consumption has decreased significantly, and a heatsink on a module can be justified from a technical point of view only if you are into overclocking and the module will operate at frequencies that are prohibitive for it. In all other cases, radiators can be justified, perhaps, by their beautiful design.

If the radiator is massive and noticeably increases the height of the memory bar, this is already a significant disadvantage, since it may prevent you from installing a processor super cooler in the system. By the way, there are special low-profile memory modules designed for installation in compact cases. They are slightly more expensive than regular size modules.

What are timings?

Timings, or latency (latency)– one of the most important characteristics of RAM, determining its performance. Let us outline the general meaning of this parameter.

Simply put, RAM can be thought of as a two-dimensional table in which each cell carries information. Cells are accessed by column and row numbers, and this is indicated by the row access strobe RAS(Row Access Strobe) and column access gate CAS (Access Strobe) by changing the voltage. Thus, for each cycle of work, accesses occur RAS And CAS, and between these calls and the write/read commands there are certain delays, which are called timings.

In the description of the RAM module you can see five timings, which for convenience are written as a sequence of numbers separated by a hyphen, for example 8-9-9-20-27 .

· tRCD (time of RAS to CAS Delay)- timing, which determines the delay from the RAS pulse to the CAS
· CL (time of CAS Latency)- timing, which determines the delay between the write/read command and the CAS pulse
· tRP (time of Row Precharge)- timing, which determines the delay when transitioning from one line to the next
· tRAS (time of Active to Precharge Delay)- timing, which determines the delay between the activation of the line and the end of working with it; considered the main meaning
· Command rate– defines the delay between the command to select an individual chip on the module until the command to activate the line; this timing is not always indicated.

To put it even more simply, it is important to know only one thing about timings - the lower their values, the better. In this case, the strips can have the same operating frequency, but different timings, and a module with lower values ​​will always be faster. So it’s worth choosing the minimum timings; for DDR4, timings for average values ​​will be 15-15-15-36, for DDR3 - 10-10-10-30. It is also worth remembering that timings are related to the memory frequency, so when overclocking you will most likely have to increase the timings, and vice versa - you can manually lower the frequency, thereby reducing the timings. It is most beneficial to pay attention to the totality of these parameters, choosing rather a balance, and not chasing the extreme values ​​of the parameters.

How to decide on a budget?

With a larger amount, you can afford more RAM. The main difference between cheap and expensive modules will be in the timings, operating frequency, and brand - well-known, advertised modules may cost a little more than noname modules from an unknown manufacturer.
In addition, the radiator installed on the modules costs additional money. Not all planks need it, but manufacturers are not skimping on them now.

The price will also depend on the timings; the lower they are, the higher the speed, and, accordingly, the price.

So, having up to 2000 rubles, you can purchase a 4 GB memory module, or 2 2 GB modules, which is preferable. Choose depending on what your PC configuration allows. Modules DDR type 3 will cost almost half as much as DDR4. With such a budget, it makes more sense to take DDR3.

To the group up to 4000 rubles includes modules with a capacity of 8 GB, as well as sets of 2x4 GB. This is the optimal choice for any task except professional video work and in any other heavy-duty environments.

In total up to 8000 rubles It will cost 16 GB of memory. Recommended for professional purposes, or for avid gamers - even enough in reserve, while waiting for new demanding games.

If it's not a problem to spend up to 13,000 rubles, then the best choice would be to invest them in a set of 4 4 GB sticks. For this money you can even choose more beautiful radiators, perhaps for later overclocking.

I don’t recommend taking more than 16 GB without the purpose of working in professional heavy environments (and even then not in all), but if you really want it, then for the amount from 13,000 rubles you can climb to Olympus by purchasing a 32 GB or even 64 GB kit. True, this will not make much sense for the average user or gamer - it is better to spend money on, say, a flagship video card.

Instructions

For correct selection components for the motherboard, you need to know two parameters that RAM (random access memory) has - speed and volume. Speed ​​in MHz, volume in MB. For modern powerful computers, it is recommended to purchase two or more RAM cards. If you decide to follow this advice, then purchase boards with the same parameters. This can guarantee stable operation. If some board is faster and some is slower, your computer will rely on weaker RAM. If you bought 1 GB of RAM, then you should buy a second one exactly the same, no less.

It is believed that a 1000 MHz processor requires a RAM board of at least 512 MB. Calculate the required volume for this parameter depending on the frequency of your own processor. The larger the processor, the more RAM it will need. For example, for a powerful one you need from 2 to 4 GB of RAM.

Also, when selecting RAM for your computer, you should know the differences between different types memory - DDR, DDR II and DDR Ш. They differ, first of all, in compatibility with certain models of motherboards. DDR format RAM is quite rare and is typical of older computer models. Find out what type of RAM your motherboard has, only then go to the store, because if you buy a memory board of the wrong type, it simply will not install.

