How to choose RAM - criteria and characteristics. RAM

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 great 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 RAM computer!

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

1. How much RAM does a modern computer need to comfortable work all resource-intensive applications, for example: modern games at maximum settings, video and sound processing programs, etc. What should be a powerful modern computer?
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 a shortage of RAM?
5. Does the computer benefit from an excess of RAM?
6. Do you need to completely disable the paging file if you have a large amount of physical RAM, for example 16 -32 GB?
7. How much better is dual-channel RAM than single-channel. Which is better to buy, one stick of 8GB memory or two sticks of 4GB?
8. How to choose the right memory 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 the latency (timings) of RAM? 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 want to buy DDR2 RAM, then think a few times, because DDR2 memory is expensive, maybe you should replace the motherboard, processor and change the RAM to DDR3.
14. How to choose a manufacturer of RAM and is all RAM made in China?
15. Do I need to overclock the RAM and how much will the performance of the RAM increase with 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 the ECC RAM marking mean?

How to choose RAM

Friends, in the last article we considered the issue of choice and I thought about what article to write next. It seems to be logical after the processor to choose a motherboard for it, but I usually do it differently. After choosing a processor, I choose a memory and a video card, I don’t know why, it’s probably just easier and I can immediately figure out how much to expect, since choosing a motherboard is the most hard part selection of computer configuration. In view of this, I decided not to deviate from the tradition I have chosen 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 choice of RAM will be considered not only for new, but also for older PCs.

Like choosing a processor, choosing RAM is not at all a difficult task, probably even easier. But, as elsewhere, there are nuances. Often the choice of RAM comes down to its current price and the amount you are willing to spend. V Lately price trends for RAM modules are rather ambiguous. A few 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 an incredible reduction in the price of it.

A 4 gigabyte (GB) memory stick could be purchased for as little as $25 or less. As a result, solely for marketing purposes (for greater attractiveness and increase in sales of computers), this very memory began to be “shove” into new computers in huge volumes. Yes, the cheapest system unit, costing about $ 200-250 necessarily had 4 GB of memory, and an average one for $ 300-350 - all 8 GB. The sellers in the stores put a lot of emphasis on this, while silently saying that such a memory capacity will never be realized (fully used) by this PC, since the rest of the “stuffing”, such as the processor and video card, left much to be desired. This, in fact, was a kind of deception of buyers or, to put it beautifully, a marketing ploy ...

Unfortunately, the times have passed when it was possible to stock up on RAM “for free” at the very least, and now the price for it has increased significantly. It seems that we have again been "hooked" on the needle of technological progress ... But do you really need a large amount of RAM?

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. technical condition. Probably, not a single year has passed since I built my first full-fledged PC in 1997 that I have not treated myself to the purchase of a new video card, processor or memory.

In those old (by the standards of computers) times, there was a certain division on the use of operating system components by computers. Games only needed a powerful graphics card, some RAM, and the processor didn't really matter, since all the calculations were done by the graphics 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, on the other hand, have “learned” to make full use of the previously “idle” powerful components of modern computers, such as a processor and RAM.

When it comes to using the PC as a gaming and entertainment platform, then, until recently, I did not come across games that could even load at least 3 GB of memory at 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 other applications such as skype, antivirus, etc.

Note: Please note that it was not about 4 GB, but about 3. The fact is that 32-bit Windows operating systems (OS) cannot use more than 3 GB of RAM and therefore they simply “do not see the “surplus” ... In fairness, it should be noted that for 32-bit OS built on the Linux kernel, there are no such hard limits. So, friends, there is no point in putting 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 time of the total reduction in the cost 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 rather powerful motherboard, due to some misunderstanding) there were slots for the already almost obsolete DDR2 memory and I was afraid that a little more and it might completely disappear or wildly rise in price, and then such a “freebie” ... After that, I switched to a 64-bit operating system, because otherwise this acquisition would not look so reasonable). It should also be taken 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-range PC, then 4 GB of RAM will be enough for you., since you can comfortably play modern games only at low or medium settings, which do not require large amounts of memory. In such conditions, installing, say, 8 GB of RAM is money thrown away. But if your PC is powerful enough and is a gaming PC, then I would still recommend installing 8 GB, as there is some tendency for modern games to gradually increase the consumption of RAM.

So, for example, the recently released game Call of Duty: Ghosts simply refused to start if it detected that you had less than 6 GB of RAM installed. Again, to be fair, it should be noted that craftsmen made a fix that allows you to bypass this limitation at startup 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 it is already fully justified by memory addressing technology and significantly improves performance.

How fast should a computer be?

