Memory Organization?

CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
edited July 2003 in Hardware
I just noticed this the other night while searching for new memory to purchase. "Memory Organization."

What's the difference in organizations? (IE: 64Mx64 vs. 32Mx8)

Is one better than the other?

Do some boards not support one versus the other(s)?

Does one overclock better than the other(s)?

Thanks for the answers! :)

Comments

  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    Nothing? There's no way I could have stumped you guys. :banghead:
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    64M x 64:

    64 megabyte chips. 64/8 = 8 bytes. 8 x 64 = 512.

    32M x 8:

    32 megabyte chips. It's actually a mislabel. It should be 32M x 16 unless they're only talking about a single side of the DIMM. In that case, 512/32 = 8. That's 256mb, double the sides and you get the full 512.
  • TheLostSwedeTheLostSwede Trondheim, Norway Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    Well explained Thrax. Not all stores says what memory orginization they have on them though. If you read your motherboards manual, you can probably see that it support 8 banks with only 4 slots.

    A singlesided memory stick are NORMALLY better in handling tight timings at rated speed or SPD.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    And it's a common mistake. People often buy any memory because they see "Supports a full 1.5GB of PC3200 memory!"

    They think: "Cool, 3 slots, I'll buy 3 sticks of 512mb."

    But then they buy double sided modules for 6 banks of memory. But what if their board only supports 3 banks? Then they're screwed. They should've purchased single-sided modules.

    That's why chip density is important.
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    OK. So, I want to get another 512 MB of RAM.

    I currently have 2 sticks of Crucial 256MB PC2700, and I'd like to start preparing for a 400FSB processor in the future. This is the memory I have now: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-056

    Which one of these would be best to get, or does it matter?

    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-416

    or

    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-420

    I have an Abit NF7-S.

    I want to put the 512 MB stick in there with the two 256 MB sticks for now. And in the future, if I get a 400FSB processor, the I'll just pull the two Crucials and pick up another 512 PC3200.

    Thanks for the help!
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    Read the manual.

    If it supports 3 banks, you need single-sided memory. If it supports 6 banks, you can use single or double. If it supports four banks, a double and two singles, etc.
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    OK. Cool! Thanks, Thrax.

    //Edit: OK, for futre reference, if anyone cares, the NF7-S supports 6 banks. :)
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited July 2003
    I don't know this for fact, but I do believe that most motherboards today support 2 banks per dimm slot. Of course, it is always best to refer to the manual before leaping.
    Trekky8472 said
    OK. Cool! Thanks, Thrax.

    //Edit: OK, for futre reference, if anyone cares, the NF7-S supports 6 banks. :)
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