Random access memory (RAM) is the working area for the activities of the central processing unit (CPU). It stores data and programs currently running on the computer. The OP is a temporary data storage and when the PC is rebooted or turned off, it is completely “empty”.

Instructions

Dynamic random access memory or DRAM - this technology is used to implement RAM in modern computers.

OP type. There are several types of memory, and before choosing the one you need, it is important to determine whether it is supported by your PC's mother card. Here's a list of types:
DDR is characterized by double data transfer rate. Now this type of OP is morally and physically and is almost never used. The DDR module has 184 and a standard supply voltage of 2.5 V;
DDR2 is the most widely used today. Allows sampling 4 bits per clock, while DDR only allows 2 bits. Has 120 contacts on each side. The supply voltage is 1.8 V.
DDR3 allows you to sample 8 bits per clock cycle. It also has 240 contacts, like DDR2, and its standard voltage is only 1.5 V. In addition, DDR3 has a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to DDR2 memory. Therefore, such memory is practically irreplaceable for netbooks.

Now let's talk about throughput. The more OP bus this indicator is, the more

A lot of readers on our site are interested in questions one way or another related to the choice of RAM, and our site has a very strong desire to answer everyone. To make it interesting for you in the process of gaining knowledge, this article is presented by the author in the form of a fascinating story from which you will learn EVERYTHING about computer RAM!

You will learn not only how to choose and buy RAM from a quality manufacturer, but also how to correctly install RAM modules in your computer and much more, for example:

1. How much RAM does a modern computer need for comfortable operation of all resource-intensive applications, for example: modern games at maximum settings, video and sound processing programs, etc. What should a powerful modern computer be like?
2. (follow the link and read a separate article).
3. (follow the link and read a separate article)?
4. What way out does the operating system find when there is not enough RAM?
5. Is having too much RAM good for your computer?
6. Do you need to completely disable the page file if you have a large amount of physical RAM, for example 16 -32 GB?
7. How much better is dual-channel RAM operating mode than single-channel? What is better to buy, one 8GB memory stick or two 4GB sticks?
8. How to choose the right RAM modules for dual-channel operation?
9. What is the frequency of RAM and is it possible to install RAM sticks with different frequencies in a computer?
10. What is RAM latency (timings)? Is it possible to install RAM sticks with different timings in a computer?
11. What is the difference between the RAM sticks used on laptops and regular RAM?
12. Nowadays DDR3 memory is actively used, but are there DDR4 memory sticks on sale?
13. If you have an old computer and you want to buy additional DDR2 RAM, then think several times, because DDR2 memory is expensive, maybe it’s better for you to replace the motherboard, processor and change the RAM to DDR3.
14. How to choose a RAM manufacturer and is all RAM made in China?
15. Is overclocking of RAM necessary and how much will RAM performance increase during overclocking?
16. Is a heatsink really necessary for RAM?
17. What is a RAM controller, why is it needed and where is it located?
18. What does ECC RAM marking mean?

How to choose RAM

Friends, in the last article we discussed the issue of choice and I was thinking about what article to write next. It seems logical to choose a motherboard for it after the processor, but I usually do it differently. After choosing the processor, I choose the memory and video card, I don’t know why, it’s probably just easier and you can immediately estimate how much to expect, since choosing a motherboard is the most difficult part of choosing a computer configuration. In view of this, I decided not to deviate from my chosen tradition and devote this article to the choice of random access memory (RAM). Since this site is dedicated to the repair of personal computers, of course the issue of choosing RAM will be considered not only for new, but also for older PCs.

Like choosing a processor, choosing RAM is not a difficult task at all. probably even easier. But, as with everything, there are some nuances. Often the choice of RAM comes down to its current price and the amount you are willing to spend. Recently, trends in price changes for RAM modules have been very ambiguous. Several years ago there was a real boom in increasing the amount of RAM in personal computers. And this was due not so much to the growing requirements of modern applications and operating systems, but to the incredible reduction in price.

A 4 gigabyte (GB) memory stick could be purchased for only $25 or even cheaper. As a result, solely for marketing purposes (to make computers more attractive and increase sales), this same memory began to be “stuffed” into new computers in huge volumes. Yes, the cheapest system unit, costing about $200-250, necessarily had 4 GB of memory, and the average one for $300-350 had all 8 GB. Salespeople in stores placed great emphasis on this, while keeping silent about the fact that this amount of memory would never be realized (fully used) by these PCs, since the rest of the “stuffing,” such as the processor and video card, left much to be desired. This, in essence, was a kind of deception of buyers or, to put it nicely, a marketing ploy...