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 gain is achieved by processing more information in one pass. In this case, the increase will be very significant - up to 2 times. Under these conditions, using an Intel processor (with a longer pipeline) will give you the best possible performance for such operations. But, as you know, in games, data is transferred in small portions (since it is impossible to predict the next step of the user), therefore, even in those games where there are 64-bit versions of the game engine to run, 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 areas such as video editing, 3D modeling, design, specialists in these areas know exactly what kind of hardware and how much memory they need. Usually it is from 16 GB and more. And if, say, in 3D modeling there is no streaming data processing, then here simply the volume and quality of models can be so high that a bunch of RAM is “stupidly” needed to place this model.

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

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

Well, for example, I will give a situation from my real life. When I was training in networking and system administration, I often had to emulate a large number of simultaneously running operating systems and network equipment. Such bundles as 5-10 operating systems running in VirtualBox (or VMware) + the same number of emulated network devices in GNS can eat decently RAM. And it’s good if, in addition to the powerful “process” that supports modern technologies virtualization, there will be 8-16 GB of "RAM", otherwise the brakes are provided ...

Why can't you turn off the swap 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 the hard disk (the so-called paging file). By the way, God forbid you turn it off. The operation of the system is very deeply tied to the swap file, and disabling it will more problems than good. As a result, not only the work of the processor is slowed down, but also the hard drive.

There is only one conclusion - there should be enough memory, if it is not enough, the computer starts to slow down terribly, but its excessive excess does not give any performance increase.

What is RAM

What kind of memory does not exist ...

A board with memory chips is usually called a memory module (or "bar"). 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 further in this article about what this means. 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 failed on the bar 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.

To date, the most modern is DDR3 memory., which replaced the older DDR2, and it, in turn, is even older - DDR. A new, more modern DDR4 memory has already been developed, but it has not yet reached the masses. We will not go further.

When building a new PC, you should choose only the latest memory standard. On the this moment it's DDR3.

Sometimes replacing the motherboard and acquiring 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 much cheaper than the older DDR2, for which greedy manufacturers and sellers “beat” (keep) a high price, since there is not enough of it left and for those who want to upgrade a PC there is simply no other choice but to agree to such draconian conditions. In this case, it is worth considering, or maybe add a little and buy more promising components? And if you still sell the old one, you can generally get a plus, if you're lucky, of course)

laptop memory

Notebooks 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. For desktop computers (desktops), memory types are used today: 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 work at a lower frequency, and the money that you overpaid will go down the drain.

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

Today, the most common memory is DDR3 PC3-10600 (1333 MHz). It will run at its native frequency on any computer. In principle, the speed of the computer is not strongly limited by the memory frequency. For example, in games this increase will be absolutely indistinguishable, and in some other applications it will be more noticeable. But the difference in price, for example, in comparison with DDR3 PC3-12800 memory (1600 MHz) 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 a faster memory.

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

The frequency of the RAM does not have to match, the motherboard will set the frequency for all the brackets according to the slowest module, but very often a computer with brackets 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 was accessed to the moment the necessary data was issued to it. Accordingly, the lower the timings, the better. There are dozens of different delays in reading, writing, copying, and various combinations of these and other operations. But there are only a few main ones that you can 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.

The delays depend on the quality of the memory chips. Accordingly - higher quality - lower timings - higher price. However, it is worth noting that timings affect performance much less than memory frequency. Therefore, I rarely attach importance to this, only if the price is approximately the same, you can take memory with lower timings. Usually, modules with ultra-low timings are positioned as top-end, come with heatsinks (which we will talk about later), in beautiful packaging and are much more expensive.

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

DDR - obsolete (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?

Timings also do not have to match. The motherboard will automatically set the timings for all the brackets according to the slowest module. There shouldn't be any problems.

Memory 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 writing is parallelized and written simultaneously to several modules.

Here, friends, the use of dual-channel mode significantly increases the speed of the memory. In reality, the speed of memory operation 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:

Motherboard must support dual channel RAM

Memory modules must be 2 or 4

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 bars be as identical as possible: they have the same frequency, latency, and even be of the same manufacturer. Otherwise, no one can give any guarantees for the operation of the two-channel mode. Therefore, if you want your memory to work as fast as possible, it is highly advisable to immediately purchase 2 identical memory sticks, because after a year or two you will not find exactly 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 the most similar memory module 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 turn in the old memory as used and buy 2 new identical modules of a larger capacity.

Of course, if your old computer is very weak, then there may not be much gain from 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 its possible conflict with old modules and the complete inoperability of the computer. Try to arrange a return with the seller in advance or bring a system manager to him and let him try to find a suitable module.

RAM controller

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

In paired (Ganged) mode, memory modules work the same way as in old motherboards, but in unpaired (Unganged) each processor memory controller (there are 2 in modern processors) can work separately with each bar. This mode can be set in the computer's BIOS, but is usually selected automatically by the processor. If the bars are identical, then Ganged (but not necessarily), if they are different, then only Unganged. In any case, the memory will work 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 mode of operation of RAM has only one drawback - 2 memory sticks are somewhat more expensive than one of the same volume. Therefore, many stores and private assemblers save and set the bar. As a result, we have a modern computer that does not work at full capacity.

