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RESEARCHUT
Minds With Innovations
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I hope this guide to be helpful to you but with no warranty though. :-)
Do I have to buy the same size upgrade as the memory module currently
installed in my computer or can I mix different sizes?
In newer systems using SDRAM or DDR SDRAM memory, you can use modules of different
densities with no problem. For example, if your computer came with a 128MB memory module, you
can add a 256MB module for a total of 384MB of RAM. However, if you have a "dual-channel"
system and want to take advantage of that technology, you will need to ensure that the modules in
each memory slot are the same density.
PC1600 memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a 100-MHz front-side bus, (providing a
200 mega transfers per second (MT/s) data transfer rate). The "1600" refers to the module's
bandwidth (the maximum amount of data it can transfer each second), which is 1.6 GB. PC1600 has
been replaced by PC2100, which is backward compatible.
PC2100 memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a 133-MHz front-side bus (providing a 266
MT/s data transfer rate). The "2100" refers to the module's bandwidth (the maximum amount of data
it can transfer each second), which is 2.1 GB. PC2100 is used primarily in AMD Athlon systems,
Pentium III systems, and Pentium IV systems.
PC2700 memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a 166-MHz front-side bus (providing a 333
MT/s data transfer rate). The "2700" refers to the module's bandwidth (the maximum amount of data
it can transfer each second), which is 2.7 GB.
PC3200 (commonly referred to as DDR400) memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a
200-MHz front-side bus (providing a 400 MT/s data transfer rate). The "3200" refers to the module's
bandwidth (the maximum amount of data it can transfer each second), which is 3.2 GB.
PC100 memory is SDRAM designed for use in systems with a 100-MHz front-side bus. It is used in
many Pentium II, Pentium III, AMD K6-III, AMD Athlon, AMD Duron, and Power Mac G4 systems.
PC133 memory is SDRAM designed for use in systems with a 133-MHz front-side bus. It is used in
many Pentium III B, AMD Athlon, and Power Mac G4 systems.
FPM and EDO speeds are written in nanoseconds (ns), which indicates their access time; the lower
the number, the faster the memory (it takes fewer nanoseconds to process data).
It may seem confusing, but faster memory will not necessarily make your system faster. You can't
speed up your computer by adding faster memory if other components in your computer (your
processor or other memory modules) operate at a slower speed.
Keep in mind, that the right memory for your computer is the kind of memory it was designed to
take. Check your system manual or look up your system in the Crucial Memory Advisor to find the
memory guaranteed to be 100 percent compatible or your money back!
PC2100 refers to the bandwidth of the memory. A PC2100 module has the bandwidth of 2.1GB/sec
therefore it is referred to as PC2100.
DDR266 refers to the effective front-side bus speed of your system. While your DDR system or
motherboard may operate a 133MHz front-side bus, its effective front-side bus speed is 266MHz
because DDR effectively doubles the amount of data transferred per cycle that a non-DDR system
would.
The same holds true for PC2700 (DDR333) which has a bandwidth of 2.7GB/sec and is designed for
use in systems and motherboards which require a 166MHz front-side bus, with an effective
front-side bus speed of 333MHz.
PC3200 DDR (DDR400) has a bandwidth of 3.2GB/sec and is designed for use in systems and
motherboards which require a 200MHz front-side bus with an effective front-side bus speed of
400MHz.
DDR in a computer designed to use PC2100 DDR or vice-versa), we always recommend that you
use the Crucial Memory Selector to find exactly the right memory for your computer.
The right memory for your computer is the kind of memory it was designed to take. Check your
system manual or look up your system in the Crucial Memory Advisor to find the memory
guaranteed to be 100 percent compatible or your money back.
When properly used, the term "dual channel" refers to the DDR or DDR2 chipset on certain
motherboards designed with two memory channels instead of one. The two channels handle
memory-processing more efficiently by utilizing the theoretical bandwidth of the two modules, thus
reducing system latencies, the timing delays that inherently occur with one memory module. For
example, one controller reads and writes data while the second controller prepares for the next
access, hence, eliminating the reset and setup delays that occur before one memory module can
begin the read/write process all over again. Think of it like two relay runners. The first runner runs
one leg while the second runner sets up and prepares to receive the baton smoothly and carry on
the task at hand without delay. While performance gains from dual-channel chipsets aren't huge,
they can increase bandwidth by as much as 10 percent. To those seeking to push the performance
envelope, that 10 percent can be very important.