Unfortunately, gone are the days when you could stock up on RAM for free without even playing around, and now the price for it has increased significantly. It seems that we have again been hooked on the needle of technological progress... But is a large amount of RAM really needed?

How much RAM does a modern computer need?

I must say that until recently, I was fond of modern computer games. Therefore, I always tried to keep my PC up to date. Probably, since I built my first full-fledged PC in 1997, not a single year has passed that I haven’t treated myself to purchasing a new video card, processor or memory.

In those old (by computer standards) days, there was a certain division in how computers used operating system components. Games only needed a powerful video card, some RAM, and the processor almost didn’t matter, since all the calculations were performed by the video card, which has both its own processor and its own memory.

To encode video, on the contrary, a powerful processor and a sufficient amount of RAM were needed, but the video card did not matter, etc. Modern gaming applications have “learned” to make full use of the previously “idle” powerful components of modern computers, such as the processor and RAM.

If we talk about using a PC as a gaming and entertainment platform, then, until recently, I had not come across games that could load at least 3 GB of memory 100% even at maximum graphics settings. But in some cases, the total memory load was close to this figure, despite the fact that the game itself consumed about 2 GB, and the rest was consumed by other applications, such as Skype, antivirus, etc.

Note: Please note that we were not talking about 4 GB, but about 3. The fact is that 32-bit Windows operating systems (OS) do not know how to use more than 3 GB of RAM and therefore the “excess” is simply “not seen”... In fairness, it is worth noting that for 32-bit OS built on the Linux kernel, such strict restrictions do not exist. So, friends, there is no point in installing more than 4 GB of memory on a 32-bit Windows; they simply will not be used.

For not very new, but also relatively old systems, on which you can put a lot of memory, using a 64-bit OS, in some cases, can be problematic. Since 64-bit versions of drivers for some equipment may simply not exist.

Not so long ago, just at the moment of total reduction in the price of memory, I purchased the same amount in addition to my 4 GB. But this was not caused by its shortcoming, but by the fact that on my fairly powerful motherboard, due to some misunderstanding) there were slots for almost outdated DDR2 memory and I was afraid that a little more and it might completely disappear or wildly increase in price, and here is such a “freebie”... After that, I switched to a 64-bit operating system, since otherwise this purchase would not have looked so reasonable). You also need to take into account that I have a fairly powerful 4-core processor and an expensive modern video card, thanks to which I can play games at very high graphics settings, at which RAM consumption is maximum.

If you have an entry-level or mid-level PC, then 4 GB of RAM will be enough for you, because it is comfortable to play modern games You can only do it on low or medium settings, which do not require large amounts of memory. In such conditions, installing, say, 8 GB of RAM is wasted money. But if your PC is powerful enough and is a gaming PC, then I would still recommend installing 8 GB, since there is a tendency towards a gradual increase in RAM consumption by modern games.

For example, the recently released game Call of Duty: Ghosts simply refused to launch if it detected that you had less than 6 GB of RAM installed. Again, in fairness, it should be noted that folk craftsmen made a fix that allowed you to bypass this limitation at launch and the game worked.

Regarding 64-bit operating systems, then you should know that it, like all 64-bit applications, consumes exactly 2 times more memory than 32-bit ones. Here this is already fully justified by memory addressing technology and significantly improves performance.

What should a fast computer be like?

We will not go into details, but you must understand that in order to feel the increase in speed, the following conditions must be met:

The central processing unit (CPU) must have a 64-bit architecture, the operating system must be 64-bit.

The application that you want to use to improve the performance of certain operations must be 64-bit, the data that is processed must be streaming (video conversion, archiving), since the speed increase is achieved by processing more information in one pass. In this case, the increase will be very significant – up to 2 times. Under such conditions, using Intel processor(with a longer pipeline) You will get the highest possible throughput for such operations. But, as you know, in games data is transferred in small portions (since it is impossible to predict the user’s next step), therefore, even in those games where 64-bit versions of the game engine are available for launch, there will be almost no increase. And yet the decisive role of the video card in them has not gone away.

As for professional use, in such areas as video editing, 3D modeling, design, then specialists in these areas know exactly what hardware and how much memory they need. Usually this is from 16 GB or more. And if, say, in 3D modeling there is no streaming data processing, then simply the volume and quality of models can be so high that a lot of RAM is “stupidly” needed to accommodate this model.

If you are not a professional, but really like to convert videos, then 4-8 GB will be enough for you.

Truly huge amounts of RAM can be in demand in scientific systems and highly loaded servers. In the latter, for example, a memory capacity of 64 GB or more is considered quite common. But the memory there is not cheap either - server memory (with parity checking and automatic error correction), since failures are not allowed on them.

