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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.

256MB DDR SDRAM chip

256MB is the second smallest memory amount in a DDR SDRAM chip. Pre-built computers are often packaged with two 256MB chips, for a total of 512MB RAM, since the one chip alone would not be sufficient for some users. With modern computer applications, it is certainly possible that just one program may require over 256MB of memory. After considering the operating system, as well as additional programs that run on the PC, a single 256MB DDR SDRAM chip may not be enough.

A 256MB chip may function as a memory upgrade on a computer which could use more RAM, and still has an open memory slot. For example, if the first RAM slot is filled by a 512MB DDR chip, then the next may be used to hold a 256MB chip. This would bring the computer's memory up to 768MB. Two 256MB chips may also be combined in the same manner to produce 512MB of memory. Using the additional 256MB in these cases is a cheap alternative which might give the PC enough of a boost to cover what the user needs.

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
• 512MB DDR
• 1GB DDR