Chapter 4 - Supporting Processors & Upgrading Memory

Which CL number is better CL2 or CL5

*CL2 is better (CAS Latency) (Column Access Strobe) or CL *A lower CL number is better than a higher number *Ads for memory modules might give a CAS Latency value within a series of timing number, such as 5-5-5-15. The first value is the CAS Latency, which means the module is a CL5. The second value is the RAS Latency (Row Access Strobe) or RL.

Multiprocessing abilities. The ability of a system to do more than one thing at a time is accomplished by several means:

*Multiprocessing: Two processing units (called arithmetic logic units or ALUs) installed within a single processor is called multiprocessing. The Pentium was the first processor that contained two ALUs, which means the processor can execute two instructions at the same time. *Multithreading: Each processor or core processes two threads at the same time. When Windows hands off a task to the CPU it is called a thread and might involve several instructions. To handle two threads, the processor requires extra registers, or holding areas, within the processor housing it uses to switch between threads. In effect, you have two logical processors for each physical processor or core. Intel calls this technology Hyper-Threading and AMD calls it HyperTransport. The feature must be enabled in UEFI/BIOS setup and the OS must support the technology. *Multicore Processing: Multiple processors can be installed in the same processor housing (called multicore processing). A processor package might contain up to eight cores (dual-core, triple-core, quad-core, and so forth). Using multithreading, each core can handle two threads. Therefore, the processor appears to have up to eight logical processors as it can handle eight threads from the OS for a quad-core processor. *Dual processors: A server motherboard might have two processor sockets, called dual processors or multiprocessor platform. A processor (for example, the Xeon processor for servers) must support this feature.

What are some factors that affect the capacity, features, and performance of DIMMs?

*number of channels *how much RAM is on one DIMM *The speed *Error-checking abilities *Buffing

Windows 7 and Window 8 need at least ____ ram.

2 GB

What is maximum RAM limit for a 32-bit OS?

4 GB

Intel makes several _____ processors for workstations or servers that use fully implements _____ processing, including the Itanium and Xeon processors. Intel called the technology IA64.

64-bit Processors. Also, called x64 processors. They require a 64-bit OS and can handle 32-bit applications only by simulating 32-bit processing.

DIMMs use a ______ data path.

64-bit data path *Some early DIMMs had a 128-bit data path, but they're now obsolete.

What is the data path size for ECC ram?

72 bits *The extra 8 bits are used for error checking.

To calculate the PC rating for DDR DIMM, multiply the speed by ____ bytes because DIMM has an ____ byte or 64-bit data path.

8 bytes For example, a DDR DIMM that runs at 800 MHz has a bandwidth or transfer rat of 800x8 or 6400 MB/second, which is expressed as a PC rating of PC6400

One or more _____ do all logical comparisons and calculation inside the processor. All desktop and laptop processor sold today contain two of these in each processor core within the processor package.

ALU (arithmetic logic units)

Since the Pentium processor was first released in 1993, the standard has been for a processor core to have two _______ so that it can process two instructions at once.

ALU (arithmetic logic units)

How does DIMM (dual inline memory module) get its name?

Because DIMMs have independent pins on opposite side of the module.

What should you consider when replacing a CPU in a laptop?

Before replacing a CPU in a laptop, consider the laptop might be under warranty. Also, it might be more cost effective to replace the laptop rather than replace the CPU. If you do replace the CPU in a laptop, be sure to select a processor supported by the laptop manufacture for the particular model laptop. The range of processors supported by a laptop does not usually include as many options as those supported by a desktop.

If you purchase a processor with a cooler it's called a _____ processor.

Boxed processor

_______ & _______ hold data and amplify a signal just before the data is written to the module.

Buffers & Registers *Using buffers is an older technology than registers. *Some DIMMs use buffers, registers, or neither.

Two other memory features are ______ latency and _____ latency, which are two ways of measuring access timing. Both features refer to the number of clock cycles it takes to write or read a column or row of data off a memory module

CAS Latency (column access strobe) or CL *is used more than RAS Latency *Lower values are better than higher once. For example, CL8 is a little faster than CL9. RAS Latency (row access strobe) or RL

Some of the Intel mobile processors are packaged in the ______ processor technology. Using this technology, the Intel processor, chipset, and wireless network adapter are all interconnected as a unit, which improves laptop performance.

