When buying a flash drive, many people ask themselves the question: "how to choose the right flash drive." Of course, choosing a flash drive is not so difficult if you know exactly for what purposes it is purchased. In this article I will try to give a complete answer to the question posed. I decided to write only about what to look for when buying.

A flash drive (USB drive) is a drive designed to store and transfer information. The flash drive works very simply without batteries. You just need to connect it to USB port at your PC.

1. Flash drive interface

At the moment there are 2 interfaces: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. If you decide to buy a USB flash drive, then I recommend taking a USB 3.0 USB flash drive. This interface was made recently, its main feature is the high data rate. We'll talk about speeds a little later.

This is one of the main parameters that you need to look at first. Now flash drives are sold from 1 GB to 256 GB. The cost of a flash drive will directly depend on the amount of memory. Here you need to immediately decide for what purpose a flash drive is bought. If you are going to store text documents on it, then 1 GB is enough. For downloading and transferring movies, music, photos, etc. you need to take the more, the better. To date, the most popular are flash drives with a capacity of 8GB to 16GB.

3. Body material

The body can be made of plastic, glass, wood, metal, etc. Flash drives are mostly made of plastic. There is nothing I can advise here, it all depends on the preferences of the buyer.

4. Transfer rate

Earlier I wrote that there are two standards USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. Now I will explain how they differ. The USB 2.0 standard has a read speed of up to 18 Mbps and a write speed of up to 10 Mbps. The USB 3.0 standard has a read speed of 20-70 Mbps, and a write speed of 15-70 Mbps. Here, I think, nothing needs to be explained.

Now in stores you can find flash drives of different shapes and sizes. They can be in the form of jewelry, fancy animals, etc. Here I would advise taking flash drives that have a protective cap.

6. Password protection

There are flash drives that have a password protection feature. Such protection is carried out using a program that is located in the flash drive itself. The password can be set both on the entire flash drive, and on part of the data in it. Such a flash drive will primarily be useful to people who transfer corporate information in it. According to the manufacturers, if you lose it, you don't have to worry about your data. Not so simple. If such a flash drive falls into the hands of an understanding person, then hacking it is just a matter of time.

Such flash drives look very beautiful, but I would not recommend buying them. Because they are very fragile and often break in half. But if you are a neat person, then feel free to take it.

Conclusion

Nuances, as you noticed, a lot. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the most important parameters when choosing: the standard of a flash drive, the volume and speed of writing and reading. And everything else: design, material, options - this is just a personal choice of everyone.

Good afternoon my dear friends. In today's article, I want to talk about how to choose the right mouse pad. When buying a rug, many do not attach any importance to this. But as it turned out, this moment should be given Special attention, because mat determine one of the indicators of comfort while working at a PC. For an avid gamer, choosing a rug is a completely different story. Consider what options for mouse pads have been invented today.

Mat options

1. Aluminum
2. Glass
3. Plastic
4. Rubberized
5. Double sided
6. Helium

And now I would like to talk about each species in more detail.

1. First, I want to consider three options at once: plastic, aluminum and glass. These mats are very popular with gamers. For example, plastic mats are easier to find commercially. On such mats, the mouse glides quickly and accurately. And most importantly, these mats are suitable for both laser and optical mice. Aluminum and glass mats will be a little more difficult to find. And yes, they will cost a lot. The truth is for what - they will serve for a very long time. Rugs of these types have small flaws. Many people say that they rustle and feel a little cool when used, which may cause discomfort for some users.

2. Rubberized (rag) mats have a soft glide, but the accuracy of their movements is worse. For ordinary users, such a rug will be just right. Yes, and they are much cheaper than the previous ones.

3. Double-sided mousepads are, in my opinion, a very interesting kind of mousepads. As the name implies, these rugs have two sides. As a rule, one side is high-speed, and the other is high-precision. It happens that each side is designed for a certain game.

4. Helium pads have a silicone cushion. She allegedly supports her hand and relieves tension from it. For me personally, they were the most uncomfortable. By appointment, they are designed for office workers, since they sit at the computer all day. For ordinary users and gamers, these mats are not suitable. The mouse slides very poorly on the surface of such rugs, and their accuracy is not the best.

Mat sizes

There are three types of rugs: large, medium and small. It all depends on the taste of the user. But as is commonly believed, large rugs are well suited for games. Small and medium ones are taken mainly for work.

Rugs design

In this regard, there are no restrictions. It all depends on what you want to see on your rug. The blessing now on rugs that only do not draw. The most popular are the logos of computer games such as DotA, Warcraft, ruler, etc. But if it happened that you could not find a rug with the pattern you need, do not be upset. Now you can order a print on the rug. But such rugs have a minus: when printing is applied to the surface of the rug, its properties deteriorate. Design for quality.

On this I want to end the article. From myself I wish you to make the right choice and be happy with it.
Who does not have a mouse or wants to replace it with another, I advise you to look at the article:.

Monoblocks from Microsoft have replenished with a new monoblock model called Surface Studio. Microsoft presented its new product recently at an exhibition in New York.

On a note! I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the Surface monoblock. This monoblock was presented earlier. Click on to view the article.

Design

Microsoft calls its new product the thinnest monoblock in the world. With a weight of 9.56 kg, the thickness of the display is only 12.5 mm, the other dimensions are 637.35x438.9 mm. The display dimensions are 28 inches with a resolution greater than 4K (4500x3000 pixels), aspect ratio 3:2.

