System Memory Flashcards
Used to load applications and files into a non-persistent and fast storage area
RAM (Random Access Memory)
High-speed memory
Cache
Mass storage device that holds more data but is slower than a cache (such as hard drives, USB drives, and DVD)
Storage
Pulls the files from the disc into memory and replaces the old file
Disk Cache
Processor reaching the files inside RAM
Addressing Memory
32-bit (x86) processor RAM GB max limit
4 GB
Can put any size of module in any slot
(such as a 4GB and a 8GB making 12GB)
Single Bank
Requires installation of banks in pairs
(such as a 4GB and 4 GB making 8GB)
Paired Bank
DDR stand for?
Dual Data Rate
DDR types (3)
DDR3
DDR4
DDR5
Calculated based on the bus speed and the width of the data bus
Throughput
Oldest type of memory that requires frequent refresh (dynamic storage cell)
DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
Solved the issue of the constant refresh in DRAM, but was expensive
SRAM (Static RAM)
First memory module that operates at the same speed as the motherboard bus
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)
Doubles the transfer speed of an SRAM module (184-pin connector)
DDR SDRAM
(Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
Higher latency and has faster access to the external bus (240-pin connector)
DDR2 SDRAM
(Double Data Rate 2 Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
Runs at a lower voltage and at a higher speed than DDR2 (240 keyed pin connector)
DDR3 SDRAM
(Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
DDR version that has 6.4 to 17 GB/s of throughput 8GB per module
DDR3
DDR version that has 12.8 to 25.6 GB/s of throughput 32GB per module
DDR4
DDR version that has 38.4 to 51.2 GB/s of throughput 128GB per module
DDR5
What are the 2 things to be aware of when it comes to buying memory modules for your motherboard?
1) Speed
2) Keying
True or False? A mix and match of modules is possible with the same type with different speeds
True
Classified as DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5 for a laptop (smaller device)
SODIMM
(Small Office Dual In-line Memory Module)
Uses two different memory modules to increase the performance and throughput
Multi-Channel Memory
4 types of memory channels
1) Single-channel
2) Dual-channel
3) Triple-channel
4) Quad-channel
Memory channel that uses one memory module on one bus (64-bit data bus)
Single-Channel
Memory channel that requires 2 memory modules and 2 memory slots on the motherboard (128-bit data bus)
Dual-Channel
Memory channel that uses 3 memory modules and 3 memory slots (192-bit data bus)
Triple-Channel
Memory channel that uses 4 memory modules and 4 memory slots (256-bit data bus)
Quad-Channel
Why are multiple modules beneficial? (2)
1) Faster speeds
2) Adds memory for storage
Standard memory that does not check errors and allows data to be put in or taken out at will
Non-Parity Memory
Performs basic error checking and ensures the memory contents are reliable and have integrity
Parity Memory
ECC stand for?
Error Correcting Code
Detects and corrects an error
ECC (Error Correcting Code)
Additional hardware (register) between memory and CPU
Buffered / Registered Memory
Space on a hard drive that is allocated by the OS and pretends to be memory
Virtual Memory / Page File
What is Virtual Memory referred to as on a Windows vs. Linux/Mac system?
Page file (Windows)
Swap Space (Linux Unix/Mac)
You are building a new server and want to ensure that its memory can allow the server to continue working even if there is an issue that corrupts data held within the memory modules. Which of the following types of memory should you select for the server?
a) Non-parity
b) Single-channel
c) ECC
d) Dual-channel
c) ECC
ECC memory is designed to detect and correct errors in data stored in memory, which helps ensure that data corruption doesn’t cause the system to crash or produce incorrect results. This is especially important in servers and critical systems, where reliability and data integrity are paramount.
The other options are not ideal for this scenario:
a) Non-parity memory doesn’t have the error-detecting or error-correcting capabilities of ECC, so it cannot automatically correct any errors that might occur.
b) Single-channel and d) Dual-channel refer to how the memory modules are configured to communicate with the memory controller. While dual-channel memory can improve performance by increasing bandwidth, it doesn’t offer any data protection like ECC does.
In summary, ECC memory is the best choice for ensuring that your server can handle memory errors without risking data corruption.
You are troubleshooting a workstation with four identical memory sticks installed, one in each of the slots labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4. The motherboard has a marking near the memory slots that says, “quad-channel support.” Based on what you observe, how many channels are being used by the motherboard’s memory?
a) One channel
b) Two channels
c) Three channels
d) Four channels
d) Four channels
Which of the following types of memory relies on temporary storage space on the hard drive that is used when there is insufficient physical memory available to perform a given task?
a) VRAM
b) SODIMM
c) Virtual Memory
d) ECC
c) Virtual Memory
Virtual memory is an area on the hard disk allocated to contain pages of memory. When the operating system doesn’t have sufficient physical memory (RAM) to perform a task, pages of memory are swapped to the paging file. This frees physical RAM to enable the task to be completed. When the paged RAM is needed again, it is re-read into memory. VRAM (video RAM) refers to any type of random access memory (RAM) specifically used to store image data for a computer display.
