Is there a difference between computer RAM or is RAM just RAM?

Question

By differences I mean like is some better than others. I need DDR and I've seen some "high" and "low density" RAMs but is there a difference in operating speeds? If so which is faster?

Answer 1

DDR (184 pins) come in 200, 266, 333 and 400mhz speeds. More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM
There are value offerings and high performance offerings. The latter have low latency and tighter timings, thus better performance.

Answer 2

The general consensus seems to be that High Density is typically slower than Low Density at the same rated clock speed, e.g, PC3200 DDR 400. You will also find some who say that the speeds are the same, but as mentioned, you hear more bad than good. It can also be less compatible with certain systems than Low Density. (You might find compatibility rates between 10% and 75% on the web). Generally, Low Density is 100% compatible, so be sure to know what you are getting into before you decide. Check your mobo specs and do your research.

There are also differences in quality and that's generally reflected in the price. (Think, "You get what you pay for" in this area). High Density RAM will almost always be much cheaper and look like a bargain. I only use Atlas Precision memory and might pay $30-$40 more, on average, per stick depending on Mb/Gb size. Personally, I think it's worth the extra money because I know I can depend on the performance and compatibility is guaranteed. If something does happen to go wrong, the memory is guaranteed for life, so you have no worries.

I've had just about every other component fail in a computer over the years except for the RAM, so I can draw the conclusion that high quality at the cost of a higher price is worth it. RAM is among the biggest factors in your computer's performance if you are looking for speed and stability. Speed won't matter if your cheap RAM causes crashes and instability.

Answer 3

There are different types of ram there are two main ones DDR and DDR2.

DDR2 is faster then DDR, for example both may be 512 MB of RAM but one has a faster response time then the other.

Answer 4

I'll leave this for the hardware fanatics to answer in detail - but yes, there are many different kinds of RAM and they vary significantly in speed.

Answer 5

Usually the type of RAM you use is going to be dictated by your motherboard. If you know what mobo you have, check the specs for it to see what kind of memory it takes. Alternatively companies like Crucial ( http://www.crucial.com ), Kingston ( http://www.kingston.com ) or other memory sellers have memory picker tools on their website that will tell you what your computer or motherboard can take.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Depends on your motherboard/manufacturer, and the type and speed have got to match.