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

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

Some desktop memory modules 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 in desktop PCs this technology is not critical and, in most cases, does not work at all. It's all the same marketing ploy.

Memory connectors

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

Which should line up with the slot on the memory module board. This is just done so as not to accidentally confuse and install the bar in the wrong slot and, as a result, not disable both the memory and, possibly, the motherboard. When buying 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 overlays of aluminum plates, sometimes painted in copper or other colors, on both sides of the board. These overlays 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 during normal operation heat up slightly and do not require additional cooling. Gaskets between chips and heatsinks don't transfer heat as well as thermal paste between a CPU and a cooler. In addition, in the free space between the board and the heatsinks there is air layer, which interferes with natural cooling and eventually becomes clogged with dust, which is difficult to clean out of there. This design provides for active cooling with an additional fan or good airflow inside the case. In addition, such modules can often cost more.

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

Answer: enthusiasts who are always short of everything, who want to overclock everything, overtake everyone, etc. In addition - it's just beautiful) Yes, friends, if you consider yourself to be in this group of users, then such a memory is for you! Because such a cooling system will be effective only with sufficiently high heating as a result of overclocking with an increase in voltage and mandatory additional airflow. Remember - conventional memory operating in normal mode does not need heatsinks.

Example correct use memory with heatsinks in a powerful system

Overclocking RAM

Overclocking is a slang word in the computer lexicon that implies manual installation more aggressive operating parameters of electronic components, such as processors, memory and video cards, than provided by the manufacturer. As a rule, such parameters are the frequency (in processors there is also a multiplier). With particularly high overclocking, for relatively stable operation of these components, the voltage is also increased. As a result, higher heating of the elements occurs, requiring improved cooling. The so-called overclocking itself is possible thanks to a certain margin provided by the manufacturer so that the product works stably, and not at the limit of its capabilities, or especially for advanced users) In any case, this event makes the entire system less stable and reduces the life of overclocked components . If you still decide to experiment, then first study all aspects well 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 heatsinks and high performance. I recommend avoiding cheap Chinese brands: A-Data, Apacer, Elixir, Elpida, NCP, PQI and other little-known manufacturers.

Memory modules that are not made in China deserve special mention. Currently, there are not many of them, for example, modules that are labeled as Hynix Original and Samsung Original are made 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).

In fairness, it should be noted that even if you have purchased the memory of a well-known and proven brand, this, unfortunately, does not mean that you will not come across defects or modules damaged during transportation. Of course, in the products of top brands in individual packaging, there will be less defects (damage) than in 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 in use. Today it is DDR3. Decide on the volume you need. Briefly summarizing this article, I will give general recommendations by 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 straps (one-sided or two-sided), with the same frequency and latency. Perfect option sell the old memory as used and install a new one in the right amount.

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

Do right choice friends are with us, and no dust for you, no breakdown)

In order for a home computer to work really fast and do its job well, you should be as careful as possible when choosing its components. RAM, plays very important role in any computer, so the question is how to choose RAM? It is a very topical issue for many people. Let's try to answer it as detailed and as clear as possible.

What is working memory?

Before choosing the right RAM for your computer, you need to have a clear idea of ​​​​what it is in general. RAM is a component of the computer, on which the speed of the entire system largely depends.. This component is used to store temporary information that is necessary for the correct operation of certain programs or the whole.

If we speak in a simpler and more understandable language, then we can say as follows. RAM is an intermediate link between the processor and hard drive. As you know, the hard drive stores all the necessary information in itself, the processor acts as the brain of the computer, that is, it is constantly engaged in the processing of certain data. But RAM acts in this system as a kind of connecting link that works with temporary data that should get into the processor after all processing.

Probably, many may have a question, why use this link at all? Why not immediately transfer the data to the processor? The fact is that thanks to this design, you can significantly increase the speed of your computer, since the RAM usually works much faster than the hard drive.

What are the types of RAM (rapidly recording device).

Once upon a time, when they were still not as fast as they are now, all RAM was divided into two types of SIMM and DIMM. Much has changed since then, and when it comes to types of RAM, you can forget about them, since they have not been produced anywhere for a long time and have not been used anywhere for a long time.

At the moment, there are different types of RAM. In 2001, DDR type RAM was invented, at one time it was a very good component for any computer, however, nowadays it is almost nowhere to be found, so the information associated with it is also not relevant. But it can be noted that the main difference between this memory and DDR2 and DDR3, which are now much more common, is the number of contacts on the board itself, in DDR there are very few of them, to be more precise, 184 pieces.

A much more progressive invention was DDR2, which was made in 2003 and which significantly influenced the speed of many computers. This type RAM already contained 240 contacts. The increase in the number of contacts had a very positive effect on the speed of data transfer to the processor, which also affected the overall performance of the entire system.