Centrino

When you look at a motherboard, you might notice the DIMM slows are different colors. This color coding is use to identify the _______ each slot uses. _____ have to do with how many DIMM slots the memory controller can address at a time.

Channel

How do you access msinfo32 on Windows 7?

Click START and type msinfo32 in the SEARCH BOX.

184-pin ____ DIMM can support dual channels or function as a single DIMM. It has one offset notch.

DDR

____ runs twice as fast as regular SDRAM, has one notch and uses 184 pins?

DDR SDRAM, SDRAM II, DDR (Double Data Rate) *Instead of processing data for each beat of the system clock, as regular SDRAM does, it processes data when the beat rises and again when it falls, doubling the data rate of memory. Example, I a motherboard runs at 200 MHz DDR memory runs at 400 MHz.

240 pin ____ DIMM can support dual channels or function as a single DIMM. It has one notch near the center of the edge connector.

DDR2

What two _______ SO-DIMM memory modules have 200-pins and is 2.66"

DDR2 SDRAM DDR SDRAM

_____ DIMM can support quad, triple, or dual channels or function as a single DIMM. It has 240 pins, It has an offset notch farther from the center than DDR2.

DDR3

_______ SO-DIMM memory has 240-pins and is 2.66"

DDR3 *DDR3L SO-DIMM uses less power than a regular DDR3 SO-DIMM

_____ DIMM is currently the fastest memory with lower voltage requirements. It has 288 pins, It can support quad or dual channels or function as a single DIMM. It has one notch near the center of the edge connector.

DDR4

_______ SO-DIMM memory has 260-pins and is 2.74"

DDR4

All new motherboards for desktops sold today use what type of memory module?

DIMM (dual inline memory module)

AMD's FX, Phenom, Athlon, Sempron, A Series, E Series are for desktops or laptops?

Desktops

Some double-sides DIMMs provide more than one bank, which means the chips on the DIMM are grouped so that the memory controller addresses on group and the addresses another group. These DIMMs are said to be _____________, and don't perform as well as DIMMs where all the memory is addressed at one time.

Dual Ranked memory

______ memory modules that might be used on a motherboard include DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or DDR.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Memory on the motherboard loses data rapidly and must be refreshed often. It is, therefore, called volatile memory or ____________________.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM). SRAM is faster than DRAM because it doesn't need refreshing; it can hold its data as long as power is available.

Because DIMMs intended to be used on servers must be extremely reliable, _____________ technology is sometimes used.

ECC (error-correcting code) *DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 support ECC.

Does ECC memory cost more than non-ECC?

ECC memory costs more but is more reliable than non-ECC memory.

eXecute Disable (XD) by Intel, Enhanced Virus Protection by AMD, and disable execute bit by CompTIA is called _________ __________ _____?

Execute Disable Bit (EDB) Is security built into a processor so that it can work with the OS to designate an area of memory for holding data or instructions. When an area is designated for data, instructions stored in this area are not executed, thus preventing a buffer overflow attack by malicious software, which attempts to run its code from an area of memory assigned to another program for its data. EDB require a compatible OS. You can enable EDB using the BIOS/ UEFI setup screen. It is important to remember that even though EDB can stop malware from executing, it cannot remove it. You still need to use anti-malware software to remove the malware.

All desktop and laptop processors sold today from either AMD or Intel are ________ processors, which can process 64 bits or 32 bits at a time. A _________ processor can use a 32 bit operating system or 64 bit OS.

Hybrid processors can use a 32 bit operating system or 64 bit OS.

A ______ unit manages data and instructions entering and leaving the processor.

I/O unit (input/output)

L1, L2, L3, L4 is an example of what kind of memory? It holds data and instructions waiting to be processed by the ALU.

Internal memory cache And is static ram (SRAM)

_______ is the organization responsible for standards used by solid-state devices, including RAM technologies.

JEDEC www.jedec.org *The goal of each new RAM technology approved by JEDEC is to increase speed & performance with greatly increasing the cost.