On a note! The display resolution of 4500x3000 pixels corresponds to 13.5 million pixels. This is 63% more than 4K resolution.

The monoblock display itself is touch-sensitive, enclosed in an aluminum case. On such a display, it is very convenient to draw with a stylus, which ultimately opens up new possibilities for using a monoblock. In my opinion, this monoblock model will appeal to creative people (photographers, designers, etc.).

On a note! For people of creative professions, I advise you to look at an article where I considered monoblocks of similar functionality. Click on the selected one: .

To everything written above, I would add that the main feature of the monoblock will be its ability to instantly turn into a tablet with a huge work surface.

On a note! By the way, Microsoft has another amazing candy bar. To find out about it, go to.

Specifications

I will present the characteristics in the form of a photograph.

From the periphery, I note the following: 4 USB ports, Mini-Display Port connector, network port Ethernet, card-reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, 1080p webcam, 2 microphones, 2.1 Dolby Audio Premium audio system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It also supports Xbox wireless controllers.

Price

When buying a monoblock, it will be installed with Windows 10 Creators Update. This system should be released in the spring of 2017. This operating system will have updated Paint, Office, etc. The price of a monoblock will be from $ 3,000.
Dear friends, write in the comments what you think about this monoblock, ask your questions. I'll be glad to chat!

OCZ has demonstrated new VX 500 SSDs. These drives will be equipped with Serial ATA 3.0 interface and are made in 2.5-inch form factor.

On a note! For those who are interested in how SSD drives work and how long they live, you can read in an article I wrote earlier:.

The novelties are made using 15-nanometer technology and will be equipped with Tochiba MLC NAND flash memory microchips. The controller in SSD drives will be used by Tochiba TC 35 8790.
The VX 500 drive lineup will consist of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 550 Mb/s (this is for all drives in this series), but the write speed will be from 485 Mb/s to 512 Mb/s.

The number of input / output operations per second (IOPS) with data blocks of 4 KB in size can reach 92,000 when reading, and 65,000 when writing (this is all arbitrary).
The thickness of OCZ VX 500 drives will be 7 mm. This will allow them to be used in ultrabooks.

Prices of new products will be as follows: 128 GB - $ 64, 256 GB - $ 93, 512 GB - $ 153, 1 TB - $ 337. I think in Russia they will cost more.

Lenovo has unveiled its new IdeaCentre Y910 gaming all-in-one at Gamescom 2016.

On a note! Earlier, I wrote an article where I already considered gaming monoblocks from different manufacturers. This article can be viewed by clicking on this one.

The novelty from Lenovo received a 27-inch frameless display. The display resolution is 2560x1440 pixels (this is QHD format), the refresh rate is 144 Hz, and the response time is 5 ms.

The monoblock will have several configurations. The maximum configuration includes a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor, hard drive up to 2 TB or 256 GB. Volume random access memory equals 32 GB DDR4. The video card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 1080 with Pascal architecture will be responsible for the graphics. Thanks to such a video card, it will be possible to connect a virtual reality helmet to the monoblock.
From the periphery of the monoblock, I would single out the Harmon Kardon audio system with 5-watt speakers, the Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi module, a webcam, USB ports 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI connectors.

In the basic version, the IdeaCentre Y910 monoblock will be available in September 2016 at a price of 1800 euros. But the monoblock with the version of "VR-ready" will appear in October at a price of 2200 euros. It is known that this version will have a GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card.

MediaTek has decided to upgrade its Helio X30 mobile processor. So now the developers from MediaTek are designing a new mobile processor called Helio X35.

I would like to briefly talk about Helio X30. This processor has 10 cores, which are combined into 3 clusters. Helio X30 has 3 variations. The first - the most powerful - consists of Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz. There are also blocks with Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz and Cortex-A35 with a frequency of 2.0 GHz.

The new Helio X35 processor also has 10 cores and is being created using 10nm technology. The clock frequency in this processor will be much higher than that of its predecessor and ranges from 3.0 Hz. The novelty will allow you to use up to 8 GB LPDDR4 RAM. The Power VR 7XT controller will most likely be responsible for the graphics in the processor.
The station itself can be seen in the photographs in the article. In them we can observe the drive bays. One bay with a 3.5" jack and the other with a 2.5" jack. Thus, it will be possible to connect to the new station as solid state drive(SSD) and HDD(HDD).

The dimensions of the Drive Dock station are 160x150x85mm, and the weight is no less than 970 grams.
Many people probably have a question about how the Drive Dock connects to a computer. The answer is: this happens through a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port. According to the manufacturer, the sequential read speed will be 434 Mb / s, and in write mode (serial) 406 Mb / s. The novelty will be compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

This device will be very useful for people who work with photo and video materials at a professional level. The Drive Dock can also be used to backups files.
The price for a new device will be acceptable - it is $ 90.

On a note! Previously, Renduchinthala worked at Qualcomm. And since November 2015, he moved to a competing company Intel.

In his interview, Renduchintala did not talk about mobile processors, but only said the following, and I quote: "I prefer to talk less and do more."
Thus, the top manager of Intel made an excellent intrigue with his interview. We just have to wait for more announcements in the future.