The latest invention that went on mass sale in this direction is DDR3, which has the same 240 pins, and DDR2, however, has a number of advantages. One of the innovations that was used in this type of RAM is the electrical incompatibility of the pins. Such a move made it possible to significantly increase the maximum frequency, which amounted to 2400 MHz (for DDR2 1066 MHz), as well as increase the bandwidth and make the component more economical in terms of energy consumption.

As most tests show, DDR3 is faster than DDR2 by about 15-20%.

The amount of RAM.

The amount of RAM is one of the main parameters this device. It should be noted that development in this direction is very fast and rapid. If in the last century the amount of a particular RAM was most often measured either in kilobytes or in megabytes, now it is measured in gigabytes.

The figure itself, indicating the amount of RAM, indicates how much temporary data can fit in the device. When choosing this option, do not forget that the Windows operating system itself consumes at least 1GB of RAM, therefore, for normal operation there should be more computers. Consider the most common options for our time:

1. 2 GB - this amount of RAM can be suitable for budget computers. If you do not use anything other than the Internet and programs for viewing photos and movies, this amount of memory should be enough for you. This amount of memory may also be enough for older games that came out before about 2005.
2. 4 GB - this amount of RAM is already enough for many modern games, if you are more demanding on computer power than in the previous case, then this is the choice for you.
3. 8 GB is already very serious, with so much RAM, almost all modern games can be run at maximum quality settings.
4. 16 GB is the dream of any gamer, with so much RAM, even the most demanding cutting-edge games will “fly” at the highest video quality settings and everything else.
5. 32 GB - so much memory may not even be needed, at the current level of development of computer technology, if you are not engaged, for example, in the most complex mathematical computational experiments that require huge computing capabilities.

It is important to remember one very significant point. In the event that you have a 32-bit operating system, then it will not be able to accept more than 3 GB of RAM. If you have more than 3 GB of RAM, then you must install a 64-bit operating system.

RAM frequency.

Very often, many people pay attention primarily to the amount of RAM. This is of course quite reasonable, since the volume is the most important parameter such a device, however, the frequency of RAM is no less important, because it determines the speed at which data will be exchanged with the processor. Therefore, it should be approached with no less care.

For proper operation of the entire system, the frequency of the RAM should not be higher than the frequency of the motherboard. In the event that this rule is not observed, it can lead to various kinds of failures in the system, which is very undesirable.

Many modern processors operate at a frequency of 1600 MHz, so it is better to buy RAM with the same frequency, or a slight deviation from it, but preferably not higher.

There is also a RAM with a frequency ranging from 2133 MHz and even higher, such components are quite expensive, much more expensive than a regular RAM. In order for them to work properly, you need to buy special motherboards, which also cost a lot. big money so they are not very popular yet. In addition, one motherboard you can’t do it, you should also buy a processor that has an unlocked multiplier, and, as you know, it also costs a lot.

In addition to all this, using RAM cards with a frequency of 2133 MHz and higher can lead to very strong heating of the entire computer. Therefore, while buying such a technique does not make much sense, perhaps after a while it will be popular, but so far it can only give + 20-30% to productivity, which is incommensurable with the amount of money spent on it. Only the most crazy gamers will be able to decide on this.

RAM timing

Usually, RAM timings are not mentioned much, this parameter is not so well known as the amount of memory and frequency. However, it is very important and therefore, when choosing a RAM, you should definitely take a closer look at it.

What is RAM timing? Timing is the time delay of the signal, which is measured in cycles, and can have a value from 2 to 13. This parameter primarily affects the throughput of the processor-memory channel, it also slightly affects the system performance, but this effect is not very significant. and strongly.

The lower the timing of the RAM, the faster it will work. Therefore, if you are building a computer for gaming, you should pay attention to this important parameter.

RAM voltage

Voltage, like other characteristics of RAM, also have an impact on the operation of the entire computer. The voltage parameter primarily tells you how much power the component needs to receive in order to work normally. Also, this parameter affects the thermal emission of the device. In most cases, for DDR3, this parameter is 1.5 V. However, recently a considerable number of memory models have appeared that can have a higher parameter than 1.5 V. Of course, increased power requirements also affect thermal dissipation, therefore, RAM chipsets with a voltage parameter of more than 1.5 V usually have additional heatsink plates. This approach reduces heat dissipation.

The BIOS has the ability to control the supply voltage, however, it is best not to perform such operations, as this may adversely affect the RAM, to the point that it may fail.

The main manufacturers of RAM at the moment

Of course, it is impossible to choose a good RAM without paying attention to its manufacturers. At the moment, there are a considerable number of different manufacturers of RAM on the market, many of which quite often release more and more new models of these computer components.

If you are looking for high-quality RAM modules that will work well and for a long time, then you can pay attention to the following manufacturers:

• Corsair;
• Transcend;
• Kingston;
• Samsung.