Well, as an example, I’ll give a situation from my real life. When I was training in networking and systems administration, I often had to emulate a large number of concurrent operating systems and network equipment. Such combinations as 5-10 operating systems running in VirtualBox (or VMware) + the same number of emulated network devices in GNS can eat up a fair amount of RAM. And it’s good if, in addition to a powerful processor that supports modern virtualization technologies, there are 8-16 GB of RAM, otherwise the brakes are guaranteed...

Why can't you disable the page file?

What happens when there is not enough RAM? Yes, it’s very simple - the OS, in order to compensate for the lack of memory, begins to actively use HDD(the so-called swap file). By the way, God forbid you turn it off. The operation of the system is very deeply tied to the page file and disabling it will be more problems than it is worth. As a result, not only does the processor slow down, but also hard drive.

There is only one conclusion - there should be enough memory; if there is not enough memory, the computer starts to slow down terribly, but too much memory does not give any performance gain.

What types of RAM are there?

There is no such thing as memory...

A board with memory chips is usually called a memory module (or “stick”). There are single-sided and double-sided memory modules. On the first, the chips are placed on one side of the printed circuit board, on the second - on both sides. What's better? I don’t know) There is an opinion that double-sided modules “chase” better; read about what this means further in this article. On the other hand, the fewer chips, the higher the reliability of the module. I have seen cases more than once when one side of the chips on a strip failed and the computer saw only half of its volume. But now I would not focus on this.

The main thing you need to know is that if there are several memory modules in the computer, then it is desirable that they all be either single-sided or double-sided. Otherwise, the memory does not always get along well with each other and does not work at full speed.

Today the most modern memory is DDR3 type., which replaced the older DDR2, which in turn replaced the even older DDR. A new, more modern DDR4 memory has already been developed, but it has not yet reached the masses. We won't go deeper.

When building a new PC, you should only choose the latest memory standard. At the moment it is DDR3.

Sometimes replacing a motherboard and purchasing a new type of memory is equivalent in price to adding an old type of RAM to an old board.

The new memory will also be significantly cheaper than the older DDR2, for which greedy manufacturers and sellers “keep” (keep) a high price, since there is little of it left and for those who want to upgrade their PC there is simply no other choice but to agree to such draconian conditions. In this case, it’s worth thinking about, maybe adding a little and buying more promising components? And if you sell the old one, you can actually get a profit, if you’re lucky, of course)

Laptop memory

Laptops use the same memory as PCs, but have a smaller module size and are called SO-DIMM DDR (DDR2, DDR3).

Memory characteristics. Frequency and timings

Memory is characterized primarily by type. The memory types used for desktop computers today are: DDR, DDR2, DDR3.

The main characteristic of memory is its frequency. The higher the frequency, the faster the memory is considered. But this frequency must be supported by the processor and motherboard, otherwise the memory will operate at a lower frequency, and the money you overpaid will go down the drain.

Memory modules, as well as its types, have their own markings, which begin with PC, PC2 and PC3, respectively.

Today, the most common memory is DDR3 PC3-10600 (1333 MHz). It will work at its native frequency on any computer. In principle, the speed of the computer does not greatly depend on the memory frequency. For example, in games this increase will be absolutely indistinguishable, but in some other applications it will be more noticeable. But the difference in price, for example in comparison with DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600 MHz) memory, will be very small. Here I usually follow the rule - if the price is slightly higher ($1-3) and the processor supports a higher frequency, then why not - we take faster memory.

Is it possible to install RAM sticks with different frequencies into a computer?

The frequency of the RAM does not have to be the same; the motherboard will set the frequency for all sticks to the slowest module, but very often a computer with sticks of different frequencies is unstable. For example, it may not turn on at all.

Timings

The next memory performance parameter is the so-called delays (timings). Roughly speaking, this is the time that has passed from the moment the memory is accessed until the moment it produces the necessary data. Accordingly, the shorter the timings, the better. There are dozens of different delays when reading, writing, copying, and various combinations of these and other operations. But there are only a few main ones that you can use to navigate.

Timings are indicated (though not always) on the label of memory modules in the form of 4 numbers with hyphens between them. The first and most important is latency, the rest are derivatives of it.

Delays depend on the manufacturing quality of the memory chips. Accordingly, higher quality, lower timings, higher price. However, it is worth noting that timings have a much smaller impact on performance than memory frequency. Therefore, I rarely attach importance to this, only if the price is approximately the same, you can buy memory with lower timings. Typically, modules with ultra-low timings are positioned as top-end, and come complete with radiators (which we’ll talk about later), in beautiful packaging and are much more expensive.