Physically random access memory is made in the form of LSI (large integrated circuits) of various types (SIMM, DIMM), having different information capacity(1, 4, 8, 16, 32 MB, etc.).

SIMMs can have a different number of pins: 30 (obsolete) or 72.

DIMMs have 168 pins. It must be borne in mind that various motherboards have different sets of connectors for RAM modules.

The main characteristic of RAM modules is the access time to information (read/write data). In modern memory modules, the access time is usually less than 70 ns (70 * 10 9 s).

Memory module design

64-bit DIMM modules (Dual In-line Memory Module) appeared in 1997. This generation of memory modules has 168 contacts located on both sides of the textolite board (84 contacts on each side).

To identify the module type by the amount of memory and the type of chips used, a flash memory chip with service information recorded in it (SPD - Serial Presense Detect) is installed on it, which is accessed via the 12C interface. To prevent the installation of an unsuitable type of DlMM module, several slots (keys) are made in the textolite board. For mechanical identification of various DIMM modules, a shift in the position of two keys in the textolite board of the module, located among the pads, is used. The main purpose of these keys is to prevent the installation of a DIMM module with an unsuitable supply voltage for memory chips into the slot. In addition, the left key determines the presence or absence of a data buffer.

For DDR SDRAM modules, the number of pins has been increased to 184.

The latest modifications of Pentium 4 and Celeron, as well as Athlon and Duron processors are designed to work with such modules.

Corresponding keys are used to identify the supply voltage of DDR SDRAM modules.

On Registered DIMMs (with data buffering), one or two temporary storage chips are always installed between the pins and the DRAM chips.

In low profile modules, buffering chips are installed in the middle of the module.

Types of RAM.

Also, memory is divided not only in size but also in frequency.

There are three types of RAM:

DDR,
DDR2,
DDR3.

Their frequencies are:

DDR - from 200 to 400 MHz,

DDR2 - from 533 to 1200 MHz,

DDR3 - from 800 to 2400 MHz.

Greetings, dear readers! Today I will talk about the types of computer RAM. There are many varieties of it - enough to get confused in the parameters.

From this article you will learn:

A brief excursion into history

A long time ago, when computers were large, programs were small, and there were no viruses at all, SIMM modules of several modifications were used: 30, 68 and 72 contacts. They worked in conjunction with processors from 286 to 486 inclusive.

Now it is extremely difficult to find such a computer in working condition: there is no modern software for it. Programs that could theoretically be launched turn out to be too heavy in practice.

DIMM

The main difference from its predecessor is that the contacts located on both sides of the strip are independent, in contrast to the paired contacts on the SIMM. SDRAM technology is already involved here - synchronous dynamic random access memory.
The mass production of this type of memory began in 1993. Such modules were intended, first of all, for the Intel Pentium or Celeron processor on a 64-bit data bus.

SO-DIMM memory modules are more compact, as they are used in laptops.

DDR

To be more precise, this type of memory is called DDR SDRAM. Appeared on the market in 2001 and was used as RAM and video memory. Differences from its predecessor are in the doubled frequency, since the bar is capable of transmitting data twice in one clock cycle.

This is the first type of memory module that can operate in dual-channel mode.

You can find out more about what dual-channel mode is.

And yes, DDR SDRAM and its descendants are produced in the DIMM form factor, that is, they have independent contacts on both sides.

DDR2

This type of memory was able to compete with its predecessor already in 2004 and held a leading position until 2010. The brackets were produced in DIMM form factors for desktop computers and SO-DIMM for portable ones.

Compared to its predecessor, this type of memory has:

• Large throughput;
• Less power consumption;
• Improved cooling due to design.

The disadvantages include higher timings of RAM. What it is .

DDR3

Like their predecessor, they are available as a 240-pin strip, but they are incompatible due to different connectors (I'll talk about this in more detail later).

The memory type features even higher frequency and lower power consumption, as well as an increase in pre-paging from 4 to 8 bits. There is a modification of DDR3L with an operating voltage reduced to 1.35 V. By the way, about the frequency. There are several modifications: 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 or 2400 with the corresponding data rate.
Produced since 2012. Computers using this type of memory still work today. Volume installed modules from 1 to 16 GB. In the SO-DIMM form factor, the "ceiling" is 8 GB.

DDR4

The fourth generation doubled the number of internal banks, increasing the transfer rate of the external bus. Mass production started in 2014. The top models have a bandwidth of up to 3,200 million transfers per second, and they are available in modules ranging from 4 to 128 GB.

They already have 288 contacts. The physical dimensions of the part are the same, so the connectors are packed tighter. Compared to DDR3, the height is slightly increased.
SO-DIMMs have 260 pins placed closer together.

What's next?

An interesting trend: timings increase for each next generation of memory, which engineers are trying to compensate for by increasing the operating frequency and data transfer rate. So effective that the next generation is faster than its predecessors.

That is why I once again focus your attention on the fact that when choosing components, try to “dance” from the DDR4 standard as the newest and most progressive.

Memory Type Compatibility

There is a misconception that due to the peculiarities of the interface, the memory bar cannot be inserted into inappropriate slots. I'll put it this way: a strong enough guy (and even some girls) will stick anything anywhere - not just RAM, but an Intel processor into an AMD slot. True, there is one BUT: such an assembly, alas, will not work.

