SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, SODIMM, MicroDIMM, pins, timing and CAS latency simplified!

You may be a bit puzzled by the various acronyms you see on websites that sell laptop memory. Acronyms like SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, SODIMM, MicroDIMM, pins, and CAS Latency may be cool and trendy for all computer gurus, but what if you’re 98% of us just upgrading your laptop? and it is not? Are you a computer expert? Well you know what? We listen to you; in fact, we will take action to prove it! While we can’t promise to turn you into a memory genius through the following, we strongly believe that we can truly help you. Ready to clean up some of that haze and get you on the right track to a successful laptop memory upgrade? Keep reading!

SDRAM, DDR, DDR2 and DDR3

All of the above, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 are themselves memory technologies. They are differentiated by their age, speed, operating voltage and times to simplify things a bit. Even though only SDRAM contains the acronym for RAM, they are all in fact RAM albeit of the type SDRAM, DDR, DDR2 and DDR3. In fact, RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is often used as an alternative to saying “memory.” You are much more likely to see them written without the “RAM” component in their name, but remember that if you ever detect DDR RAM, DDR2 RAM, or DDR3 RAM, then it is exactly the same as DDR, DDR2, and DDR3. SDRAM is always written in only one form, so if you ever see any source that references SDRAM RAM, let’s say whoever wrote it is a bit interested in rewriting the history.

Because SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 are all memory technologies (or should we say RAM), they are different too. You cannot install more than one type on your laptop as each has its own unique specification, including attached memory slots which are generally incompatible with the other types. Consequently, whatever your laptop is (unless it’s older than around 1997), it will only make use of one of the above. Have a DDR laptop? Install only DDR RAM. Have a DDR2 laptop? Only DDR2 RAM, etc. will work.

SODIMM

Now that you are up to date with memory technologies and a few other details about laptop RAM, next in line is a SODIMM. Four different types of laptop memory, but only one SODIMM, you ask? In short, “yes”. You see, SODIMM is short for Single Outline Dual Inline Memory Module and it’s a pretty fancy, albeit technical, way of telling the type of card your memory arrives on. Professionally speaking, I would say that a SODIMM is a type of PCB (printed circuit board) rather than “card”, but the card is just as suitable.

A SODIMM that is either a PCB or a card (don’t be too quick to decide this for now) will contain SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 memory chips soldered onto it. Does this mean that SODIMMs vary depending on the type of memory they have? Yes, but don’t roll your eyes just yet, it’s not as scary as you might think. While there are several differences, all you really need to know is the number of pins (see below). The number of pins identifies the type of SODIMM. By knowing the number of pins contained in the type of SODIMM your laptop requires, you can verify that you are requesting the correct type. Sometimes you may find some discrepancies in the descriptions when shopping, so it certainly doesn’t hurt to do so.

MicroDIMM

If you’re more of a mobile tycoon who often takes your laptop on the go, then chances are you own what’s known as a subnotebook or netbook. In general, we can classify them as types of small notebooks. You’ve probably guessed what we plan to say next, but just for consistency, a MicroDIMM is a miniature version of a SODIMM designed for small laptops, which happen to feature a more compact chassis. Not all subnotebooks use MicroDIMMs, but don’t let that stop you from remembering what they are.

Unless you have a subnotebook or netbook, suffice it to say that you are not likely to have a MicroDIMM on your agenda. Even if you own a netbook, most cannot be upgraded, so the same applies there as well. Perhaps the best advice is to consider what a MicroDIMM is and also remember what we said earlier about SODIMM pins. The same theory can be applied to MicroDIMM pins: by noting the number of pins, you can easily deduce the type of MicroDIMM.

Legs

We’ve spilled the beans on what the older SODIMM and MicroDIMM pins are, which is actually great because as a result we can immediately jump to disabling how many pins each of the different SODIMM and MicroDIMM types (corresponding to each technology of memory). .

If you order an SDRAM SODIMM laptop memory upgrade, you should expect a SODIMM with 144 pins.

However, if you need a DDR SODIMM laptop memory upgrade, it should contain 200 pins.

And so we proceed to a memory upgrade for the DDR2 SODIMM notebook. These also contain 200 pins just like DDR SODIMMs, but rest assured they are incompatible with each other.

And finally (as of 2010) we have a DDR3 SODIMM laptop memory upgrade. These contain 204 pins.

Things are a bit different when it comes to MicroDIMMs. If you need a MicroDIMM SDRAM, then the number of pins is equal to 144, the same as in a SODIMM SDRAM.

In the meantime, if a DDR MicroDIMM is what you need, this is 172-pin.

Finally, if a DDR2 MIcroDIMM upgrade is on your agenda, these contain 214 pins.

Time

Every time you see or hear about timings (in the context of RAM), it all has to do with delays related to how efficiently a given SODIMM or MicroDIMM works. For the sake of simplicity, this includes delays associated with how quickly you can access a memory module, find the data to read, or locate a free area to write some new data to, copy data, and update later. to execute those commands.

Since timing influences the performance of a SODIMM or MicroDIMM, you will sometimes find that some memory manufacturers offer what we might call performance parts. These are standard SODIMM or MicroDIMM memory modules, except for the trait that they are certified to run stably at somewhat faster (tighter) memory times.

Each type of memory technology, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 operates in its own time domain. An SDRAM memory module will likely feature 2-3-3-6 timings, a DDR 3-3-3-8 memory module, a DDR2 4-4-4-12 module, and a DDR3 7-7-7 module. -20 respectively. Keep in mind that there are four numbers in each and that the newer the memory technology, the longer its times.

While a small performance increase (about 5%) can be obtained by installing performance SODIMMs or MicroDIMMs, you are not prone to feeling the difference even if you want to pay a little more for the privilege. However, if you decide that your laptop deserves nothing but the best, always remember to replace all currently installed memory modules with new performance SODIMMs or MicroDIMMs. If you don’t, the memory will run at the times of the older modules, eliminating any performance benefits from installing your new RAM.

CAS latency

The above statement on timing wouldn’t be entirely complete if we didn’t mention a few words about CAS latency, especially if you’ve taken the plunge and decided to buy performance SODIMMs or MicroDIMMs after all.

When it comes to RAM times, CAS latency has the biggest impact on performance. CAS stands for Column Access Strobe and marks the delay that a SODIMM or MicroDIMM must take before locating a certain area within memory. CAS latency is usually marked as, for example, CAS 3, CL3, CL = 3 or is hidden within the time description as above. For example, if you see a SODIMM or MicroDIMM with its times written as 4-4-4-12, then the first number on the left (4 in this case) is the CAS latency. Similarly, if you find a DDR2 memory module of the same frequency but with times of 3-4-4-10, this means that it has been certified to work at CL = 3 instead of CL = 4.

Conclution

If you can muster the above, then we dare say it outright, but you probably already know more about laptop RAM than most of the vendors in the big chain computer stores. And they have a job trying to sell you among other memory upgrades? Anyway, the focus is on you and not on them, in fact, it is not even on you, but on what you have just learned above.

You may not realize it, but you actually deserve a heartfelt pat on the back. At first all of the above acronyms may seem silly, but isn’t that just wishful thinking? Take a deep breath, follow the advice word for word, and despite everything your fears may be saying, buying a laptop memory upgrade will be a hit!