What's the difference between Registered & Unregistered Memory Ram???

[Badidoh]

 
Can you tell me what's the difference and which I should get???

[C0UGAR UK]

I asked this question a while ago, you would only really need registered for heavily loaded systems where memory is critical, the type of memory & how much depends on if you are thinking of upgrading, not knowing what type/make of memory you have I would put in a single 512MB PC2100 strip of Crucial or Samsung, few terms are below.


Buffered Memory
A buffer isolates the memory from the controller to minimize the load on the chip set. It is typically used when the system has a high density of memory and/or when a system has more than 3 memory module sockets.


Unbuffered memory
This is where the chip set controller deals directly with the memory. There is nothing between the chip set and the memory chips on the module as they communicate.

Registered Memory
Registers delay memory information for one clock cycle to ensure all communication from the chipset is collected by the clock edge, providing a controlled delay on heavily loaded memories.

[Badidoh]

So what should I get then?
I'm all confused out, lol
Can you put it in dummy language?

[ElaineM]

I think that if you just chose unbuffered memory from a good source, that you will never notice a difference.

[hothi]

That depends. If you want to use more than three double-sided modules, it is probably a good idea to use registered memory, because the "capacitive load" on the memory bus can get quite high, and you might experience stability problems. If you use three or less modules, usually registered memory isn't required, and you shouldn't buy it - it is more expensive and slower. (Note: some boards with the bx chipset might not support registered memory correctly due to BIOS bugs / board layout, check your manual)

[C0UGAR UK]

Fair comment hothi but think that will confuse Badidoh even more


I doubt very much Badidoh if the memory you have at present is registered or ecc which you will not need unless you have around 3GB of memory in a mission critical system, faster memory will not speed up your pc but more MB will, more MB = more speed where your pc is concerned.
I would buy one of [url=www.crucial.com/uk/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT64M64S4D75]these , take out your old memory and put this one in, Crucial memory is among the best you can buy

If there is no writing on the 256MB strip you have in I would leave it out & sell it as it would be easier than you comming back with memory problems, if there is let us know & how many black chips there is on it & we may be able to tell you if it is a match to go back in with the new module

Is that clear enough, dont know how to make it more simple