The rest of the users, who assemble computers carefully, usually cannot insert the RAM into the wrong slot. Even if the planks have the same dimensions, this will not allow you to make a so-called key. Inside the slot there is a small protrusion that prevents mounting the wrong type of RAM. On a suitable bar, there is a small cutout in this place, so you can insert it without problems.

How to determine the model

Embedded in Windows Utilities allow you to find out only the minimum information - the amount of installed memory. What type it is, in this way it is impossible to find out. Third-party software will come to the rescue, giving out complete information about the system - for example, Everest or AIDA64.

Also, the type of memory is registered in the BIOS. Where exactly this information is indicated and how to call the BIOS depends on its modification. In most cases, holding down the Del button while starting the computer is enough, but there may be exceptions.

Naturally, the marking is indicated on the RAM itself, or rather on a glued nameplate. To get to the bar, you will have to disassemble the case and dismantle it. In the case of a laptop, this simple task turns into an exciting quest with viewing detailed instructions by disassembly.

That, in fact, is all about the types of RAM, which is enough to know for an independent selection of components. And if you collect gaming computer I encourage you to read the information.

Thank you for your attention and see you next time! Do not forget this blog and share publications on social networks.

How to choose RAM (RAM, DDR), which memory module is better

When choosing RAM (RAM, DDR) for upgrading a computer, or assembling a new one, most users practically do not pay attention to the quality and type of RAM modules. The “only parameter” of RAM is often only its volume, but this is far from the only parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing. And so, consider basic RAM parameters and what depends on them.

Form factor

For a desktop computer, the form factor (standards and physical dimensions) will be DIMM, and for a laptop SODIMM.

Well, now let's get down to the features...

The amount of RAM and the number of memory modules

As mentioned earlier, is the first criterion for selection. When choosing the volume of RAM modules, and their number, you must first of all clearly understand the purpose for which the computer will be used.

If this is a computer for office tasks or surfing the Internet, then it does not need large volume RAM, and today, for such a computer, there will be enough 2GB one module.

If your computer is a gaming station for you, or a workstation with applications that consume a large amount of RAM, then it would be advisable to purchase 4 - 8 GB

Number of RAM modules significantly affects the performance of the PC. Here, for example, the same computer with the same amount of RAM, but with a large number of memory modules (for example, the first has 4GB with one bar, and the second has 2 bars of 2GB each) will load the game faster than the first. "Why is that?" - you ask, but because modern motherboards, just like memory controllers in processors, have support 2 or 3 channel memory operation. By installing 2 or 3 sticks of RAM in the corresponding slots of the motherboard (to activate this mode, the sticks must be inserted into slots of the same color), you activate the two or three channel mode, which in theory can increase the total memory bandwidth by 2 or 3 times, respectively ( in practice, much less, but the difference is significant). For example, if one memory module has a bus width of 64 bits, this means that the processor can read 64 bits from memory in one cycle, and the number of cycles corresponds to the frequency of the RAM. And when you set two or three channel mode, you thereby increase the bus width by 2 (128 bits) or 3 (192 bits) times.

But even here there are pitfalls, you should not immediately run to buy several RAM modules if this performance gain does not play a big role for you. By setting two or three channel mode, you may reduce the stability of the computer, since the probability of errors in such modes is much higher than in single-channel mode. It depends on many factors: frequency of operation, manufacturer, timings, whether the memory modules that should work together are the same, etc. Moreover, from my experience in computer repair, there are many cases when, after 3 - 4 years of uninterrupted operation in two-channel mode, motherboard(chipset) gradually (and sometimes abruptly) ceases to work correctly in this mode, or does not start at all (the latter option is more frequent) reporting the absence of memory modules. But as soon as you pull out all the modules except for one, the system magically starts working. Solve this problem it was possible by installing two modules on one channel (of different colors), and “throw out” the remaining modules (if any). Or it was possible to warm up the chipset / processor (depending on where the memory controller is) - this can help for a short period of time. The reason why the memory controller fails, as well as the deterioration in the quality of the modules themselves, is the degradation of the chips.

Memory should be purchased based on the recommendations of your computer's motherboard manufacturer. To do this, just go to the manufacturer's website, find your board there, and find the section with supported modules and memory manufacturers. The motherboard, of course, can work wonderfully with other memory modules, but still, buying memory from the list of supported ones, you guarantee yourself stable operation.

Memory type and memory frequency

The type of RAM indicates primarily technical process, according to which the chips are made, and indicates that the newer module operates at a higher frequency, which has a positive effect on performance.

At the moment, there are 2 types of memory - DDR2 and DDR3, for buying a new computer, I think the choice is obvious - take only a new one, and this is DDR3 (at the time of writing). To upgrade your computer, you don’t have much choice, you will have to take the memory that your motherboard supports. Only in some cases, when upgrading a computer, you can change the memory to a newer one. But this is only possible if your motherboard is a “combo” that supports both an older and a newer type of memory, but together, modules of different types will not work, and if you have older memory installed, you will have to “throw it out” and put a newer one in other slots.

The frequency of RAM can be different, strips of even the same type can be of different frequencies. Ideally, it is desirable to choose memory with a frequency identical to the FSB bus of the processor. And do not confuse the effective frequency of the RAM and the effective one. Here, for example, DDR 1333 memory is DDR2 class memory and operates at a REAL frequency of 667 MHz. The processor's FSB is also described as efficient, and must be divided by 2 to determine the real one.

