Computer Memory

When purchasing a computer, you will be faced information on two different kinds of storage: RAM and disk storage.

There is often some confusion between RAM and a computer’s disk storage. It’s easy to see how this can occur, seeing as both are measured in gigabytes (GB). Understanding RAM can help a lot when it comes to choosing a computer to suit your needs.

So what is the difference? 
RAM stands for random-access memory, and it’s where your computer stores the data it is working on at that particular moment. The more RAM a computer has, the more tasks it can comfortably perform at once.

On the other hand, your computer’s disk space (SSD/HDD) is where your computer permanently stores your data, such as your personal documents, music, images, and applications.

How much do I need?
Should you require complex programs such as Adobe Photoshop to run alongside other intensive programs such as video editing software, then your RAM needs will be higher than for those regularly use less demanding computer programs.

Your computer will load programs from its disk storage to its memory while it is being used. Once you close the program, it will be deleted. If you have saved any changes while using the program, these will be saved in your computer’s disk storage.

Because memory is only concerned with programs while they are being used, it is much faster than disk storage. However, it can only store information while your computer is turned on and the program being used is still active. If you turn off your computer or close a program without saving your progress, your RAM will not remember the changes you have made.

Due to this, there is usually significantly less RAM available in a computer than there is disk space. You will usually find computers to have around 4GB of RAM, while offering approximately 500GB of disk storage. It’s possible to purchase computers with 8GB or even 12GB of RAM, but such high quantities are usually unnecessary for the average computer user. Also, RAM is much more expensive per gigabyte than disk storage, so a high amount of RAM will make your computer much pricier.

Different Ram Terminology
There are often different terms for the RAM each computer offers. Buyers can often be confused by terms such as DRAM and SDRAM, but they are merely more specific terms for the same thing. All modern RAM has the prefix DDR, which stands for double-data-rate, and simply refers to the speed of modern RAM types.

Finally, if you plan to purchase a computer for gaming, you may hear of a specific RAM type: GDDR. This RAM is designed to work with the computer’s graphics card. This is not available on all computers and is generally seen on more powerful models.

If you require any support on the memory you require for your machine please talk with one of our technical support team and they will assist you in finding the correct memory for your machine, 

There are various different types of memory which fall into different categories. You will need to make sure you select the correct matched memory for your system which you can do by searching for the make and model using the Offtek online configurator. The various memory types are:

Non-ECC DIMM

Non-ECC SODIMM

ECC Unbuffered DIMM

ECC Registered DIMM

ECC Fully Buffered DIMM

ECC Load Reduced

ECC Unbuffered SODIMM
 
*These variations are broken down further into different sub categories which include, Genre, Build (No of Pins), Capacity, Speed, Density and Dimensions which we are not listing on this page but can be found explained within the FAQ section on our website.

NON-ECC Memory – Who uses it:

 Non-ECC DIMM & SODIMM memory is the type that the vast majority of PCs and laptops use, this includes Personal Computers for home use and low end office Workstations. For the majority of systems being upgraded, you will never need to use ECC Memory.

What ECC Memory stands for:

ECC stands for Error-Correcting Code. ECC Unbuffered, ECC Registered, ECC Fully Buffered and ECC Load Reduced DIMMs are types of Ram Memory with a difference, Ram memory with ECC are able to identify and correct the most commonly occurring types of soft memory errors.
 

ECC Memory – Who uses it:

Most of us won’t have any need to come into contact with ECC RAM. It is used in Servers and high end Workstations by industries where they cannot allow data corruption to occur within their systems, e.g. the Government, Financial or Scientific sectors.

Potential errors caused by corrupted data are routinely located, checked and corrected by sending all data via the computer’s memory bank register. This task takes extra clock cycle(s) (compared with Non-ECC memory) for the ECC memory to perform, but it is worth it, as hugely damaging mistakes for the types of companies that use them are eradicated.

Can I mix ECC Unbuffered, ECC Registered, ECC Fully Buffered, ECC Load Reduced and Non-ECC DIMMs / SODIMM’s in my PC?

In short, no, you can’t.

As a simple rule, each of these memory types are designed to work on their own as they are created to perform different functions.

There are some higher end Workstations and low end Servers where you can mix Non-ECC and ECC Unbuffered DIMMs, however certain performance aspects are affected (check our online configurator to see if this relates to your model if it does consult your user manual for further explanation or contact us).

The following is a guide as to when you are able to use Non-ECC and ECC Unbuffered DIMMs individually or in conjunction with one another in your system:

1. Error Correcting not needed:  - If you do not require the ‘Error Correcting’ function of the modules to operate as they should in your system, then you may be able to use Non-ECC alongside ECC Unbuffered DIMMs. The system will simply ignore the ‘Error Correcting’ aspect of the ECC Unbuffered DIMMs and it will act as if the memory didn’t have it at all.
2. Parity Checking not needed: - If you do not require the ‘Parity Checking’ function of the modules to operate as they should in your system, then you may be able to use ECC Unbuffered instead of ECC Registered DIMMs. The system will understand that the memory installed does not have the ‘Parity Checking’ aspect, however, you will still utilise the ‘Error Correcting’ aspect.

On some systems, you may be required to disable the ‘Parity Checking’ in the BIOS. 

IMPORTANT:
ECC Registered, ECC Fully Buffered and ECC Load Reduced DIMMs will only work on their own, if you install any of these modules together your system will not work or you will experience a wide range of performance issues.

Summary:
It is important to select the correct Memory / Ram for your system - BEFORE carrying out an upgrade!

We understand that on occasion RAM compatibility issues (especially in older models) can lead people to try and use ECC Unbuffered, ECC Registered, ECC Fully Buffered and potentially ECC Load Reduced memory modules in a non-parity checking machine. If you are in the position where you would like to try this please check the information above, use our online configurator and/or contact us for assistance first.
 
Although we have hundreds of thousands of upgrade options on our website there are new models being released daily, also there are older models which have DIMM requirements that are very specific. If you cannot find your model on our configurator then please contact us as we are sure we will be able to help you.