These companies have proven themselves very well in this market and have been producing a really high-quality product for many years. Also very great of these manufacturers is that they always indicate frequency parameters that are fully consistent with reality, which is not always done by many other companies, trying to embellish reality and thereby attract big buyers. That is, if you bought samsung RAM, and it indicates a volume of 8 GB, it will be real 8 GB and nothing else, the same applies to kingston RAM and RAM from other manufacturers in the list above.

Therefore, if you are planning to buy RAM in the near future, it is best to stop at one of these 5 manufacturers. For example, kingston hyperx ram can be very good choice if you wish to use your computer for gaming. In addition, a very important point in this case may be the correct reading of the RAM marking, as this allows you to find out all the most important characteristics of the RAM.

Suppose there is such a KHX 2000C9AD3T1K2/4GX RAM chipset, what can it tell us about? Let's take a closer look:

1. KHX is the model and manufacturer of this RAM.
2. 2000 - frequency of work.
3. 9 - timing parameter.
4. D3 – type of module used.
5. 4G is the amount of memory.

As you can see, everything is not so complicated, so when buying a chipset, it is very important to pay attention to the markings in order to make the right choice.

There is another important point, some people prefer to put more than one RAM chipset on the computer, thereby achieving greater system performance. This is a fairly common practice among many gamers. In the event that you plan to supply two such chipsets, you need to take into account that they must be from the same manufacturer and from the same batch, and also have identical clock frequency, workload and timing parameters. Only when both components meet all of these parameters will RAM compatibility be perfect.

Do not think that other manufacturers of RAM that are not listed above are bad manufacturers. This is far from the case, for example, hynix RAM can be a very good solution in many cases, like amd RAM, which very often has very good parameters and a good price. However, quite often it happens that Kingston RAM is the more reasonable and rational choice in many cases, both in terms of its performance and its cost.

Is there a difference between PC RAM and laptop RAM?

Everything that applies to RAM on a PC, in the same way, applies to RAM for a laptop. The only difference that exists between PC RAM and laptop RAM is size, usually laptop RAM is shorter than PC RAM.

How to choose the right RAM?

Based on everything that is described above, then you can make the right choice of RAM. In addition, you should, of course, take into account your own needs, first of all, you must determine for yourself for what purposes you generally need a computer. If, for example, you are not going to use it to play the latest games at maximum quality settings, in this case you can even try to save on the amount of RAM.

However, it very often happens that a person initially did not want to use a computer for games, but then such a need arose before him, and RAM was already purchased. In order to avoid such problems and not have to pay twice, it is still better to initially take a sufficient amount of RAM, moreover, recently its prices have dropped significantly. In addition, it is very important to pay attention to clock frequency RAM, which should be no higher than the frequency of the motherboard, as well as some other parameters, such as timing. It is simply necessary to do this if you want to achieve really fast and quality work this component, and also want the installation of RAM to be successful.

Of course, the manufacturer is also of great importance. A good and well-known brand, such as hyperx RAM, is always a very good solution, because usually real quality is assigned to such a brand, and you will be completely confident in the reliability of the RAM you purchase.

How to choose RAM for your PC? was last modified: April 29th, 2016 by MaximB

Instruction

For the correct selection of 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. In the event that you decide to follow this advice, then purchase boards with the same parameters. This will ensure 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 the second one exactly the same, no less.

It is believed that a 1000 MHz processor requires a RAM card of at least 512 MB. Calculate the required volume by 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 choosing RAM for your computer, you should know how different types of memory differ - DDR, DDR II and DDR III. 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 won't install.

Random access memory (RAM) is the work area for the activities of the central processing unit (CPU). It stores data and programs that are currently running on the computer. OP is a temporary data storage and at the time of rebooting or turning off the PC, it is completely “empty”.

Instruction

Dynamic Random Access Memory, or DRAM, is the technology used to run RAM in modern computers.

OP type. There are several types of memory and before choosing the right one, it is important to determine if it is supported by your PC motherboard. And here is the list of types:
DDR is characterized by double data rate. Now this type of OP is morally and physically and almost never used. The DDR module has 184V and a standard supply voltage of 2.5V;
DDR2 is the most widely used today. Allows sampling of 4 bits per clock, while DDR is only 2 bits. It has 120 contacts on each side. The supply voltage is 1.8 V.
DDR3 allows sampling already 8 bits per clock. It also has 240 contacts, like DDR2, and its standard voltage is only 1.5 V. In addition, DDR3 has reduced power consumption by 40% compared to DDR2 memory. Therefore, such memory is practically irreplaceable for netbooks.

Now let's talk about bandwidth. The more tire OP this indicator, the more

RAM

Next, we will dwell in more detail on the next important characteristic of RAM - its volume. First, it should be noted that it most directly affects the number of programs, processes and applications running at a time and their smooth operation. To date, the most popular modules are strips with a volume of: 4 GB and 8 GB ( we are talking about the DDR3 standard).