Memory delays (timings)

Memory timings or memory latency are the time delays of a signal. Memory delays, in some way, affect the performance (bandwidth and access speed) of the RAM module as a whole. The lower the memory latency, the faster it can run. Memory timings are usually recorded as 2-2-2-6, each part of the recording corresponds to the signal delay of each of the main parameters. We will not go into the details of each of the processes right now, you just need to know that the lower the memory timings, the more productive it is (up to 10%).

For modern memory modules, its timings are not the main criterion, since processors working with DDR3 memory have a relatively large amount of cache memory of the second and third levels, which can significantly reduce the number of memory accesses and, in turn, reduces the value of memory delays. But despite this, timings still matter, and you can not ignore them when choosing a memory module.

RAM module manufacturer

Stability, quality, and to some extent the performance of RAM directly depend on the manufacturer. Not all RAM manufacturers make quality memory modules, and as a rule, a quality memory module costs a little more than the rest. Here are some well-known and good memory manufacturers at the moment: Transcend, Samsung, Kingston, OCZ. These are not the only manufacturers that make good memory, but by buying the memory of these manufacturers you do not risk buying a pig in a poke.

Overclocking

Most well-known manufacturers have overclocked RAM models. This, of course, gives a performance boost, but you should not significantly overpay for it, since you can overclock the RAM yourself. And besides, it will quickly lead her to death due to chip degradation. But if you still decide to choose an overclocked module, then please note that these memory modules must have cooling.

Cooling

If you plan to overclock your computer, including RAM, then it is advisable to choose a memory module that has cooling in the form of aluminum plates.

Don't forget to leave

RAM is used for temporary storage of data necessary for the operation of the operating system and all programs. There should be enough RAM, if it is not enough, then the computer starts to slow down.

A board with memory chips is called a memory module (or bar). Memory for a laptop, except for the size of the strips, is no different from memory for a computer, so follow the same recommendations when choosing.

For an office computer, one 4 GB DDR4 stick with a frequency of 2400 or 2666 MHz is enough (it costs almost the same).
RAM Crucial CT4G4DFS824A

For a multimedia computer (movies, simple games), it is better to take two DDR4 sticks with a frequency of 2666 MHz, 4 GB each, then the memory will work in a faster dual-channel mode.
RAM Ballistix BLS2C4G4D240FSB

For a mid-range gaming computer, you can take one 8 GB DDR4 bar with a frequency of 2666 MHz so that in the future you can add another one and better if it is a simpler running model.
RAM Crucial CT8G4DFS824A

And for a powerful gaming or professional PC, you need to immediately take a set of 2 DDR4 sticks of 8 GB each, while a frequency of 2666 MHz will be enough.

2. How much memory do you need

For an office computer designed to work with documents and access the Internet, one 4 GB memory bar is enough.

For a multimedia computer that can be used to watch high quality videos and undemanding games, 8 GB of memory is enough.

For a mid-range gaming computer, the minimum option is 8 GB of RAM.

A powerful gaming or professional computer requires 16 GB of memory.

More memory may be needed only for very demanding professional programs and is not needed by ordinary users.

Memory size for old PCs

If you decide to increase the amount of memory on an old computer, then please note that 32-bit versions of Windows do not support more than 3 GB of RAM. That is, if you install 4 GB of RAM, then the operating system will see and use only 3 GB.

As for 64-bit versions of Windows, they will be able to use all the installed memory, but if you have an old computer or have an old printer, then they may not have drivers for these OS. In this case, before buying memory, install 64-bit Windows version and check if everything works for you. I also recommend that you look at the website of the motherboard manufacturer and see how many modules and total memory it supports.

Also note that 64-bit operating systems consume 2 times more memory, for example, Windows 7 x64 takes about 800 MB for its needs. Therefore, 2 GB of memory for such a system will not be enough, preferably at least 4 GB.

Practice shows that modern operating rooms Windows systems 7,8,10 are fully revealed with a memory capacity of 8 GB. The system becomes more responsive, programs open faster, and jerks (freezes) disappear in games.

3. Types of memory

Modern memory is of the DDR SDRAM type and is constantly being improved. So DDR and DDR2 memory is already obsolete and can only be used on older computers. DDR3 memory is no longer advisable to use on new PCs, it has been replaced by a faster and more promising DDR4.

Please note that the selected memory type must be supported by the processor and motherboard.

Also, new processors, for compatibility reasons, can support DDR3L memory, which differs from regular DDR3 by a lower voltage from 1.5 to 1.35 V. Such processors will be able to work with regular DDR3 memory if you already have it, but processor manufacturers do not recommend this from - due to increased degradation of memory controllers designed for DDR4 with an even lower voltage of 1.2 V.

Memory type for old PCs

Legacy DDR2 memory is several times more expensive than more modern memory. A 2 GB DDR2 stick costs twice as much, and a 4 GB DDR2 stick costs 4 times as much as a DDR3 or DDR4 stick of the same size.

Therefore, if you want to significantly increase the memory on an old computer, then perhaps the best option would be to switch to a more modern platform with a replacement motherboard and, if necessary, a processor that will support DDR4 memory.

Calculate how much it will cost you, perhaps a profitable solution would be to sell an old motherboard with old memory and purchase new, albeit not the most expensive, but more modern components.