Marking of main types, memory modules, their frequency and typical latency (CL)

DDR – outdated (completely)

DDR-266 - PC2100 - 266 MHz - CL 2.5

DDR-333 - PC2700 - 333 MHz - CL 2.5

DDR-400 - PC-3200 - 400 MHz - CL 2.5

DDR2 - obsolete (sometimes still found and can be used to add to an old PC)

DDR2-533 - PC2-4200 - 533 MHz - CL 5

DDR2-667 - PC2-5300 - 667 MHz - CL 5

DDR2-800 - PC2-6400 - 800 MHz - CL 5

DDR2-1066 - PC2-8500 - 1066 MHz - CL 5

DDR3 – modern

DDR3-1333 - PC3-10600 - 1333 MHz - CL 9

DDR3-1600 - PC3-12800 - 1600 MHz - CL 11

DDR3-1800 - PC3-14400 - 1800 MHz - CL 11

DDR3-2000 - PC3-16000 - 2000 MHz - CL 11

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. There shouldn't be any problems.

Memory operating modes

Yes, yes... Perhaps not everyone knew, but RAM can operate in different modes, the so-called: Single Mode (single-channel) and Dual Mode (dual-channel).

In single-channel mode, data is first written to one memory module, and when its capacity is exhausted, it begins to be written to the next free module.

In dual-channel mode, data recording is parallelized and recorded simultaneously on several modules.

This, friends, is where using dual-channel mode significantly increases memory speed. In reality, the memory speed in dual-channel mode is up to 30% higher than in single-channel mode. But in order for it to work, the following conditions must be met:

The motherboard must support dual-channel RAM operation

There should be 2 or 4 memory modules

Memory modules must be either all single-sided or all double-sided

If any of these conditions are not met, the memory will only operate in single-channel mode.

It is desirable that all the strips be as identical as possible: they have the same frequency, latency, and are even from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, no one can give any guarantees about the operation of the dual-channel mode. Therefore, if you want your memory to work in the fastest possible mode, it is very advisable to immediately purchase 2 identical memory sticks, because after a year or two you will definitely not find the same one.

Another question is if you need to increase the amount of memory on an old computer. In this case, you can try to find a memory module that is as similar as possible to the one you already have. If you have 2 of them, and there are 2 more free slots on the motherboard, then you will have to look for 2 more of the same modules. An ideal, but not always economical, option is to sell the old memory as used and buy 2 new identical modules of larger capacity.

Of course, if your old computer is very weak, then there may not be a big gain from the dual-channel mode. In this case, you can install any module, but it is still better to choose the most suitable one in order to exclude possible conflict it with old modules and the computer is completely inoperable. Try to agree in advance with the seller about a return or bring the system unit to him and let him try to select a suitable module.

RAM controller

It should be noted that previously memory controllers were located in the chipset (logic set) of motherboards. In modern systems, memory controllers are located in processors. In this regard, the dual-channel memory mode now has 2 more submodes: Ganged (paired) and Unganged (unpaired).

In ganged mode, memory modules work the same as in old motherboards, but in unpaired mode, each processor memory controller (in modern processors there are 2 of them) can work separately with each stick. This mode can be set in the computer's BIOS, but is usually selected automatically by the processor. If the planks are identical, then Ganged (but not necessarily), if they are different, then only Unganged. In any case, the memory will operate in dual-channel mode. But I still recommend buying and installing 2 identical modules at once, this will eliminate distortions in their parameters and improve compatibility.

The dual-channel RAM mode has only one drawback - 2 memory sticks are slightly more expensive than one of the same size. Therefore, many stores and private collectors save money and set the same bar. As a result, we have a modern computer that does not work at full capacity.

Some modern expensive motherboards, which usually have 6 slots for memory modules, can even operate in three-channel mode.

By the way, if you have 2 or 3 memory sticks, then in order for the dual-channel or three-channel mode to work, all these sticks must be inserted into slots of the same color.

Some memory modules for desktops have the abbreviation ECC in their markings.

This is memory with parity, a technology used in server systems. You should not pay any attention to this, since on desktop PCs this technology is not critical and, in most cases, does not work at all. It's still the same marketing ploy.

Memory connectors

There's nothing to talk about here at all. Each type of memory DDR, DDR2, DDR3 has its own connector on the motherboard of the same type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3). You will not insert memory of one type into a slot of another type, since there is a special protrusion (key) in the motherboard slot,

Which should coincide with the slot on the memory module board. This was done precisely so as not to accidentally confuse and install the bracket in the wrong connector and, as a result, not damage both the memory and, possibly, the motherboard. When purchasing memory, you need to know exactly what type of memory the motherboard supports.

About RAM heatsinks

Some memory modules are equipped with so-called heatsinks, which are linings made of aluminum plates, sometimes painted copper or other colors, on both sides of the board. These pads are connected to the memory chips through special thermal pads, which are designed to better transfer heat from the chips to the heatsinks. Radiators can have additional fins to increase the cooling area and even better heat dissipation.

