BuildOrBuy Group Network
[ www.buildorbuy.org | www.buildorbuy.net ]

Editorial Note: When this Observation was Written & Posted 03-06-2001 - All mentioned below was true back then. Much has changed by now. Take the Technology Timeline into consideration when Reviewing the following Information (1/6/03). Otherwise - Enjoy! GB

Page Redirection Removed.

By Joe Whinery

• Misconception 1: DDR memory is twice as fast as SDRAM. 
  

• Reality: While it is true that DDR memory is twice as fast as SDRAM, the overall memory system will improve the Performance of the system only about 10 – 20%.

• Misconception 2: DDR memory will work in an SDRAM socket. Or SDRAM memory will work in a DDR socket.
  

• Reality: Neither DDR nor SDRAM will work in the others socket. First, the alignment slots will not allow the module to fit in the wrong socket. Second, the operating voltage for the DDR is 2.75 V while the voltage for the SDRAM is 3.3 V.

• Misconception 3: Some motherboards support both DDR RAM and SDRAM. 
  

• Reality: While most CHIP SETS support both DDR and SDRAM, no motherboards are known to have both type of slots on the same board. This fact has now changed - 1/6/03.

• Misconception 4: VCRAM (Virtual Channel) is much faster than standard SDRAM. 
  

• Reality: VCM modules are faster than standard SDRAM, but as for speed, they fall between a CL2 and CL3 modules. VCM is still a nonstandard architecture.

PC Build Specifications:

1. If I were Building a System Today... Rev 8 (1/7/2004).
2. If I were Building a System Today... Rev 6 (12/10/02)

3. PC System Build Guidelines

4. RAM Chart

5. DDR-Memory.com - DDR RAM Memory and DDR SDRAM Products - (www.Crucial.com)

Copyright © 1992, 1994, 1995-97, 2000-2001, BuildOrBuy Group Network News! ®
Editor, Joe Whinery - Posted 03-06-2001; Revised 06/14/2004 - All Rights Reserved