The motherboard connectors for installing memory are called slots.

Each type of memory (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4) has its own slot. DDR3 memory can only be installed in motherboard with DDR3 slots, DDR4 with DDR4 slots. Motherboards that support the old DDR2 memory are no longer produced.

5. Memory specifications

The main characteristics of memory, on which its performance depends, are the frequency and timings. Memory speed does not have such a strong effect on overall performance computer as a processor. However, you can often get faster memory for a fraction of the price. Fast memory is needed primarily for powerful professional computers.

5.1. Memory frequency

The frequency has the greatest effect on the speed of the memory. But before buying it, you need to make sure that the processor and motherboard also support the required frequency. Otherwise, the actual memory frequency will be lower and you will simply overpay for something that will not be used.

Inexpensive motherboards support a lower maximum memory frequency, such as 2400 MHz for DDR4. Medium and high-end motherboards may support higher frequency memory (3400-3600MHz).

But with processors, the situation is different. Older processors with DDR3 memory support may support memory with a maximum frequency of 1333, 1600 or 1866 MHz (depending on the model). For modern processors that support DDR4 memory, the maximum supported memory frequency may be 2400 MHz or higher.

6th generation Intel processors and above and AMD Ryzen processors support DDR4 memory at 2400 MHz or above. At the same time, in their model range there are not only powerful expensive processors, but also processors of the middle and budget class. Thus, you can build a computer on the most modern platform with an inexpensive processor and DDR4 memory, and in the future, change the processor and get the highest performance.

The main memory for today is DDR4 2400 MHz, which is supported by the most modern processors, motherboards and costs the same as DDR4 2133 MHz. Therefore, it makes no sense to purchase DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2133 MHz today.

What memory frequency is supported by a particular processor can be found on the manufacturers' websites:

by model number or serial number it is very easy to find all the characteristics of any processor on the site:

Or just enter the model number in search engine Google or Yandex (for example, "Ryzen 7 1800X").

5.2. high frequency memory

Now I want to touch on another interesting point. On sale you can find RAM at a much higher frequency than any modern processor supports (3000-3600 MHz and higher). Accordingly, many users are wondering how this can be?

It's all about the technology developed by Intel, eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP). XMP allows the memory to run at a higher frequency than the processor officially supports. XMP must be supported by both the memory itself and the motherboard. Memory with a high frequency simply cannot exist without the support of this technology, but not all motherboards can boast of its support. Basically, these are more expensive models above the middle class.

The essence of XMP technology is that the motherboard automatically increases the frequency of the memory bus, so that the memory starts to work at its higher frequency.

AMD has a similar technology called AMD Memory Profile (AMP) that was supported by older AMD motherboards. These motherboards usually supported XMP modules as well.

Buying more expensive memory with a very high frequency and an XMP-enabled motherboard makes sense for very powerful professional computers equipped with a top-end processor. In a middle-class computer, this will be money thrown to the wind, since everything will rest on the performance of other components.

In games, the memory frequency has little effect and there is no point in overpaying, it will be enough to take it at 2400 MHz, or at 2666 MHz if the price difference is small.

For professional applications, you can take a memory with a higher frequency - 2666 MHz, or if you want and funds allow for 3000 MHz. The difference in performance here is greater than in games, but not cardinal, so there is no point in overclocking the memory frequency.

Once again I remind you that your motherboard must support the memory of the required frequency. In addition, sometimes Intel processors become unstable at memory frequencies above 3000 MHz, while Ryzen has this limit around 2900 MHz.

Timings are delays between read/write/copy data operations in RAM. Accordingly, the smaller these delays, the better. But timings have a much smaller impact on the speed of the memory than its frequency.

There are only 4 main timings, which are indicated in the characteristics of memory modules.

Of these, the most important is the first digit, which is called latency (CL).

Typical latency for 1333 MHz DDR3 memory is CL 9, for higher clocked DDR3 memory CL 11.

Typical latency for 2133 MHz DDR4 memory is CL 15, for higher clocked DDR4 memory CL 16.

You should not buy memory with a latency higher than indicated, as this indicates a general low level of its technical characteristics.

Usually, memory with lower timings is more expensive, but if the difference in price is not significant, then memory with lower latency should be preferred.

5.4. Supply voltage

The memory can have a different supply voltage. It can be either standard (generally accepted for a certain type of memory), or increased (for enthusiasts), or vice versa, reduced.

This is especially important if you want to add more memory to your PC or laptop. In this case, the tension of the new strips should be the same as that of the existing ones. Otherwise, problems are possible, since most motherboards cannot set different voltages for different modules.

If the voltage is set to a bar with a lower voltage, then others may not have enough power and the system will not work stably. If the voltage is set to a bar with a higher voltage, then the memory designed for a lower voltage may fail.

If you are collecting new computer, then it is not so important, but to avoid possible problems compatibility with motherboard and replacement or expansion of memory in the future, it is better to choose brackets with a standard supply voltage.

The memory, depending on the type, has the following standard supply voltages:

• DDR - 2.5 V
• DDR2 - 1.8 V
• DDR3 - 1.5 V
• DDR3L - 1.35 V
• DDR4 - 1.2V

I think you noticed that DDR3L memory is on the list. This is not a new type of memory, but the usual DDR3, but with a reduced supply voltage (Low). This is the kind of memory that Intel processors 6th generation and above that support both DDR4 and DDR3 memory. But in this case, it is better to assemble the system on the new DDR4 memory.

