DRAM and SRAM; is the price difference worth it or is DRAM just a fad?

Question

Here's what I think I know:

RAM stores every bit of memory in it's own little special spot. In DRAM there is one transistor per bit, in SRAM there are six per bit. Hearing that, I assume that DRAM is more effecient, but I don't know.

I also have no idea what "clock spead is"
And isn't Double Data Rate SDRAM going to be like the RAM God?

Anyway, here's what my problem is:
I got this new computer and it only has 256MB of RAM. I got this computer to replace the computer I have now. The one I have now has an entire gig of memory. I have no idea what type of RAM my old computer takes but the new one only accepts PC800. And many places don't carry PC800, and the places that do sell it for $300 for every 512. AND My computer only takes it in groups of 2. So I would need to spend $600 for a gig of ram or I could find 2 256MB and spend about $400 for half a gig.
Oh yah, and the new computer, every memory module must be the same amount. And right now there are 2 256mbs
LAME!

Answer 1

RD RAM was indeed pretty much a fad. It was faster than the older SD RAM but Rambus, the developers of RD RAM, dropped the ball and it quickly dropped in favour for the new (and current) DDR RAM standard. This 'new' machine of yours must be pretty old to be taking PC800 RD RAM but, sadly, if the mobo needs RD RAM then you're screwed, that's what you must give it. And the fact that there's no market (thus no demand) for RD RAM these days is what pushes the prices up to the stupid amounts you're seeing.

Personally I'd advise just getting a whole new machine, the one you're talking about must be pretty old and crappy anyway, and God knows you could get a better machine for the same amount of cash you'd need to spend getting a decent chunk of RDRAM for this again beast. It just doesn't make financial sense.

Answer 2

First... SDRAM and DRAM are the same. the S stands for synchronous, being that they run off of an external clock signal. Being synchronized, they don't have to wait for the CPU and vice versa.

I have no idea where you hear about "six bits". That's total nonsense. Nor do you really need to know what a clock spread is. Perhaps you mean clock SPEED? That's the speed of that external clock signal I was talking about earlier.

And yes, DDR SDRAM can transmitt twice the data of regular SDRAM.

First of all, neither SDRAM nor DDR SDRAM use the designation PC800. The only one that I know that use "PC800" memory is RAMBUS, which is yet another type of memory, and being rare, they are expensive.

But that's not a "problem", is it? This is not a chat board.

Answer 3

I think you are refering to RDRAM which is very expensive ram. It is faster that the newer DDR or DDR2 but it never took hold on the computer market.. You can get a PC800 1GB (2*512mb) sticks on ebay for around $175-$225. Before you do that I would looking into parting the old machine out and selling it off for parts you could probably get more for the parts that the whole...Thanks

Answer 4

SRAM is faster and more efficient in many ways than DRAM. However, performance is not the main difference between the two. The true disparity between the two lies in their use of power and their memory refresh rates and methods. SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) stores its data effortlessly as long as a continuous power supply is provided (hence the "static" in the name). DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is comprised of capacitors which slowly "leak" their electric charge, causing them to slowly lose data integrity.

Since you are wanting RAM for what appears to be a personal desktop computer, SRAM would probably be a little overkill for what you are doing. As you mentioned in your question, DDR SDRAM is very good at handling whatever programs you throw at it. If you are really looking for a truly speedy computing experience, however, I would recommend upgrading to a system that uses the new DDR2 SDRAM, as it is much faster. PC 800 RAM is slowly slipping into ancient history (not only that, but it is highly proprietary and is limited technology). Also, it sounds like you are already upset at the constraints your "new" computer has placed on you. Whenever you are able to, I would recommend purchasing a new computer.

Remember, owning technology is supposed to be a freeing experience, not a pain in the neck.

Answer 5

take one stick out of each compare them if they look the same switch them out . if the computer wont but up then you know the ram wont work.but switch the ram in pairs .