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DDR SDRAM - Learn and compare before you buy memory

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Learn before you make a memory purchase.
Read up on the various types of DDR SDRAM.
DDRSDRAM.net provides clear information.

1GB DDR SDRAM chip

1GB is the largest memory amount in a DDR SDRAM chip. It is the same amount as 1024MB. New computers often come with two 1GB chips pre-installed, for a total of 2GB of RAM. Modern software applications often require much RAM. If multiple large programs are running at once, a 1GB DDR SDRAM chip may not be enough to handle the load by itself. 2GB should be sufficient level of memory for most computer users.

A 1GB chip may also function as a memory upgrade on a computer which might benefit from more RAM, and still has an available memory slot. For instance, if the first RAM slot is used to hold a 512MB DDR chip, then the second may be filled by a 1GB chip. This would increase the memory on the computer to 1536MB. Two 1GB chips may also be combined in the same manner to tally 2GB (2048MB) of memory. Making use of the additional 1GB in these cases is a way to boost the PC's performance without needing to buy a new one.

The RAM must also be compatible with the motherboard being used, although in some cases the chips can be "underclocked" or "overclocked" in order to make a match even where the they are not the same. You can read more about the different data speeds and frequencies:

• PC1600 DDR (100MHz)
• PC2100 DDR (133MHz)
• PC2700 DDR (166MHz)
• PC3200 DDR (200MHz)

Please note: a laptop will typically require memory designed specifically for it, while standard memory is generally made for use on a desktop PC.


Other DDR SDRAM chip amounts:

• 128MB DDR
• 256MB DDR
• 512MB DDR