In practice, memory chips heat up slightly during normal operation and do not require additional cooling. Gaskets between chips and heatsinks do not transfer heat as well as thermal paste between the processor and cooler. In addition, in the free space between the board and the radiators there is an air gap that interferes with natural cooling and over time becomes clogged with dust, which is difficult to clean out. This design provides for active cooling using an additional fan or good air flow inside the case. In addition, such modules can often cost more.

So who needs such joy, you ask? Well, ask me)

Answer: enthusiasts who never have enough of everything, who want to overclock everything, overtake everyone, etc. Besides, it’s just beautiful) Yes, friends, if you consider yourself to be in this group of users, then this memory is for you! Because such a cooling system will be effective only with sufficiently high heating as a result of overclocking with increased voltage and mandatory additional airflow. Remember - regular memory operating in normal mode does not need radiators.

Example correct use memory with heatsinks in a powerful system

Overclocking RAM

Overclocking is a slang word in the computer lexicon, which implies manually setting more aggressive parameters for the operation of electronic components, such as processors, memory and video cards, than those provided by the manufacturer. Such parameters are usually the frequency (in processors there is also a multiplier). At particularly high overclocking, the voltage is also increased to ensure relatively stable operation of these components. As a result, higher heating of the elements occurs, requiring improved cooling. The so-called overclocking itself is possible thanks to a certain margin laid down by the manufacturer so that the product works stably, and not at the edge of its capabilities, or especially for advanced users) In any case, this event makes the operation of the entire system less stable and shortens the service life of overclocked components . If you still decide to experiment, then first thoroughly study all aspects and act strictly according to the instructions. By the way, if components fail as a result of overclocking, you may lose your warranty.

RAM Manufacturers

Like other components, memory modules are manufactured by many manufacturers. And, as always, they have different quality. I recommend paying attention to the following brands that have an optimal price/quality ratio: AMD, Crucial, Goodram, Hynix, Kingston, Micron, Patriot, Samsung, TakeMS, Transcend.

Enthusiast brands include: Corsair, G.Skill, Mushkin, Team. These companies produce a wide range of modules with radiators and improved technical characteristics. I recommend avoiding cheap Chinese brands: A-Data, Apacer, Elixir, Elpida, NCP, PQI and other little-known manufacturers.

Memory modules that are not manufactured in China deserve special mention. Currently, there are not many of these, for example, modules that are labeled as Hynix Original and Samsung Original are produced in Korea. The quality of such modules is considered higher; they cost a little more, but usually have a longer warranty (up to 36 months).

To be fair, it should be noted that even if you purchased memory from a well-known and reputable brand, this, unfortunately, does not mean that you will not encounter defective modules or modules damaged during transportation. Of course, products from top brands in individual packaging will have fewer defects (damages) than the cheapest modules that are transported and sold in bulk.

Memory module in individual packaging

How to choose memory for a new computer

First of all, choose the most modern type of memory used. Today it is DDR3. Decide on the volume you need. To briefly summarize this article, I will give general recommendations according to the minimum amount of RAM for PCs of different purposes:

For an office or weak home PC – 2 GB

4. It is better to select the most identical strips (single-sided or double-sided), with the same frequency and latency. The ideal option is to sell the old memory as used and install new memory in the required volume.

5. If you install memory with a higher frequency than your processor or motherboard supports, it will operate at a lower frequency.

Make the right choice with us, friends, and there will be no trouble for you)

When purchasing a flash drive, many people ask the question: “how to choose the right flash drive.” Of course, choosing a flash drive is not so difficult if you know exactly for what purpose it is being purchased. In this article I will try to give a complete answer to the question posed. I decided to write only about what to look for when buying.

A flash drive (USB drive) is a drive designed for storing and transferring information. The flash drive works very simply without batteries. You just need to connect it to USB port at your PC.

1. Flash drive interface

At the moment there are 2 interfaces: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. If you decide to buy a flash drive, then I recommend taking a flash drive with a USB 3.0 interface. This interface was made recently, its main feature is high data transfer speed. We'll talk about speeds a little lower.

This is one of the main parameters that you need to look at first. Now flash drives from 1 GB to 256 GB are sold. The cost of a flash drive will directly depend on the amount of memory. Here you need to immediately decide for what purpose you are buying a flash drive. If you are going to store text documents on it, then 1 GB is enough. For downloading and transferring movies, music, photos, etc. you need to take the more, the better. Today, the most popular flash drives are from 8GB to 16GB.

3. Housing material

The body can be made of plastic, glass, wood, metal, etc. Most flash drives are made of plastic. I can’t give any advice here; it all depends on the buyer’s preferences.

