Different Types of RAM Explained

SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory) was developed in response to increased speed in other computer components. Previously, memory had to be asynchronous, that is, it operated independently of the processor. Synchronous memory synchronizes the memory module's responses with the system bus. 

As other computer components increased their speed, memory speed also needed to increase. Double data rate, or DDR, was developed, and the previous technology became known as single data rate, or SDR. DDR was both faster and used less energy than SDR. DDR memory transfers data to the processor on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. A clock signal is made up of both a downbeat and an upbeat. Using both beats to transfer data makes double data rate memory significantly faster than single data-rate memory, which used only one edge of the clock signal to transfer data. Double data-rate is different than dual-channel memory, learn about dual-channel memory here.

Memory technology continues to develop. The next generation of memory, DDR2, is faster and uses less energy than the original DDR. DDR3 and DDR4 continued this trend. Each successive generation is faster and uses less energy. Memory standards are controlled by JEDEC, the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council, an independent semiconductor engineering trade organization and standardization body. 

Memory must be compatible with the other components in a computer system. Generally, components are created to the highest standard at the time of manufacture, but with the expectation that technology will continue to change. To prevent users from inserting incompatible memory, modules are physically different for each memory technology generation. These physical differences are standard across the memory industry. One of the reasons for industry-wide standardization in memory is that computer makers need to know the electrical parameters and physical shape of the memory that can be installed in their computers. Because the electrical parameters are different for each generation of memory, the physical shape of the memory changes to prevent the wrong memory from being installed in a computer. Computers can use only the generation of memory that they are designed for.

The numbers that appear after "DDR" and the generation indicator are the data transfer rate per second of the module. Because double data rate transfers data on both the rising and falling edge of the clock cycle, DDR3-800 is measured by using a 400 clock cycle on a 1066 MHz input/output clock. Please note that hertz is a measure of cycles per second, not the measure of the speed of the cycles.

There is also an industry name that indicates the theoretical bandwidth of the module, for example "PC3-6400". Bandwidth is calculated by taking the transfers per second and multiplying by eight (DDR3 transfers data on a bus that is 64 bits wide, and because a byte is eight bits, this is eight bytes of data per transfer).

In all cases, higher numbers indicate greater speeds.

If you want to upgrade your computer's memory or build your own computer, you must ensure that the memory is compatible with the other components in your computer. You must choose the correct memory technology before you can look at speed or any other features. Read about how to install more memory in your computer.