Based on which operating system is installed, as well as for what purposes the computer is used, you should correctly select and select the amount of RAM. For the most part, if the computer is used to access the World Wide Web and to work with various applications, while Windows XP is installed, then 2 GB is enough.

For those who like to “run in” a recently released game and people working with graphics, you should set at least 4 GB. And in the event that you plan to install windows 7, then you will need even more.

The easiest way to find out how much memory your system needs is to launch Task Manager (by pressing ctrl+alt+del on your keyboard) and launch the resource-consuming program or application itself. After that, it is necessary to analyze the information in the "Memory Allocation" - "Peak" group.

Thus, we can determine the maximum allocated volume and find out to what volume it needs to be increased so that our highest indicator fits in RAM. This will give you maximum system performance. There will be no need to increase further.

Choice of RAM

Now let's move on to the question of choosing the RAM that is most suitable specifically for you. From the very beginning, you should determine exactly the type of RAM that your computer motherboard supports. For modules different types there are different connectors respectively. Therefore, in order to avoid damage to the motherboard or the modules themselves, the modules themselves have different sizes.

About optimal volumes RAM mentioned above. When choosing RAM, you should focus on its bandwidth. For the performance of the system, the most optimal option is when throughput module matches the same characteristic of the processor.

That is, if the computer has a processor with a 1333 MHz bus, the bandwidth of which is 10600 Mb / s, then to ensure the most favorable conditions for performance, you can put 2 bars, the bandwidth of which is 5300 Mb / s, and which in total will give us 10600 Mb/s

However, it should be remembered that for this mode of operation, the RAM modules must be identical both in volume and in frequency. In addition, they must be made by the same manufacturer. Here is a short list of well-established manufacturers: Samsung, OCZ, Transcend, Kingston, Corsair, Patriot.

In the end, it is worth summarizing the main points:

• Based on the definition: random access memory or RAM is component computer, necessary for temporary storage of data, which in turn is necessary for the processor to work.
• After completion of any operations (closing programs, applications), all data associated with them are deleted from the chip. And when you start new tasks, the data that the processor needs at a given time is loaded into it from the hard disk.
• The speed of access to data located in RAM is several hundred times greater than the speed of access to information located on the hard disk. This allows the processor to use the desired information, gaining instant access to it.
• To date, the most common 2 types: DDR3 (with a frequency of 800 to 2400 MHz) and DDR4 (from 2133 to 4266 MHz). The higher the frequency, the faster the system runs.

If you have any difficulties with the choice of RAM, if you cannot determine what type of RAM your motherboard supports and what amount will be more suitable for your needs, then you can always contact the service site. We are computer help at home in Moscow and Moscow region. Our experts will help with the selection, replacement and installation in a computer or laptop.

The computer is universal device on which you can perform a huge number of tasks. Some users use its features for study, others prefer to watch movies on PC, and others require powerful "machines" for games and professional activities. In each of these cases, you need to know how to choose the right RAM for a personal computer or laptop.

The performance and speed of the assembled system largely depends on this component. In this article, we will figure out which memory is better to buy depending on your needs and what you should pay attention to in the first place.

Budget and memory requirements

The memory on the market for a computer or laptop varies greatly in cost. A huge number of parameters affect the price of the trims, including additional features such as heatsinks or customizable RGB lighting. As for the requirements, they depend on whether you are building a new system or upgrading an existing one. For example, if you decide to add RAM to a computer or laptop, you will need to select brackets whose characteristics correspond to the parameters of the RAM installed in the PC. Experts often recommend even choosing the same manufacturer, but it is not necessary to follow this rule.

Criteria for choosing RAM

When planning to add memory to an existing PC or wanting to purchase RAM for a new computer, you will definitely come across a number of important criteria. Among them, the most important are frequency and timings. Also, the system performance is affected by the volume and number of slats included in the kit. Additional RAM capabilities usually do not bring practical benefits to the average user. So the backlight will be appropriate mainly for gaming PCs, where a similar feature is implemented in other components. Heatsinks, which were also mentioned above, may be required only for high-frequency RAM and compact builds, where there may be problems with high-quality ventilation corps.

Memory types

Usually it is necessary to select the memory for the motherboard. There are 4 of them in total: outdated DDR and DDR2, which still retains the popularity of DDR3, capable of operating at frequencies up to 2400 MHz, as well as the most modern DDR4, the theoretical maximum of which is 4266 MHz.

Despite the fact that some stores still have stocks of DDR2 strips, it is almost impossible to find a motherboard for this type of RAM on sale. Only used versions of such boards are presented on the market, and new devices have not been produced by manufacturers for a long time.