AMD's Athlon, Turion, V Series, Phenom, Sempron are for desktops or laptops?

Laptops

Memory in the processor package, but no on the processor die is called _________?

Level 2 cache (L2 cache)

Some processors use a third memory cache farther from the processor core, but still in the processor package, which is called __________.

Level 3 cache (L3 cache)

DIMM speeds are measured in ______?

MHz such as 1333 MHz or 800 MHz

Level 1 cache (L1 cache) is an example of what?

Memory cache, which is the amount of memory included on the processor die.

Subnotebook computers use what kind of memory module that are smaller than laptop modules?

MicroDIMM smaller than SO-DIMMS

Intel calls this technology Hyper-Threading and AMD calls it HyperTransport.

Multithreading: Each processor or core processes two threads at the same time. When Windows hands off a task to the CPU it is called a thread and might involve several instructions. To handle two threads, the processor requires extra registers, or holding areas, within the processor housing it uses to switch between threads. In effect, you have two logical processors for each physical processor or core. Intel calls this technology Hyper-Threading and AMD calls it HyperTransport. The feature must be enabled in UEFI/BIOS setup and the OS must support the technology.

Can you mix ECC and non-ECC memory on a motherboard?

No

Does a second pair of DIMMs in a dual channel setup have to match the other pair?

No. The second pair of DIMMs do not have to match the fist pair of DIMMs because the first channel runs independently of the second channel.

Are DDR2 and DDR3 compatible?

No. because their notches are not in the same position, and the different notch positions keep someone from installing a DDR2 or DDR3 DIMM in the wrong memory slot.

A DIMM normally has an even number of chips on the module, but a DIMM that supports ECC has an ____ number of chips on the module.

Odd *The odd extra chip is the ECC chip. *For ECC to work, the motherboard and all installed modules must support it.

A ____ rating on DIMMs is a measure of the total bandwidth in MB/second of data moving between the module and the CPU.

PC rating such as PC6400

Older SIMMs used an error-checking technology called ______. I

Parity *Using parity checking, a ninth bit is stored with every 8 bits in a byte. *If memory is using odd parity, it makes the ninth or parity bit either a 1 or a 0, to make the number of 1s in the nine bits odd. *If using even parity, it makes the parity bit a 1 or 0 to make the number of 1s in the 9 bits even. *If the number of bits is not an odd number for odd parity or even for even parity, a "parity error" occurs. A "parity error" always causes the system to halt. On the screen, you see the error message "Parity Error 1" or "Parity Error 2" or a similar error message about parity. *Parity Error 1: is a parity on the motherboard. *Parity Error 2: is a parity error on an expansion card. *EDO (extended data out) is a technology used by SIMMs)

Parity Error 1 means an error on what?

Parity Error 1: is a parity on the motherboard.

Parity Error 2 means an error on what?

Parity Error 2: is a parity error on an expansion card.

What type of old memory module was designed by Rambus, Inc.?

RIMM

RAM stands for what?

Random Access Memory *Temporarily holds data and instructions as the CPU processes them and that the memory modules used on a motherboard are made of dynamic RAM or DRAM. *DRAM loses its data rapidly, and the memory controller must refresh it several thousand times a second.

_______, which are small holding areas on the processor chip, work much like RAM does outside the processor to hold counters, data, instructions, and addresses that the ALU is currently processing.

Registers

How do you access msinfo32 on Windows 8?

Right click START, click RUN, and then type msinfo32

168-pin _______ DIMM has two notches on the module. The position of these notches depend on the memory features the DIMM uses.

SDRAM

Really older computers used _______ memory modules. You're likely to never see these modules working today.

SIMM (single inline memory modules)

Laptops use what kind of DIMM?

SO-DIMM (small outline DIMM)

Today's laptops use DDR4, DDR3L, DDR3, or DDR2 memory modules called _________.

SO-DIMM (small outline DIMM)

Which RAM is faster? SRAM or DRAM and why?

SRAM is faster than DRAM because it doesn't need refreshing; it can hold its data as long as power is available.

Do DIMMs in a dual channel have to match in size, manufacture, speed and features?

Yes

What size of thermal compound should you put on the center of the processor?

a pea or approximately 0.2 grams of compound.