6. Marking of memory modules

Memory modules are marked according to the type of memory and its frequency. The marking of DDR memory modules begins with PC, followed by a number indicating the generation and speed in megabytes per second (Mb / s).

This marking is inconvenient to navigate, it is enough to know the type of memory (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4), its frequency and latency. But sometimes, for example, on classifieds sites, you can see the markings rewritten from the bar. Therefore, so that you can navigate in this case, I will give the marking in classical form, indicating the type of memory, its frequency and typical latency.

DDR - obsolete

• PC-2100 (DDR 266 MHz) - CL 2.5
• PC-2700 (DDR 333 MHz) - CL 2.5
• PC-3200 (DDR 400 MHz) - CL 2.5

DDR2 - obsolete

• PC2-4200 (DDR2 533 MHz) - CL 5
• PC2-5300 (DDR2 667 MHz) - CL 5
• PC2-6400 (DDR2 800 MHz) - CL 5
• PC2-8500 (DDR2 1066 MHz) - CL 5

DDR3 - obsolete

• PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333 MHz) - CL 9
• PC3-12800 (DDR3 1600 MHz) - CL 11
• PC3-14400 (DDR3 1866 MHz) - CL 11
• PC3-16000 (DDR3 2000 MHz) - CL 11

• PC4-17000 (DDR4 2133 MHz) - CL 15
• PC4-19200 (DDR4 2400 MHz) - CL 16
• PC4-21300 (DDR4 2666 MHz) - CL 16
• PC4-24000 (DDR4 3000 MHz) - CL 16
• PC4-25600 (DDR4 3200 MHz) - CL 16

DDR3 and DDR4 memory may have a higher frequency, but only high-end processors and more expensive motherboards can work with it.

7. Design of memory modules

Memory sticks can be single-sided, double-sided, with or without heatsinks.

7.1. Chip placement

Chips on memory modules can be placed on one side of the board (single-sided) and on both sides (double-sided).

It doesn't matter if you are purchasing memory for a new computer. If you want to add memory to an old PC, then it is desirable that the location of the chips on the new bar is the same as on the old one. This will help avoid compatibility issues and increase the likelihood of memory running in dual-channel mode, which we will discuss later in this article.

Now on sale you can find a lot of memory modules with aluminum heatsinks of various colors and shapes.

The presence of heatsinks can be justified on DDR3 memory with a high frequency (1866 MHz or more), since it heats up more. At the same time, ventilation must be well organized in the case.

A modern DDR4 RAM with a frequency of 2400, 2666 MHz practically does not heat up and the radiators on it will be purely decorative. They can even interfere, because after a while they will become clogged with dust, which is difficult to clean out of them. In addition, such memory will cost a little more. So, if you want, you can save on this, for example, by taking Crucial's excellent 2400 MHz memory without heatsinks.

Memory with a frequency of 3000 MHz or more also has an increased supply voltage, but it also does not get very hot, and in any case it will have radiators.

8. Memory for laptops

Notebook memory differs from desktop memory only in the size of the memory module and is labeled SO-DIMM DDR. As well as for stationary computers, memory for laptops has the types DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4.

In terms of frequency, timings and voltage, memory for laptops does not differ from memory for computers. But laptops only come with 1 or 2 memory slots and have tighter limits on maximum capacity. Be sure to check these parameters before choosing a memory for specific model laptop.

9. Memory modes

Memory can operate in single channel (Single Channel), dual channel (Dual Channel), three-channel (Triple Channel) or four-channel mode (Quad Channel).

In single-channel mode, data is written sequentially to each module. In multichannel modes, data is written in parallel to all modules, which leads to a significant increase in the performance of the memory subsystem.

Single-channel memory mode is limited only by hopelessly outdated motherboards with DDR memory and the first models with DDR2.

All modern motherboards support dual-channel memory, and only a few very expensive motherboards support three-channel and four-channel memory.

The main condition for the dual-channel mode is the presence of 2 or 4 memory sticks. Three-channel mode requires 3 or 6 memory sticks, and four-channel mode requires 4 or 8 sticks.

It is desirable that all memory modules are the same. Otherwise, dual-channel operation is not guaranteed.

If you want to add memory to an old computer and your motherboard supports dual-channel mode, try to choose a bar that is as identical as possible in all respects. It is best to sell the old one and buy 2 new identical strips.

In modern computers, memory controllers have been moved from the motherboard to the processor. Now it is not so important that the memory modules are the same, since the processor in most cases will still be able to activate dual-channel mode. This means that if in the future you want to add memory to modern computer, then it will not necessarily look for exactly the same module, it is enough to choose the most similar in terms of characteristics. But still, I recommend that the memory modules be the same. This will give you a guarantee of its fast and stable operation.

With the transfer of memory controllers to the processor, 2 more modes of dual-channel memory operation appeared - Ganged (paired) and Unganged (unpaired). If the memory modules are the same, then the processor can work with them in Ganged mode, as before. If the modules differ in characteristics, then the processor can activate the Unganged mode to eliminate distortions in working with memory. In general, the speed of the memory in these modes is almost the same and does not make any difference.

