Your guide to understanding RAM specifications before buying.

Always, RAM, hard drives, and graphics cards are the components of a computer that are most frequently changed either for upgrading and increasing the computer’s capacity or due to damage. However, when it comes to RAM, and when buying a new piece, you may face some difficulties in choosing the suitable and compatible one with the rest of the computer components, especially if you do not have enough experience. When purchasing a new RAM, besides the capacity, you will find many technical specifications listed on it, or described on the product through shopping websites, which definitely indicate something. Therefore, if you do not understand the meaning of these specifications, you may end up choosing a product that is not compatible with your computer. That’s why in this article we will explain to you the key technical specifications of RAM and the meaning of each one so that you can choose and buy the right RAM.

Of course, there are some simple things that do not need clarification regarding RAM. You must find the name of the manufacturing company such as “Kingston,” “Samsung,” “Corsair,” and many other companies. In this regard, there cannot be a preference for one company over another. Just make sure that when you are purchasing additional RAM for your computer, you buy a new RAM from the same manufacturing company of the old RAM module that it will work alongside in your computer to achieve the best compatibility and avoid any problems that may occur due to technical differences.

Also, the RAM capacity definitely does not need clarification. When buying a new RAM, make sure that the RAM capacity is compatible with the maximum RAM limit allowed by the motherboard. You can do this by checking the specifications of the motherboard on the company’s website and specifically the “RAM Modules” section where you will find the maximum supported RAM capacity and also the number of slots designated for RAM installation, whether 2 or 4. Therefore, for example, if the motherboard supports up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, the total RAM capacity should not exceed this number.

Now, let’s move on to more advanced specifications. To make it more practical, we will explain the RAM specifications in the image above through one of the online shopping websites, and the points will be arranged according to the order of the RAM specifications.

DDR

Usually, this specification is mentioned after the capacity and the manufacturing company’s name. It simply means the generation of technology used to transfer data within that RAM. “DDR” is an abbreviation for “Double Data Rate,” and since this technology allows two data transfers of “2 bits” during one RAM cycle, you will find the word “Double” next to the technology name. Also, the next number after DDR indicates the generation of that technology, meaning that DDR3 uses the third generation of DDR technology.

What matters in this aspect is that the technology is supported by the motherboard. Therefore, check the motherboard specifications to find the generation of technology used and supported by the motherboard. The motherboard will not support any other technology apart from the one it supports, whether newer or older. Therefore, you will not be able to run DDR2 RAM on a motherboard that supports DDR3, and vice versa.

This generation not only refers to data transfer but also to the design of the RAM. Each generation of RAM is differentiated by its specific design through a small “Notch” slot where the RAM is installed to be compatible with the design of the RAM slot on the motherboard. Also, each generation of RAM has a specific number of pins, and therefore, you will not be able to install RAM that is not compatible with the motherboard. This is intentionally done by manufacturers to prevent any problems with the motherboard when installing incompatible RAM and running the computer.

PC-12800

Often, you will find the letters “PC” after “DDR,” followed by a number representing the RAM generation. For example, for DDR3 RAM, you will find PC3 behind it, and so on. Then, you will find a long number such as “12800,” which represents the maximum data transfer capacity or the maximum data transfer rate supported by the RAM in megabytes, referred to as “Bandwidth.” Of course, this number is not the actual number when running the RAM, but it is only the maximum data transfer capacity.

1600MHz

Sometimes you will find this number in megahertz after the DDR type of RAM, which simply indicates the RAM frequency or the maximum speed of the RAM used for data transfer. What matters here as well is to review the RAM frequency supported by the motherboard and the processor through their official website to ensure the RAM compatibility with the motherboard.

But note that if you install a RAM with a higher frequency than the supported frequency by the motherboard or the processor, the RAM will work normally without any problems as long as its DDR generation is compatible with the motherboard. However, you will not benefit from the full speed of the RAM, and the supported frequency by the RAM slot on the motherboard will be the maximum frequency at which the new RAM will operate. This is known as a bottleneck issue.

Also, it is important to note that when installing a new RAM with a frequency of 1600MHz, for example, alongside a RAM with a frequency of 1333MHz, both will work at the lower speed, which is 1333MHz. Even if the motherboard supports a frequency of 1600MHz, this will ensure no data transfer issues due to the incompatibility between the two RAM modules.

Non-ECC VS ECC

ECC refers to “Error Correcting Code,” which is a technology supported by some RAM modules to detect and correct errors that may occur during data reading and transfer to the RAM. Generally, most RAM modules we use in our personal computers are of the “Non-ECC” type, meaning they do not support this technology. Most motherboards designed for personal computers also do not support the “ECC” technology.

You will find that “ECC” type RAM modules are used in enterprise servers, companies, universities, where any data transfer error can be very costly and may lead to the loss of important data. ECC RAM modules are somewhat slower due to the data check process, and they are also more expensive.

CL11

CL stands for “CAS Latency,” which means the time it takes for the RAM to request, read, and process data from the disk and hard drive before sending it to the processor. This is measured in nanoseconds or clock cycles in the RAM. The lower this number, the higher the data transfer speed of the RAM, and the lower the delay time. In the example given in this article, you will find that the delay rate of the RAM is 11 cycles, meaning the RAM takes 11 clock cycles to fetch and process data. However, this should not matter much to the average user since through some calculations based on the RAM frequency and the latency coefficient, you will find that the time taken is only approximately 13 nanoseconds (nanoseconds represent 1/billion of a second), which is almost negligible.

DIMM VS SO-DIMM

Sometimes you may find these abbreviations in the RAM specifications, which simply refer to the shape and size specifications of the RAM and the device intended for its use. This is known as the “Form Factor.” For example, DIMM RAM modules are suitable for desktop computers, while SO-DIMM RAM modules are suitable for laptops.

RGB

If you find the term “RGB” in the RAM specifications, it means that those RAM modules support RGB color lighting, which requires a motherboard that supports this technology. RGB RAM modules are often preferred by gaming enthusiasts for their distinctive aesthetic appeal. In any gaming computer setup, you will find “RGB” RAM modules at the top of the specifications list, despite being more expensive and consuming more power.

PINS

The number of pins in the RAM module may not always be listed in the specifications. The design of the RAM and the DDR model reflect the number of pins. You will find that desktop DDR2 RAM modules have 240 pins, while the same RAM modules for laptops have only 200. Desktop DDR3 RAM modules also have 240 pins, while those for laptops have 204. Desktop DDR4 RAM modules have 288 pins, while those for laptops have 260.

Volt

This refers to the power needed by the RAM. The newer the RAM version, the lower the voltage number, meaning less power consumption. DDR2 RAM modules typically start consuming power from 1.8V, while DDR3 RAM consumes around 1.5V, and DDR4 RAM consumes around 1.2V.

Finally, the Model Number

If you encounter a problem with any of the above specifications, you can use the RAM model number to quickly check compatibility with the motherboard. By obtaining the model of your motherboard and visiting its website, you can search for the RAM model in the “Memory support list” section. If you find the model, it means that the motherboard definitely supports that RAM. However, if you do not find it on the list, it does not necessarily mean that the RAM will not work on that motherboard. Therefore, you should review all the specifications explained in this article and compare them with the motherboard yourself because some hardware companies do not update the supported RAM list on their official website regularly.