Computer Memory

To a relative computer layman, the term Memory rank is a fairly innocuous one. To someone well versed in the inner mechanics of a PC, then it is an integral hardware component that allows more space to be allocated for your computer’s data. In this short article, we will try and explain just a little bit about memory ranks for those of us who don’t find this kind of thing easy to understand.

The Definition

A Memory Rank is a multiple of DRAM chips, organised in lines (or ranks), that are connected to same microchip.

The term ‘Rank’ was coined by the standards authority for the memory industry, the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (or JEDEC for short), as a way to differentiate between the separate memory banks that exist on a module. ‘What is a module?’ I hear you cry. Well, simply put, it is general term for a number of separate electronic circuits grouped together on a circuit board to perform basic operations within a PC’s internal workings.

A Memory Storage Area

To further break it down into its base parts, a memory Rank is an area of data that uses some, or all in some cases, of a module’s internal memory chips. 1 Rank is equal to 1 data block that is 64 bits wide. A module can be made up of 1, 2 or 4 ranks of data and is referred to as being single, dual or quad rank.

Single or Dual Sided

In addition to having up to 4 ranks of data blocks, a memory module can also be dual sided i.e. it has a bank of chips on both sides of the PCB, it will be denoted as being dual sided.

What to look out for - When looking through technical PC manuals which describe and explain the inner components of a computer in detail, it is easy to get intimidated by the often confusing terminology. With regards to memory, denotations are the thing to look out for. For example, a single sided, dual rank module will be annotated as 1Rx2 or a dual sided quad rank module would be 2Rx4.

Pros and Cons of Higher Rank Modules

Of course, having more ram can’t typically be seen as a bad thing, but it can lead to problems installation, depending on your server. Servers will sometimes have a limit on the amount of ranks it can house. 

If you’re not sure on your servers limitations, you should refer to your manual for specifics and remember to keep an eye out for the annotations mentioned above. Alternatively give our technical suppport team a call or email and they will confirm the exact specification that will work within your current server setup.

Conclusion

We hope that we have made the complicated world of circuit boards, memory slots and ranks that little bit clearer for you. With a little guidance, understanding what your PC needs to work effectively doesn’t need to be a traumatic experience.

A server relies on its memory hardware to cope with all the memory-intensive applications thrown at it. It also plays a vital role in ensuring that all of a computer network’s hardware runs at its optimum level. If you don’t have enough RAM in your server/s, then it will undoubtedly suffer performance problems.

When you upgrade your server memory, you increase its capacity to operate at its highest efficiency level and that every CPU and device attached to its network has the best chance of doing likewise.

The Same RAM Hardware
When choosing the hardware for your upgrade, it’s best to choose the same specification of RAM that your server already has, as this mitigates any risks of incompatibility. It is recommended that you max out your server’s RAM capacity, as this will protect your network’s performance level for some years to come. Adding as much as you possibly can, means that future upgrades won’t involve any issues with compatibility, as by that point, it will be time to look at adding servers to your computer architecture.

Mixing RAM Speeds
If for some reason, you have to consider using memory that isn’t identical in specification to what you already have, this shouldn’t be a problem, as long as the memory type and chip base is the same. Where possible we will always supply upgrades matched to your original modules to ensure 100% compatibility.
 
Server upgrading can be a bit of a minefield if you are not 100% sure of the server memory upgrade you need why not give one of our technical team a call and they will talk you through all you need to know in order to upgrade your specific machine.