4. Data transfer rate

Earlier I wrote that there are two standards: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Now I will explain how they differ. The USB 2.0 standard has read speeds of up to 18 Mbit/s and write speeds of up to 10 Mbit/s. The USB 3.0 standard has a read speed of 20-70 Mbit/s, and a write speed of 15-70 Mbit/s. Here, I think, there is no need to explain anything.

Now you can find flash drives in stores different forms and sizes. They can be in the form of jewelry, fancy animals, etc. Here I would advise taking flash drives that have a protective cap.

6. Password protection

There are flash drives that have a password protection feature. Such protection is carried out using a program that is located in the flash drive itself. The password can be set both on the entire flash drive and on part of the data in it. Such a flash drive will primarily be useful to people who transfer corporate information to it. According to the manufacturers, if you lose it, you don’t have to worry about your data. Not so simple. If such a flash drive falls into the hands of an understanding person, then hacking it is just a matter of time.

These flash drives look very beautiful, but I would not recommend buying them. Because they are very fragile and often break in half. But if you are a neat person, then feel free to take it.

Conclusion

As you noticed, there are many nuances. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the most important parameters when choosing are: the standard of the flash drive, the capacity and speed of writing and reading. And everything else: design, material, options - this is just everyone’s personal choice.

Good afternoon, my dear friends. In today's article I want to talk about how to choose the right mouse pad. When buying a rug, many people do not attach any importance to this. But as it turned out, this moment needs to be given Special attention, because The mat determines one of the indicators of comfort while working at a PC. For an avid gamer, choosing a rug is a completely different story. Let's look at what types of mouse pads have been invented today.

Mat options

1. Aluminum
2. Glass
3. Plastic
4. Rubberized
5. Double sided
6. Helium

And now I would like to talk about each type in more detail.

1. First I want to consider three options at once: plastic, aluminum and glass. These rugs are very popular among gamers. For example, plastic mats are easier to find on sale. The mouse glides quickly and accurately on these mats. And most importantly, these mouse pads are suitable for both laser and optical mice. Aluminum and glass mats will be a little harder to find. Yes, and they will cost a lot. True, there is a reason for this - they will serve for a very long time. These types of rugs have minor flaws. Many people say that they rustle when operating and are a little cool to the touch, which may cause discomfort for some users.

2. Rubberized (rag) mats have soft sliding, but the accuracy of their movements is worse. For ordinary users, such a mat will be just right. And they are much cheaper than the previous ones.

3. Double-sided mats, in my opinion, are very interesting variety mouse pads. As the name suggests, these rugs have two sides. Typically, one side is high-speed and the other is high-precision. It happens that each side is designed for a specific game.

4. Helium mats have a silicone cushion. She supposedly supports the hand and relieves tension from it. For me personally, they turned out to be the most inconvenient. According to their intended purpose, they are designed for office workers, since they sit at the computer all day long. These mats are not suitable for casual users and gamers. The mouse glides very poorly on the surface of such mouse pads, and their accuracy is not the best.

Mat sizes

There are three types of rugs: large, medium and small. Here everything primarily depends on the taste of the user. But as is commonly believed, large rugs are good for games. Small and medium ones are taken mainly for work.

Rugs design

In this regard, there are no restrictions. It all depends on what you want to see on your rug. Fortunately, now they don’t draw anything on rugs. The most popular are the logos of computer games, such as Dota, Warcraft, Line, etc. But if it happened that you couldn’t find a rug with the pattern you wanted, don’t be upset. Now you can order a print on a rug. But such mats have a disadvantage: when printing is applied to the surface of the mat, its properties deteriorate. Design in exchange for quality.

This is where I want to end the article. On my own behalf, I wish you to make the right choice and be satisfied with it.
For anyone who doesn’t have a mouse or wants to replace it with another one, I advise you to look at the article:.

Microsoft's all-in-one PCs have been replenished with a new all-in-one model called Surface Studio. Microsoft recently presented its new product at an exhibition in New York.

On a note! I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the Surface all-in-one. This candy bar was presented earlier. To view the article, click on.

Design

Microsoft calls its new product the world's thinnest candy bar. Weighing 9.56 kg, the thickness of the display is only 12.5 mm, the remaining dimensions are 637.35x438.9 mm. The display dimensions are 28 inches with a resolution greater than 4K (4500x3000 pixels), aspect ratio 3:2.

On a note! The display resolution of 4500x3000 pixels corresponds to 13.5 million pixels. This is 63% more than 4K resolution.

The all-in-one display itself is touch-sensitive, housed in an aluminum case. On such a display it is very convenient to draw with a stylus, which ultimately opens up new possibilities for using a candy bar. In my opinion, this candy bar model will appeal to creative people (photographers, designers, etc.).

