CompTIA A+ 220 CH 04 RAM

How can you determine how much RAM you have on a Windows OS system?

Access the System Control Panel (Windows-Pause/Break key combo) or Task Manager.

What causes RAM latency?

After RAM sends out a requested line of memory, there's a slight delay before the Memory Controller can ask for another line.

What is DIMM?

DIMM stands for Dual Inline Memory Module, and it is the physical part of a computer that the RAM is in. DIMM is long, narrow, thin circuit boards with tabs along one edge; the tabs are studded with flat metal pins that transfer data between the RAM and the computer.

DDR RAM (double data-rate random access memory) a major breakthrough.

DDR RAM give us two bits of information per clock speed. (ex clock speed 100 MHz/DDR Speed 200) Where as SDRAM gave only one bit of information per clock speed (ex 100 MHz/SDRAM Speed 100)

What is DDR2?

DDR RAM with some improvements in its electrical characteristics, enabling it to run even faster than DDR while using less power. The increase in speed form DDR2 comes by clock doubling the input/output circuits on the chips

How many volts do DDR3/DDR3U consume?L

DDR3 1.35 V DDR3UL 1.25 V

What are the data transfer rates for DDR3 and DDR4?

DDR3 16 GB max DDR4 64 GB

What is DDR3?

DDR3 boasts higher speeds, more efficient architecture, and around 30% lower power consumption than DDR2 RAM.

What is the advantage of DDR3 over DDR2?

DDR3 doubles the buffer from 4 bits to 8 bits, giving huge boost in bandwidth over older RAM.

What is DDR3/DDRRU?

DDR3L/DDR3U are low-voltage versions of DDR3 designed for massive RAM applications (data centers/servers).

How does DDR4 differ over DDR3/LU?

DDR4 offers higher density and lower voltages than DDR3 and can handle faster data transfer rates.

How many pins does DDDR4 have?

DIMM 288-PIN SO-DIM 204-PIN

How does DRAM function?

DRAM functions like a spreadsheet, with numbered rows containing cells and each cell holding a one or zero.

How does DRAM store information?

DRAM stores the binary information in the form of electric charges that applied to capacitors.

What are the components for a DRAM Memory cell?

DRAM uses one microscopic transistor and capacitor in each cell.

How many pins does DDR SDRAM have?

Desk Top 184-pin Lap Top 200-pin SO-DIMM 172-pin micro-DIMM

What does DDR SDRAM stand for?

Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)

What may happen if you used RAM modules of different speeds etc..

The system may lock up and/or data corruption.

How does dual channel architecture function?

These separate channels allow each memory module access to the memory controller, increasing throughput bandwidth.

How are the cells inside the DRAM organized?

They are organized in a rectangular fashion, using rows and columns, like a spread sheet.

What is the purpose of the a registered/buffered RAM?

This extra circuitry helps compensate for electrical problems that crop up on systems wit lots of memory modules, such as servers.

What is the purpose of Virtual Memory?

This frees physical RAM to enable the task to be completed. When the paged RAM is needed again, it is re-read into memory. Understanding and configuring virtual memory settings is critical to optimizing the performance of the operating system.

What is Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)?

This function enables users to easily overclock DDR3, if DDR3 has this function..

What is ReadyBoost?

This is a Windows OS feature that enables the use of flash media devices, USB thumb drives or memory cards, as super fast dedicated virtual memory.

How do you calculate the bytes per second of data throughput for DDR SDRAM?

To determine bytes per second of data throughput, take the MHz speed and multiply by 8 bytes (the width of all DDR SRAM sticks). Ex. 400 MHz X 8 = 3200 Megabytes per second (MBps).

How is RAM speed measured?

RAM speed is measured using DDR or PC ratings.

What Is the NMI (non-maskable interrupt)?

A hardware interrupt that the CPU cannot ignore.

What is ECC RAM?

(error correction code RAM) RAM that is specifically used to detect errors. Can on be used on motherboards designed to support ECC

How much data can each cell hold?

.A single bit one or zero

What must be done to ensure you get the desired results from a RAM upgrade?

1. Determine if insufficient RAM is the cause of system problems. 2. Pick the proper RAM for your system. 3. Proper handling/storage, and installation procedures.

What are three options for solving RAM issues?

1. Use manufacture hardware RAM testing device. 2. Replace each module one at a time to identify the bad module. 3. Run RAM software diagnostics.

What is the default recommended page-file size for Windows?

1.5 times the amount of installed RAM on your computer.

How many pins does DDR SDRAM have?

184 pin DIMM (desktop) 200 pin SO DIMM (lap top) 172 pin micro DIMM

How many pins does DDR2 have?

240 pin DIMM (desktop) 200 pin SO DIMM (lap top)

How many pins does DDR3 have?

240 pin DIMM, DDR3 SO-DIMMS use 204 pins.

What are the wide data form factors for modern DRAM stick?

32-bit(x32) and 64 bit (x64)

What is a system lockup?

A computer stops functioning.

What is a page fault?