So the next time you come across a product that's touted and sold as dual-channel memory, know
this- It's simply two DDR or DDR2 memory modules, packaged and marketed as a specialty product
or a must-have "kit." If indeed you have a dual-channel platform and you want to take advantage of
the performance gain it offers, our advice is to opt for high quality and service over expensive
packaging, and simply purchase your DDR or DDR2 memory in pairs. However, be very careful to
order two modules with the exact same specifications; the modules must be identical to each other
to perform correctly.
First, your computer is designed to hold a maximum amount of RAM. When you look up your
computer in the Memory Selector, you will see the system maximum on the page that lists the
compatible upgrades for your system.
When purchasing your memory upgrade, ensure you do not exceed the lower of the two maximums
(OS & computer maximums.) Too much RAM can lower your system's performance or cause other
problems. (In most cases, the system maximum is lower than the OS maximum.)
However, there are exceptions to this general rule. For example, there are situations where a
computer with 4 memory slots and a 2GB maximum memory capacity will accept two 1GB modules.
There are also times when a system would only accept a 512MB module at launch, but down the
road would take a 1GB module with a BIOS upgrade. This is why it is so important to use the
Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool which can alert you to these exceptions.
To completely "max out" the memory on your computer, you may need to actually remove memory
modules currently installed and replace them with larger-capacity modules. Using the example
above, if your computer has one 512MB module already installed, with one memory slot open, you
would need to remove the 512MB and install two 1GB modules to truly "max out" your computer.
The System Scanner results showed my computer's front side bus speed
is 200MHz but it's supposed to be 800MHz. What's wrong?
Many newer computers use double data rate or "quad-pumped" front side busses. While the actual
front side bus frequency is 200MHz, the enhanced capability of your computer's front side bus
allows it to perform like a 400MHz or 800MHz front side bus.
I have 256MB of memory, but the Crucial System Scanner only shows
248MB. What happened to the missing memory?
Quite a few computers, especially notebook computers and budget desktop computers, use
integrated graphics processors that share memory with the main system memory. As a result, your
computer will set aside a portion of the main system memory for the integrated graphics processor,
reducing the actual amount of memory available to the rest of your computer. This amount can
range from as low as 8MB to as high as 128MB, depending on your computer's specific
configuration. While some computers allow you to adjust how much memory the graphics processor
uses, there is no way of preventing this from happening, short of installing a graphics card with
dedicated memory for the graphics processor.
DDR modules, like their SDRAM predecessors, are called DIMMs. They use motherboard system
designs similar to those used by SDRAM; however, DDR is not backward compatible with SDRAM-
designed motherboards. DDR memory supports both ECC (error correction code, typically used in
servers) and non-parity (used on desktops/laptops.)
If your system or motherboard requires DDR, you can purchase the upgrades you need through
Crucial's Memory Selector™. For more information on DDR, see the DDR Shopping Guide.
Rambus DRAM
Rambus memory (RDRAM®) is a revolutionary step from SDRAM. It's a memory design with
changes to the bus structure and how signals are carried. Rambus memory sends less information
on the data bus (which is 16 or 18 bits wide as opposed to the standard 64 or 72 bits) but it sends
data more frequently. It also reads data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal, as
DDR does. As a result, Rambus memory is able to achieve effective data transfer speeds of 800MHz
and higher.
Another difference with Rambus memory is that all memory slots in the motherboard must be
populated. Even if all the memory is contained in a single module, the "unused" sockets must be
populated with a PCB, known as a continuity module, to complete the circuit.
Rambus DRAM modules are known as RIMM™ modules (Rambus inline memory modules).
Rambus memory supports both ECC and non-ECC applications.
Production Challenges
One of the challenges Rambus memory faces is that it is expensive to produce compared to SDRAM
and DDR. Rambus memory is proprietary technology of Rambus Inc. Manufacturers that want to
produce it are required to pay a royalty to Rambus Inc., whereas DDR designs are open
architecture. Other cost factors for Rambus memory include additional module manufacturing and
testing processes and a larger die size. Rambus die (chips) are much larger than SDRAM or DDR
Performance
Now for the million-dollar question: How do DDR and Rambus memory compare performance wise?