On a note! For people in creative professions, I advise you to look at the article where I reviewed all-in-one computers with similar functionality. Click on the highlighted one: .

To everything written above, I would add that the main feature of the candy bar will be its ability to instantly turn into a tablet with a huge working surface.

On a note! By the way, Microsoft has another amazing candy bar. To find out about it, go to.

Specifications

I will present the characteristics in the form of a photograph.

From the periphery, I note the following: 4 USB ports, Mini-Display Port connector, Ethernet network port, card-reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, 1080p webcam, 2 microphones, 2.1 Dolby Audio Premium audio system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. The candy bar also supports Xbox wireless controllers.

Price

When purchasing an all-in-one PC, Windows 10 Creators Update will be installed on it. This system should be released in the spring of 2017. In this operating system there will be updated Paint, Office, etc. The price for an all-in-one PC will be from $3,000.
Dear friends, write in the comments what you think about this candy bar, ask questions. I'll be glad to chat!

OCZ demonstrated the new VX 500 SSD drives. These drives will be equipped with a Serial ATA 3.0 interface and are made in a 2.5-inch form factor.

On a note! Anyone interested in how SSD drives work and how long they last can read in an article I wrote earlier:.

The new products are made using 15-nanometer technology and will be equipped with Tochiba MLC NAND flash memory microchips. The controller in the SSD drives will be Tochiba TC 35 8790.
The VX 500 drive range will consist of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 550 MB/s (this is for all drives in this series), but the write speed will be from 485 MB/s to 512 MB/s.

The number of input/output operations per second (IOPS) with data blocks of 4 KB in size can reach 92,000 when reading, and 65,000 when writing (this is all at random).
The thickness of OCZ VX 500 drives will be 7 mm. This will allow them to be used in ultrabooks.

The prices of the new products will be as follows: 128 GB - $64, 256 GB - $93, 512 GB - $153, 1 TB - $337. I think in Russia they will cost more.

Lenovo presented its new gaming all-in-one IdeaCentre Y910 at Gamescom 2016.

On a note! Previously, I wrote an article where I already reviewed gaming monoblocks from different manufacturers. This article can be viewed by clicking on this one.

The new product from Lenovo received a frameless display measuring 27 inches. The display resolution is 2560x1440 pixels (this is QHD format), the refresh rate is 144 Hz, and the response time is 5 ms.

The monoblock will have several configurations. The maximum configuration includes a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor and a hard drive capacity of up to 2 TB or 256 GB. The amount of RAM is 32 GB DDR4. The graphics will be provided by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 1080 video card with Pascal architecture. Thanks to such a video card, it will be possible to connect a virtual reality helmet to the candy bar.
From the periphery of the candy bar, I would highlight the Harmon Kardon audio system with 5-watt speakers, the Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi module, a webcam, USB ports 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI connectors.

In its basic version, the IdeaCentre Y910 monoblock will go on sale in September 2016 at a price of 1,800 euros. But the candy bar with the “VR-ready” version will appear in October at a price of 2,200 euros. It is known that this version will have a GeForce GTX 1070 video card.

MediaTek has decided to upgrade its Helio X30 mobile processor. So now the developers from MediaTek are designing a new mobile processor called Helio X35.

I would like to briefly talk about Helio X30. This processor has 10 cores, which are combined into 3 clusters. Helio X30 has 3 variations. The first - the most powerful - consists of Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz. There are also blocks with Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz and Cortex-A35 with a frequency of 2.0 GHz.

The new Helio X35 processor also has 10 cores and is created using 10-nanometer technology. The clock frequency in this processor will be much higher than that of its predecessor and ranges from 3.0 Hz. The new product will allow you to use up to 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. The graphics in the processor will most likely be handled by the Power VR 7XT controller.
The station itself can be seen in the photographs in the article. In them we can see storage compartments. One bay has a 3.5" jack and the other has a 2.5" jack. Thus to new station You can connect both a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard drive (HDD).

The dimensions of the Drive Dock station are 160x150x85mm, and the weight is no less than 970 grams.
Many people probably have a question about how the Drive Dock connects to a computer. I answer: this happens through the USB port 3.1 Gen 1. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 434 MB/s, and in write mode (sequential) 406 MB/s. The new product will be compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

This device will be very useful for people who work with photo and video materials at a professional level. Drive Dock can also be used for file backups.
The price for the new device will be acceptable - it is $90.

On a note! Previously, Renduchinthala worked for Qualcomm. And since November 2015, he moved to a competing company, Intel.

In his interview, Renduchintala did not talk about mobile processors, but only said the following, I quote: “I prefer to talk less and do more.”
Thus, the Intel top manager created great intrigue with his interview. We can only wait for new announcements in the future.