For the remaining two types of motherboards are offered in a wide range. But for a gaming computer, it is better to choose DDR4 RAM, because the new Ryzen processors from AMD and Coffee Lake from Intel, which can fully unlock the potential of modern projects, no longer support DDR3.

However, you will not be able to install the wrong RAM into your computer, because they are incompatible with each other due to the different number and arrangement of contacts. For this reason, a board with slots for DDR4 brackets does not support DDR3, and vice versa.

The exceptions are motherboards, where it is possible to install both DDR3 and DDR4 memory at the same time. However, such solutions are rare and there is no point in buying them, because both types of strips differ only slightly in price when DDR4 surpasses its predecessor by several times in terms of parameters.

When buying memory for an office computer, you can stop at the DDR3 type. If you are building a powerful gaming PC, then purchase DDR4 brackets to avoid frame drops.

Volume

Deciding how much memory to choose should be based on the tasks that will be performed on the computer. So office systems aimed at working with text and surfing the Internet, it is enough to equip 2-4 GB. Volume from 4 to 8 GB must be installed already in multimedia and basic computers for games. But powerful gaming machines should be equipped with 16-32 GB of RAM. This amount of RAM is now enough for any modern project.

If you plan to take a larger amount of RAM for your computer, then this will be justified in two cases: a reserve for the future or specialized tasks. It is likely that in 2-3 years there will be games that will require 24 or more RAM to run stably at high graphics settings. If during this or a longer period you do not update the PC, then you can immediately take the appropriate strips. Also, 32 or more gigabytes of RAM will be required for the operation of professional programs.

You also need to take into account the bit depth and version of the system that is installed on your computer. So 32-bit Windows will not see more than 4 GB of RAM, and if we are talking about Windows 7 Starter, then it can only work with 2 gigabytes. At the same time, 64-bit operating systems use about twice as much RAM for their needs, which also needs to be taken into account when assembling the system.

The maximum version of Windows 7 can run with 192 gigabytes of RAM, and professional Windows versions 8 and 10 already support up to 512 GB. You can find out the exact information about the amount of RAM that can be installed in your system on the official Microsoft website.

If you install more memory into the computer than the operating system installed on it supports, then the “extra” amount will simply not be used.

What frequency to choose

As in the case of processors or graphics adapters, the frequency of RAM determines its performance. The higher this figure, the better performance the PC will show. However, you should not immediately run after the most advanced RAM that is only in the store. Before buying, you need to make sure that the selected option is supported by the motherboard and processor.

Of course, if you get better memory performance than what your hardware can reveal, then there will be nothing wrong with that. When you install such strips in your computer, they will simply start working at the maximum frequency supported by the system. But the disadvantage in this case will be higher costs, because good RAM at 3000 MHz will cost more than its counterpart from the same series at 2400 MHz.

Again, look for bars whose frequency matches maximum values supported by your computer is also not worth it. For office tasks, simple models at 1333 MHz (DDR3) or 2133 MHz (DDR4) will suffice. A balanced solution for a wide range of tasks will be RAM with a frequency of 2400 or 2666 MHz. But progressive gaming PCs and professional assemblies are already better equipped with RAM at 3000-3600 MHz or more.

Developed by Intel, XMP technology and its counterpart from AMD called AMP allow high-frequency RAM to work at its maximum capabilities even if the declared frequency is not supported by the processor. However, this technology must be implemented not only in the "stone" itself, but also in the motherboard, which automatically raises its price.

Timings

This parameter in the characteristics is indicated by a number-alphabetic (for example, CL15) or numerical (15-17-17-35) designation. Both in the first and in the second case we are talking about the delay of the RAM between the execution of various operations. If you want to choose the right RAM, then this parameter must be paid attention to Special attention, because at high timings and high frequency, you will get about the same performance as in low-frequency RAM with small delays.

For the DDR3 type, CL9 will be excellent timings, and in slower models that are popular on the market, this parameter is equal to CL11. Standard delays in DDR4 strips are CL15, and in cheaper memory modules you can see CL16 or CL17 timings. For this type of RAM, you can find smaller delays, but they are extremely rare on sale.

Note. The designation CL corresponds to the first number in the block of digits. So the above numerical designation of timings 15-17-17-35 can be written as CL15.

Important! Buying RAM with high timings is not recommended. According to reviews of such memory on the forums, you can understand that it has poor performance and significantly worsens the performance of the PC.

Operating modes

Many users forget that not only the choice of the amount of RAM is important, but also the number of slats from which it is typed. This is due to the fact that in modern computers RAM operates in multi-channel mode, which significantly improves system performance in professional applications, demanding games and other tasks. When installing a single 16 GB memory module into a computer or laptop, you will get worse performance than when choosing a pair of 8 GB sticks.

