Memory capacity
The total volume of all modules of the RAM kit.
Knowing this parameter and the number of planks in the set, you can estimate the volume of one plank. This information can be useful for assessing compatibility with a specific PC: any motherboard has a limit on the maximum volume of each individual bar.
Now on the market there are kits with such a volume of memory:
4 GB,
8 GB,
16 GB,
32 GB,
64 GB and even
128 GB. The combination of several sticks allows you to sell sets of
8 GB (2 sticks of 4 GB),
16 GB (2 sticks of 8 GB),
16 GB (4 sticks of 4 GB),
32 GB (2 sticks of 16 GB),
32 GB (4 8 GB sticks),
48 GB (2 24 GB sticks). 64 GB kits are represented by the following sets:
64 GB (2 sticks of 32 GB),
64 GB (4 sticks of 16 GB) and
64 GB (8 sticks of 8 GB). 128 GB RAM mainly consists of
4 sticks of 32 GB or
8 sticks of 16 GB. And
256 GB and
96 GB (2 sticks of 48 GB each) are not so popular
Memory modules
The number of individual modules included in RAM kit. One module occupies one slot on the motherboard, so to install the entire kit, the number of free slots must be equal to or greater than the number of modules.
If there is an even number of modules in the set, they can be paired. This mode significantly increases the speed, but is not supported by all models of motherboards, so in each case this point should be clarified separately.
Now on the market? there are modules supplied in such quantity:
one modules,
set of 2 modules,
set of 4 modules,
set of 8 modules.
Memory rank
The number of ranks provided in the memory bar.
The rank in this case is called one logical module — a chipset with a total capacity of 64 bits. If there is more than one rank, this means that several logical ones are implemented on one physical module, and they use the data transmission channel alternately. A similar design is used in order to achieve large amounts of RAM with a limited number of slots for individual brackets. At the same time, it should be said that for consumer computers, you can not pay much attention to the memory rank — more precisely, peer-to-peer modules are quite enough for them. But for servers and powerful workstations, two-, four- and even eight-rank solutions are produced.
Note that other things being equal, a larger number of ranks allows achieving larger volumes, however, it requires more computing power and increases the load on the system.
Memory timing
Timing is a term that refers to the time it takes to complete an operation. To understand the timing scheme, you need to know that structurally RAM consists of banks (from 2 to 8 per module), each of which, in turn, has rows and columns, like a table; when accessing memory, the bank is selected first, then the row, then the column. The timing scheme shows the time during which the four main operations are performed when working with RAM, and is usually written in four digits in the format CL-Trcd-Trp-Tras, where
CL is the minimum delay between receiving a command to read data and the start of their transfer;
Trcd — the minimum time between the selection of a row and the selection of a column in it;
Trp is the minimum time to close a row, that is, the delay between the signal and the actual closing. Only one bank line can be opened at a time; Before opening the next line, you must close the previous one.
Tras — the minimum time the row is active, in other words, the shortest time after which the row can be commanded to close after it has been opened.
Time in the timing scheme is measured in cycles, so the actual memory performance depends not only on the timing scheme, but also on the clock frequency. For example, 1600 MHz 8-8-8-24 memory will run at the same speed as 800 MHz 4-4-4-12 memory—in either case timings, if expressed in nanoseconds, will be 5-5-5-15.