The only downside to dual channel mode is that multiple memory modules are more expensive than one of the same size. But if you are not very tight on funds, then buy 2 bars, the memory speed will be much higher.

If you need, say, 16 GB of RAM, but you can't afford it yet, you can buy one 8 GB stick to add another one of the same in the future. But still, it is better to purchase two identical strips at once, since then you may not be able to find the same one and you will encounter a compatibility problem.

10. Manufacturers of memory modules

One of the best price / quality ratios today is the memory of the impeccably proven Crucial brand, which has modules from budget to gaming (Ballistix).

The well-deserved brand Corsair competes on a par with it, the memory of which is somewhat more expensive.

As an inexpensive but high-quality alternative, I especially recommend the Polish brand Goodram, which has bars with low timings for a low price (Play line).

For an inexpensive office computer, simple and reliable memory from AMD or Transcend will suffice. They have proven themselves perfectly and there are practically no problems with them.

In general, the Korean companies Hynix and Samsung are considered leaders in the production of memory. But now the modules of these brands are mass-produced in cheap Chinese factories, and there are a lot of fakes among them. Therefore, I do not recommend purchasing the memory of these brands.

An exception may be Hynix Original and Samsung Original memory modules, which are made in Korea. These planks are usually blue in color and are considered to be of better quality than those made in China and have a somewhat higher warranty. But in terms of speed characteristics, they are inferior to memory with lower timings from other quality brands.

Well, for enthusiasts and fans of modding, there are available overclocker brands GeIL, G.Skill, Team. Their memory is characterized by low timings, high overclocking potential, unusual appearance and costs a little less than the hyped Corsair brand.

There is also a large assortment of memory modules on sale from the very popular manufacturer Kingston. Memory sold under the budget Kingston brand has never been of high quality. But they have a top HyperX series, which is well-deservedly popular, which can be recommended for purchase, but it is often overpriced.

11. Memory packaging

It is better to purchase memory in individual packaging.

It is usually of higher quality and is much less likely to be damaged in transit than unpackaged memory.

12. Increase memory

If you are planning to add memory to an existing computer or laptop, first find out what the maximum number of sticks and the total amount of memory your motherboard or laptop supports.

Also check how many memory slots are on the motherboard or in the laptop, how many of them are occupied and what brackets are installed in them. Better to do it visually. Open the case, take out the memory sticks, examine them and write down all the characteristics (or take a photo).

If for some reason you do not want to go into the case, then you can see the memory parameters in the program on the SPD tab. Thus, you will not recognize a single-sided bar or a double-sided one, but you can find out the characteristics of the memory if there is no sticker on the bar.

There is a base and effective memory frequency. The CPU-Z program and many similar ones show the base frequency, it must be multiplied by 2.

After you know how much memory you can increase, how many free slots and what memory you have installed, you can begin to explore the possibilities of increasing memory.

If all the memory slots are occupied, then the only way to increase the memory is to replace the existing strips with new larger ones. And the old strips can be sold on the classifieds site or exchanged at a computer store when buying new ones.

If there are free slots, then you can add new ones to the existing memory strips. At the same time, it is desirable that the new strips be as close as possible in terms of characteristics to those already installed. In this case, you can avoid various compatibility issues and increase the chances that the memory will work in dual-channel mode. To do this, the following conditions must be met, in order of importance.

1. The memory type must match (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4).
2. The supply voltage of all strips must be the same.
3. All slats must be single sided or double sided.
4. The frequency of all bars must match.
5. All strips must be of the same volume (for dual-channel mode).
6. The number of bars must be even: 2, 4 (for two-channel mode).
7. It is desirable that the latency (CL) match.
8. It is desirable that the bars are from the same manufacturer.

The easiest way to start the choice is with the manufacturer. Choose in the catalog of the online store strips of the same manufacturer, volume and frequency as you have installed. Make sure that the supply voltage matches and check with the consultant whether they are single-sided or double-sided. If the latency also coincides, then it's generally good.

If you couldn't find similar strips from the same manufacturer, then choose all the others from the list of recommended ones. Then again look for the strips of the required volume and frequency, check the supply voltage and specify whether they are single-sided or double-sided. If you could not find similar planks, then look in another store, catalog or classifieds site.

Always the best way is to sell all the old memory and buy 2 new identical strips. If the motherboard does not support the required size brackets, you may have to buy 4 identical brackets.

13. Setting up filters in the online store

1. Go to the "RAM" section on the seller's website.
2. Select recommended manufacturers.
3. Select form factor (DIMM - PC, SO-DIMM - laptop).
4. Select the type of memory (DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4).
5. Select the required amount of strips (2, 4, 8 GB).
6. Select the maximum frequency supported by the processor (1600, 1866, 2133, 2400 MHz).
7. If your motherboard supports XMP, add a higher frequency memory (2666, 3000 MHz) to your selection.
8. Sort the selection by price.
9. Sequentially view all positions, starting with the cheapest ones.
10. Choose a few bars that match the frequency.
11. If the price difference is acceptable to you, go for the higher frequency, lower latency (CL) sticks.

Thus, you will get the optimal price / quality / speed memory for the lowest possible cost.

14. Links

RAM Corsair CMK16GX4M2A2400C16
RAM Corsair CMK8GX4M2A2400C16
RAM Crucial CT2K4G4DFS824A