A _______ ________ ________ by malicious software, which attempts to run its code from an area of memory assigned to another program for its data.

buffer overflow attack

A ________ unit manages all activities inside the processor itself.

control unit

Each _____ in a processor has its own cache and cal also share a cache.

core pg. 138 figure 4-6 *L1 cache is on the die L2 cache is off the die L3 cache is within the processor package. *Prior to the memory controller being in the processor package, it was part of the North Bridge chipset. Putting the controller inside the processor package resulted in a significant increase in system performance.

A DIMM that has chips on both sides of the module is called?

double-sided

DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 DIMMs can use ____ channels.

dual chanels

______ channels allow the memory controller to communicate with two DIMMs at the same time, effectively doubling the speed of memory access.

dual channels

What are two names for when a server motherboard might have two processor sockets?

dual processors or multiprocessor platform

For some AMD processors _______ on the one corner of the processor matches up with a small ____ on a corner of the socket.

gold triangle

72-pin SIMMs were installed in groups of _____ modules to each bank of memory.

groups of 2

30-pin SIMMs were installed in groups of _____ modules to each bank of memory?

groups of 4

When a GPU is embeded in the CPU package it is called what?

integrated graphics *All second generation and higher Intel processors have integrated graphics.

________________ is the memory a processor addresses at one time and is 64-bits wide, and a DIMM slot provides a 64-bit data path.

memory bank

To get the highest performance, memory slots are placed on either side of the processor in order to shorten the length of the ____________?

memory bus

RAM is installed on _________ modules, which are installed in slots on the motherboard.

memory modules

if the processor operates at 3.2 GHz internally but the front side bus is operating at 800MHz, the processor operates at 4 times the FSB speed, this factor is called?

multipler

DIMMs speeds are measured in what? Which is how long it takes for the module to read or write data.

nanoseconds (ns)

If the system comes up and begins the boot process, but suddenly turns off before the boot is complete, most likely the CPU is ______________ because the cooler is not installed correctly.

overheating

Buses in the ___________ connect within the _______ housing. These buses run at a much higher frequency that the motherboard buses that connect the processor to the chipset and memory on the motherboard.

processor

__________________ is the speed at which the processor operates internally and is measured in gigahertz, such as 3.3 GHz.

processor frequency

Sandy Bridge introduced ______ channels where the processor can access four DIMMs at the same time.

quad channel

DDR3 and DDR DIMMs can use ____ channels

quad channels

Early DIMMs used a ______ channel, which means the memory controller can access only one DIMM at a time.

single channel

If the two DIMM slows of a channel are not populated with matching pairs of DIMMs, the motherboard will revert to _____ channeling.

single channeling

A DIMM has has chips installed on one side of the module is called what?

single-sided

Memory used in memory cache on a processor is what kind of ram?

static ram (SRAM)

the first DIMM to run synchronized with the system clock was called? Which has two notches, and uses 168 pins.

synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) *SDRAM is dynamic RAM uses on DIMMs *Synchronous memory runs in step with the processor and system clock, and its speeds are measured just as processor and bus speeds are measured in MHz.

Early DIMMs did not run in sync with the ___________ ________ because they were too slow to keep up.

system clock

A cream-like _________ is placed between the bottom of the cooler heat sink and the top of the processor. It eliminates air pockets, helping to draw heat off the processor.

thermal paste or thermal compound

A motherboard that supports ______ channels can access three DIMMs at the same time.

triple channel

DDR3 DIMMs can use _____ channels.

triple channels

If a DIMM doesn't support registers or buffers, it is referred to as an _________ DIMM

unbuffered DIMM

32 bit processors are older processor and are also known as ____ processors

x86 processors

A hybrid processor is also know as _______. They can process 32-bits or 64-bits

x86-64 bit *AMD was the first to produce one (the Athlon 64) and called the technology AMD64. Intel followed with a version of its Pentium 4 processors and called the technology Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T). Because of their hybrid nature, these processors can handle a 32-bit OS or a 64-bit OS. All desktop or laptop processor made after 2007 are of this type.

AMD's AMD64 and Intel's Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) is an example of what kind of processor?

x86-64 bit hybrid processor