Difference in computer memory?

brettw22
brettw22 Posts: 7,623
edited March 2024 in Clubhouse Archives
To those who are savy about this stuff.....

I need to get some memory for my laptop, but what's the difference between SDRAM and SODIMM? I'm looking at a few places and see that the SODIMM is priced lower than the SDRAM.......why?
comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited March 2005
    Here is a site that will provide the definition.

    Memory Terms Glossary
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    OK, but from a performance perspective, they shouldn't be different? That was ultimately my original question.
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by brettw22
    OK, but from a performance perspective, they shouldn't be different? That was ultimately my original question.

    I'm pretty sure SODIMM refers to the form factor (as in, small, deisgned for a laptop) whereas SDRAM is a technology - as in "Synchronous... uh... something random access memory".

    Chances are your SODIMMs are actually SDRAM in a SODIMM format, so comparing them... pretty much makes no sense.

    I'm 90% sure that what I just said is true... :)

    EDIT : the D stands for "Dynamic." Had to look taht up, it was driving me nuts.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    Hmmmm...odd.

    The only reason that I asked was Toshiba's website offers the 2 different memory types for this model laptop, with the price being $75 higher on the SDRAM vs. the SODIMM.

    I called Tosh's tech support and they told me to call Kingston......blah.

    I was just thinking it's a performance thing, because their website shouldn't give me standard memory options for a laptop, and the price difference between the notebook and standard memory would be MUCH greater than $75.
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    You're thinking about this all wrong. Think of the DIMM as the chassis and the RAM (SDRAM, DDR, etc.) is what goes on the DIMM, that you slide into your computer.

    Regards,
    Polk "Got my first 'computer license' at age 10 in 1983" Thug
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by bobman1235
    EDIT : the D stands for "Dynamic." Had to look taht up, it was driving me nuts.

    Actually, it stands for "Dual". Before there were DIMM's there were SIMM's. SIMM = Single Inline Memory Module, DIMM = Dual Inline Memory Module.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by bobman1235
    I'm pretty sure SODIMM refers to the form factor (as in, small, deisgned for a laptop)

    This is true, SO = Small Outline (smaller form for laptops).
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    OK, so what's the difference between THIS and THIS?
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by brettw22
    OK, so what's the difference between THIS and THIS?

    Ironically, the more expensive one is for a slower motherboard.

    They are both 1GB DDR SDRAM SODIMM's.

    One is for 2700 333 (faster front side bus), and the other is for 2100 266.

    Regards,
    PT
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    The 2700 and 2100 that you're talking about aren't referring to the PC2100 type, are they? (i don't see a differentiation between the two on those pages)
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Yep, looks like they got a typo, they say 2.1gHz bandwidth on both pages, one should say 2.7.

    2100 = 2.1
    2700 = 2.7
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    OK....so as long as I order PD2100 SDRAM i'll be good (in SODIMM form)
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by brettw22
    OK....so as long as I order PD2100 SDRAM i'll be good (in SODIMM form)

    The important question is what is the front-side bus (FSB) of your laptop? (ie 266, 333, 400)
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    Just looked at the specs HERE and it appears that it's 800.......though I don't know if I'm looking at the right thing.
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Okay, go with the faster one (PC2700/333):

    http://www.memoryx.net/ktt33111g.html
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    Wow.......the memory game I don't get........

    I thought that the 2100/2700 numbers indicated some sort of size of the chipset.

    I guess it can't ever hurt to give it faster memory than it would typically run (like giving a 100wpc speaker a 200wpc amp), but it just won't utilize all that the memory itself is capable of, right?
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    The front side bus is like a highway between your RAM and your CPU and a couple other things (depending on layout).

    Your highway can let cars go 400MPH, the PC2100 limits the cars to 266MPH, and the PC2700 will let them go 333MPH.

    Regards,
    PT
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited March 2005
    Where in that pdf did you see that my pc was 400 FSB?

    EDIT: If my PC does have the 400FSB, wouldn't I be even better off by going with PC3200 DIMMS?
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by brettw22
    Where in that pdf did you see that my pc was 400 FSB?

    EDIT: If my PC does have the 400FSB, wouldn't I be even better off by going with PC3200 DIMMS?

    I was guestimating. On the Toshiba site, the 333 stuff comes up as compatible, so that would be the safest bet. Try to ask them if PC3200/400 is compatible with your model.

    Marketing seems to have a hand in this, they advertise an "800" bus on the PSB, but fail to mention the bus speed for the RAM.
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter