Category Archives: Memory

Questions and answers about computer RAM memory

How much RAM Memory can I install in my Windows computer? What does it depend on?

Posted on August 3, 2020 by quill

Your computer has a certain number of sockets for memory on its logic board. That will define how many modules can be installed. The machine will also have a maximum RAM module size that can be addressed. In most cases, … Continue reading →

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Q. Overclocking RAM, what does that mean?

Posted on March 11, 2020 by quill

Q. I have heard of overclocking RAM – Is this possible at all? A. Yes, a computer has a standard memory speed it is designed for, and it is possible to increase the memory speed, if your memory and computer … Continue reading →

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Q. Do I upgrade my Drive or my RAM?

Posted on March 7, 2020 by quill

Q. What is better, a SSD Drive upgrade versus a RAM upgrade? A. It depends a lot on what you are doing with your computer, whether you have an adequate amount of either right now, and what your goals are. … Continue reading →

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Q. Why do I have to install my RAM modules in pairs?

Posted on March 1, 2020 by quill

Q. Why do I have to install my computer memory modules in pairs? A. Normally a motherboard addresses memory through a 64 bit data channel. When a computer motherboard is designed to use Dual Channel memory access, it can address … Continue reading →

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Q. Why can you sometimes upgrade RAM to more than the manufacturer suggested?

Posted on February 21, 2020 by quill

1. How is that I can install more memory on my Apple machine than Apple supports? A. When manufacturers release a machine, the manuals are written with the available information at that time – for example, a machine may be … Continue reading →

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Q. Why does my DDR4 memory show as 1333 MHz in my motherboard when it is supposed to be 2666 MHz?

Posted on February 15, 2020 by quill

A. The RAM is DDR4-2666 MT/s memory. MegaHertz (MHz) means the measure of clock frequency in million cycles per second.Mega Transactions per Second (MT/s) means the computer transaction rate in million per second DDR means Double Data Rate. DDR memory … Continue reading →

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Q. Can I put Quad Channel RAM into a Dual Channel machine?

Posted on February 14, 2020 by quill

A. Single or dual or quad channel memory access doesn’t have anything to do with the individual RAM modules — an individual RAM DIMM is the same whether it is sold alone, or in a package of 2 or 4 … Continue reading →

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Q: What does “swap memory” do that physical RAM memory in a computer can’t do?

Posted on December 17, 2019 by quill

A: It can be bigger. Swap files on the computer’s hard drive are there for when you don’t have enough physical RAM, so the operating systems swaps data out of RAM space and writes a file on storage, to free … Continue reading →

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RyZen and DDR4 Memory – what to look for

Posted on September 10, 2019 by quill

AMD’s RyZen and RyZen third generation (Zen2) CPUs have rewritten the conventional wisdom around computer processors, the one that goes “Intel is the performance and innovation leader, and AMD follows behind with lower performance chips for the budget market”. The … Continue reading →

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iMac 2019 Memory configuration

Posted on September 4, 2019 by quill

The 27 inch iMac for 2019 (5K, 2019) introduced DDR4 memory at the 2666 MHz speed, and an upper limit of 128 GB RAM. DDR4-2666 (PC4-21300) non ECC SODIMMs. Apple originally stated a 64 GB limit, however 32 GB modules … Continue reading →

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DDR4 memory makes its debut

Posted on April 28, 2015 by quill

DDR4 memory starts shipping for desktop machines and servers. Through the years, the DDR Memory standard has been updated to DDR2, DDR3 and now DDR4 (JEDEC Satandard JESD79-4). It’s worthwhile to note that despite sharing the DDR name, each of these … Continue reading →

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Q. How do I add memory to an Apple Mac Pro tower?

Posted on January 27, 2014 by quill

There are three main generations of Mac Pro machines, each generation has particular RAM types and installation procedures The models from 2006 to early 2008 use FB-DIMMs with large heatsinks in 667 MHz and 800 MHz. These models have two … Continue reading →

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Glossary of memory terms and definitions

Posted on August 9, 2012 by quill

Types of RAM: Memory Terminology: This is a simplified overview of RAM terms and definitions 100 pin memoryUsed primarily in laser printers, 100 pin SIMM memory is not compatible with other formats. CAS Latency:To oversimplify a complex discussion, the main … Continue reading →

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Q. What is Dual Channel memory?

Posted on August 9, 2012 by quill

Dual Channel memory access is a technique where the computer’s memory controller can access two identical memory modules as if they were one large module.  This gives a theoretical doubling of bandwidth between the memory controller and the memory.  In … Continue reading →

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Q. What Memory and Drives fit my MacBook Air?

Posted on June 12, 2012 by quill

Apple MacBook Air machines feature Intel processors and an exceedingly thin Aluminum body. None of the MacBook Airs have internal optical drives, Apple sells an external USB Superdrive (make sure to check compatibility with your MacBook Air when buying a … Continue reading →

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