Sorry, I know you don't want to hear this — that depends. Both technologies have their own ardent
supporters and we have seen several different benchmarks to date that provide conflicting results.
On the surface, it seems simple: Data flow at 800MHz is faster than data flow at 266MHz, right?
Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. While Rambus modules may have the ability to transfer data
faster, it appears to have higher latency (the amount of time you have to wait until data flows) than
that of a DDR system. In other words, the first data item transferred in a Rambus transaction takes
longer to initiate than the first data item moved in a DDR system. This is due in part to how the
systems are constructed.
In a DDR or SDRAM system, each DIMM is connected, individually and in parallel, to the data bus.
So whether you have a single DIMM or multiple DIMMs, the amount of time it takes to initiate a data
transfer is effectively unchanged.
In a Rambus system, RIMM modules are connected to the bus in a series. The first data item
transferred must pass through each RIMM module before it reaches the bus. This makes for a much
longer distance for the signal to travel. The result is higher latency. That's not necessarily a problem
in an environment where data transactions involve lengthy streams of data, such as gaming. But it
can become an issue in environments where many small transactions are initiated regularly, such as
a server.
To further explain, here's an example that we can all relate to — driving your car to the store. You
can take the roundabout freeway and drive 20 miles at 70 MPH. Or, you can take a more direct route
and drive just 5 miles at 50 MPH. You might go faster on the freeway but you'll get to the store
(Memory Controller) faster on the straight-line route.
Bottom Line
Generally speaking, motherboards are built to support one type of memory. You cannot mix and
match more than one type of SDRAM, DDR, or Rambus memory on the same motherboard in any
system. They will not function and will not even fit in the same sockets. The right type of memory to
use is the one that your motherboard takes! And no matter what type of memory you use, more is
typically better. A memory upgrade is still one of the most cost-effective ways to improve system
performance.
Memory is produced in a very large facility called a fab, which contains many cleanroom
environments. Semiconductor memory chips are manufactured in cleanroom environments because
the circuitry is so small that even tiny bits of dust can damage it. Micron's Boise facility covers over
1.8 million square feet and has class 1 and class 10 cleanrooms. In a class 1 cleanroom, there is no
more than 1 particle of dust in a cubic foot of air. In comparison, a clean, modern hospital has about
10,000 dust particles per cubic foot of air. The air inside a cleanroom is filtered and recirculated
continuously, and employees wear special clothing such as dust-free gowns, caps, and masks to
help keep the air particle-free. This special clothing is commonly referred to as a bunny suit.
The first step from silicon to integrated circuit is the creation of a pure, single-crystal cylinder, or
wafers less than one-fortieth of an inch thick. Micron uses six- and twelve-inch wafers in its
fabrication processes. The circuit elements (transistors, resistors, and capacitors) are built in layers
Most chip designs are developed with the help of computer systems or computer-aided design
(CAD) systems. Circuits are developed, tested by simulation, and perfected on computer systems
before they are actually built. When the design is complete, glass photomasks are made�one
mask for each layer of the circuit. These glass photomasks are used in a process called
photolithography.
In the sterile cleanroom environment, the wafers are exposed to a multiple-step photolithography
process that is repeated once for each mask required by the circuit. Each mask defines different
parts of a transistor, capacitor, resistor, or connector composing the complete integrated circuit and
defines the circuitry pattern for each layer on which the device is fabricated.
An insulating layer of glass (called BPSG) is deposited and a contact mask is used to define the
contact points or windows of each of the circuit elements. After the contact windows are etched, the
entire wafer is covered with a thin layer of aluminum in a sputtering chamber.
The metal mask is used to define the aluminum layer leaving a fine network of thin metal
connections or wires.
The entire wafer is then covered with an insulating layer of glass and silicon nitride to protect it from
contamination during assembly. This protective coating is called the passivation layer. The final
mask and passivation etch removes the passivation material from the terminals, called bonding
pads. The bonding pads are used to electrically connect the die to the metal pins of the plastic or
ceramic package.
Every integrated circuit is tested. Functional and nonfunctional chips are identified and mapped into
a computer data file. A diamond saw then cuts the wafer into individual chips. Nonfunctional chips
are discarded and the rest are sent on to be assembled into plastic packages. These individual
chips are referred to as die.