In total, 4 modes of RAM operation are allocated today:

1. Single channel.
2. Dual channel.
3. Three-channel.
4. Four-channel.

The first is considered obsolete and is only present in older PCs. Its essence lies in the fact that all data is written sequentially to each module, regardless of their total number. Modern computers can work in this mode if the user has installed only one bar of RAM.

Most issued for last years The motherboard is in dual channel mode. However, boards with support for three- and four-channel configurations are also on sale. However, the cost of such models is quite high, and the advantage of the indicated modes can not always be seen.

In this case, it should be borne in mind that the dual-channel mode works when using 2 or 4 memory sticks, the three-channel mode - 3 or 6, and the four-channel mode - 4 or 8. Another important nuance is the need to install modules with the same volume, frequency, timings and other parameters.

However, if the characteristics of the bars do not match, then this will not affect the performance (with the exception of voltage). At different frequencies the system will be able to operate at the frequency of the slowest module. A similar rule applies to timings. If the volumes do not match in the PC, the multi-channel mode will simply not work.

Separately, it is also worth noting the Flex option. It allows you to deviate from the specified rule and use memory strips of different sizes for dual-channel mode. In this case, the matching volumes will be used in dual-channel mode, and the remaining one will be used in single-channel mode. For example, when choosing modules for 8 and 4 GB, 4 GB from each bar will work in dual-channel mode, when the remaining 4 GB from the first module can operate in single-channel mode.

When buying, you need to take into account that one RAM module will cost a little cheaper than a set of brackets with similar parameters and the same total volume. However, the purchase of all the strips separately from each other will cost you a significantly larger amount. Therefore, if you have enough budget, it is better to immediately purchase a set of the required volume.

Important! Flex Mode is not supported by all motherboards, so you should read the instructions for your board before selecting RAM for expansion.

Form Factor

Also from the characteristics of memory modules for users, the form factor is important. It happens DIMM or SO-DIMM. The first are standard PC brackets, which, depending on the type, can contain from 168 to 240 pins. The SO-DIMM form factor refers to memory for laptops or small computers with Mini-ITX motherboards. On such strips there are from 72 to 200 contacts.

Supply voltage

This characteristic is especially important when choosing an additional memory bar for a PC or laptop. Despite the fact that most modern sticks operate at standard voltages (2.5V for DDR, 1.8V for DDR2, 1.5V for DDR3, 1.2V for DDR4), there are also solutions for enthusiasts with increased power and lower models. Install incompatible software on the PC given parameter strips are strictly prohibited, because unstable operation of RAM is possible (if the strip does not receive enough voltage) or even its failure (when a higher power is supplied to the RAM than it needs to work).

Before buying an additional RAM module for your computer, first of all, make sure that the power it requires matches the voltage of the RAM installed in your PC.

Deciphering the marking of RAM

For labeling bars of any type, standard designations are used, including the letters PC and a number indicating the transfer rate in Mb / s (bandwidth). But it is not very convenient for an ordinary user to navigate through them, because it is much more convenient to know the frequency and timings.

Usually the seller indicates all the information about the memory, but if you pick up a used RAM on an ad site, then an inexperienced user may well indicate something like a PC2-8500. This means that we have DDR2 RAM with a frequency of 1066 MHz and CL5 timings.

DDR3 sticks are designated PC3:

• 10600 - 1333 MHz;
• 12800 - 1600 MHz;
• 14400 - 1866 MHz;
• 16000 - 2000 MHz.

In the first case, the timings are CL9, and in the other three, CL11.

DDR4 strips are marked, respectively, PC4:

• 17000 - 2133 MHz;
• 19200 - 2400 MHz;
• 21300 - 2666 MHz;
• 24000 - 3000 MHz;
• 25600 - 3200 MHz.

For the first type of memory, the latency is usually CL15, and for the others - CL16.

What brand of RAM modules to buy

Speaking about which RAM to choose, it is also necessary to mention its manufacturers. This market has its own undisputed leaders with rich experience and factories equipped with the latest technology. Well-known brands guarantee that the trims you purchase can last for many years without breakdowns and failures. If you want to get RAM High Quality and have a sufficient amount of funds, then you should take a closer look at the following popular manufacturers of RAM modules:

1. Kingston.
2. Crucial.
3. Corsair.
4. G. Skill.
5. GOODRAM.

With a limited amount of money allocated to RAM, budget firms such as Team Group and AMD, which offer excellent value for money for their memory, are also excellent choices.

Try to avoid little-known and inexperienced RAM manufacturers, even if they offer a very "delicious" price. Also read the reviews of the memory kits you are interested in before purchasing them.

Conclusion

Modern PCs can perform a wide range of tasks, from processing photos and playing movies to running modern games and demanding graphics programs. And if simple tasks can be performed on simple hardware, then “heavy” applications require a powerful processor, a modern video card and, of course, fast RAM. You can choose for your computer thanks to our detailed recommendations. If you have any questions, we are always happy to answer them. Enjoy the shopping!