A milder error that can be caused by memory issues but may not be a RAM issue. The OS will display an error message.

5. How does an NMI manifest on a Windows system.

A non-maskable interrupt on a Windows system often results in the BSoD.

Register/Buffered Memory

A small register installed on some memory module to act as a buffer between the DIMM and memory controller.

What should be done when installing RAM?

Attach antistatic wrist wrap, swing RAM slots down,and pick RAM (never touch contacts/pins).

When installing RAM what should be done to ensure maximum system stability?

Choose RAM modules that match In technology, capacity, speed, and latency(CL).

Where are programs loaded in order to use them?

Copies the program from the mass storage device to RAM and then runs it.

Install SO-DIMM on laptop?

Follow same procedures for desktop, to access slots either remove a panel or lifting up the keyboard.

What two symptoms point to a need for additional RAM?

General system sluggishness and excessive hard drive accessing.

Chapter 4 Objectives

Identify the different types of DRAM packaging Explain the varieties of RAM Select and install RAM Perform basic RAM troubleshooting

2. Scott wants to add 8 GB of PC3-12800 DRR3 to an old system with a 200 MHz motherboard and currently has 4GB of DDR3 RAM? What else does he need to know before installing?

If the motherboard can handle that much RAM.

Cindy installs a second stick of DDR4 RAM into her Core i7 system, bringing the total system memory up to 16 GB. Within a short period of time, though, she begins experiencing Blue Screens of Death. What could the problem be?

If you have no problems with a system and then experience problems after installing something new, chances are the new install is at fault.

What is the single hardware upgrade that can improve system performance?

Installing more RAM, can improve overall system performance, processing speed, and stability.

Where can you find the page file (pagefile.sys)?

It is a hidden system file, that is often found in the root directory of the C: drive.

What is SDRAM?

It is synchronous tied to the system clock, just like the CPU and MCC, so the MCC knows when data is ready to be grabbed from SDRAM.

4. What is the term for the delay in the RAM's response to a request from the MCC?

Latency is the term for the delay in the RAM's response to a request from the MCC.

Greg installed a known good module of RAM into his Core i7 system for a total of 12 GB of RAM. Within several days he started having random lockup and reboots. What is the most likely problem?

Most likely, Greg installed RAM that didn't match the speed or quality of the RAM in the system.

What is dual channel architecture?

Motherboard technology that effectively doubles data throughput from RAM to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.

6. Sal installs two sticks of DDR3 RAM on his AMD-based motherboard. When he runs CPU-z it states he is running in single channel memory. What could be the problem?

Motherboards can be tricky and require you to install RAM in the proper slots to enable dual-channel memory access. He needs to move one of the installed sticks to a different slot to activate dual-channel memory.

How do you estimate PC speed?

Multiply DDR Speed by eight to get the PC Speed.

RAM comes in what two types?

Single or Double-sided

1. Steve adds a second 8 GB 288 pin DIMM to his PC, which should bring his total RAM to 16GB. The PC has an Intel Core I7 4GHz processor and four 288 pin DIMM slots on the mother board. When the PC is turned on, on 8 G of RAM shows up. What is the most likely to be the problem?1.

Steve failed to properly seat the RAM.

What are indicators of Memory errors?

System lockups, page faults, and other error screens.

EXAM TIP

The 220-1001 exam will test you knowledge on various RAM types, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4 - know their characteristics and differences.

What is triple& quad channel architecture?

The same as dual channel, but instead three or four memory modules are utilized at the same time.

What type of RAM is used by the CPU?

The CPU uses dynamic random access memory (DRAM) as RAM for all PCs.

What is an indication if an OS is accessing the page file to frequently?

The Hard Drive access LED will be going crazy, known as disk thrashing.

What is SPD (serial presence detect)?

The SPD chip store tech info about your DRAM (size, speed, ECC or non-ECC etc..)

8. What is the best way to determine the total capacity and specific type of RAM your system can handle?

The best way to verify the total capacity and specific type of RAM you system can handle is to check the motherboard book or go to the manufacture's website.

3. What is the primary reason that DDR4 RAM is faster that DDR3 RAM?

The input/output speed of DDR4 RAM is faster than that of DDR3 RAM (although latency is higher).

What should you do form a RAM upgrade?

Verify current RAM, how many sticks/modules are currently used and the total capacity of RAM the system can handle.

What is virtual memory?

Virtual memory (also known as swapping or paging) 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 (such as load a program) pages of memory are moved to the paging file (also known as a swap file)

What does a NMI appear as on Windows/MAC OS?

Windows (BSoD blue screen of death) MAC (SPoD) Spinning Pinwheel of Death)

Does utilizing Virtual memory slow system performance?

Yes, because programs can not be ran in VM, they have to be swapped back to RAM. This causes significant slow down of system performance.

Is Virtual memory a fully automated process?

Yes, it does not require any user intervention.

7. Which of the following Control Panel applets will display the amount of RAM in your PC?

You can use the System applet to see how much RAM is currently in your PC.