During Encapsulation, lead frames are placed onto mold plates and heated. Molten plastic material
is pressed around each die to form its individual package. The mold is opened, and the lead frames
are pressed out and cleaned.
Electroplating is the next process where the encapsulated lead frames are "charged" while
submerged in a tin/lead solution. The tin/lead ions are attracted to the electrically charged leads to
create a uniform plated deposit which increases the conductivity and provides a clean consistent
surface for surface mount applications.
In Trim & Form, lead frames are loaded into trim-and-form machines where the leads are formed
step by step until finally the chips are severed from the frames. Individual chips are then put into
antistatic tubes for handling and transportation to the test area for final testing.
Each memory chip is tested at various stages in the manufacturing process to see how fast it can
store or retrieve information, including the high temperature burn-in in Micron's proprietary AMBYX®
ovens which test the circuitry of each chip, ensuring the quality and reliability. This monitored
burn-in provides feedback throughout the process, allowing identification and correction of
manufacturing problems.
The completed packages are inspected, sealed, and marked with a special ink to indicate product
type, date, package code, and speed.
Micron engineers design memory modules using Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs. Module
sizes will vary depending on the chip's configuration (SIMM, DIMM, Memory type, etc.). Chip
configuration also determines the electrical characteristics of the PCB.
The PCB is a critical part of the memory module. It enables your computer to access the memory.
For this reason, Micron engineers place significant effort on correctly designing the PCB. Each
design is tested by simulation and undergoes multiple design improvements prior to release for
production.
When the module design is perfected and the PCBs produced, memory
module assembly begins! Assembly entails an intricate soldering procedure that attaches memory
chips to the PCB.
Throughout the entire module assembly process, Micron takes great precaution to eliminate
electrostatic discharge (ESD), or what most of us refer to as static electricity. ESD damage is a
leading cause of device failure. That same "shock" you feel after shuffling your feet across carpet
then touching something can completely destroy a memory chip. In fact, a person passing within 12
inches of an unprotected chip can cause damage. Micron team members wear protective clothing
and use anti-static equipment during the assembly process. This ensures that any electrical
(SPC) data is gathered. These checks provide immediate feedback to ensure continuous
improvement.
PCBs contain several marks called fiducials. These are not part of the circuit
but are locators for placing chips. Vision systems in High Speed Automated
Pick and Place machines scan the fiducials to dimensionally check and locate
where to place chips on PCBs. Pick and Place machines are programmed to
know which chips are placed where. The machine picks a chip from the
feeder and places it in its appropriate location on the board. The same
process occurs for all remaining chips and for any other components on the
module. Of all the steps your memory module goes through, this is the
fastest. All the chips are placed on a PCB in just a few seconds!
Next, the assembled chips and boards pass through an oven. The heat melts,
or reflows, the solder into a liquid stage. When the solder cools, it solidifies, leaving a permanent
bond between chips and board. The surface tension of the molten solder prevents the chips from
misaligning during this process.
Once the chips are attached, the array is separated into individual modules. Micron team members
visually inspect each module. Many modules also undergo additional inspections using automated
X-Ray equipment to ensure no unreliable solder joints exist. All Micron Memory Modules meet
IPC-A-610 acceptance criteria - the industry standard recognized worldwide.
Micron then tests and tags the modules. We use custom equipment to automatically test
performance and functionality. This eliminates any possibility of an operator mistakenly placing a
failed module in a passing location. Certain modules are programmed with an identifying "Dog Tag"
that your PC will recognize and read.
Finally, the modules are sampled through one last Quality Inspection. They are placed into ESD
safe plastic trays or bags and are ready for delivery. Finished product is shipped to the customer.
Micron is the memory supplier to the top PC manufacturers in the world.
Final Product
Who else manufacturers memory?
There are only a handful of "true" manufacturers of memory - that is,
companies who fabricate the memory chips. These manufacturers sell
their chips mostly to major computer manufacturers for use in their
systems. In the memory upgrade market, however, there are a number
of vendors who claim to be memory manufacturers, but the truth is, these vendors buy the memory
chips from a manufacturer like Micron, then, merely assemble the modules. Other vendors in the
upgrade market simply buy the modules from a manufacturer, repackage them, and sell them under
their brand name.
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