PC-2700 (DDR-333) Bus Speed SO-DIMM Computer Memory (RAM) 256 MB Capacity per Module

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How to Double Data in Your Laptop

All computers need memory, and the more they have, the smoother they are when you use them. However, it's not just content that matters; it's also factors like speed and format.

What is a SODIMM?

Commonly used for laptop memory, a SODIMM is the small outline form of dual in-line memory modules, or DIMMs. They get the name because each 64-bit memory channel has to have two 32-bit SIMM chips in order to make use of the full width of the bus. Using DDR333 as an example, there are a number of differences between the larger DIMM format and the smaller SODIMM:

  • Size: Each DDR DIMM is 133.35 mm long and just over 30 mm high; a PC2700 SODIMM is only 67.6 mm long and 30 mm high.
  • Pin Count: Where full size DDR modules feature 184 pins, the comparable SODIMM is a 200-pin package.

How Do You Read Laptop Memory?

When choosing any kind of SDRAM, whether DDR or not, it helps to be able to read the markings on the module. For example, the term DDR333 256 MB PC2700 SODIMM actually carries quite a bit of information about the module so long as you are able to read the terminology. Some labels also include voltage information on the RAM, which for DDR is 2.5 Volts; in comparison SDRAM runs at 3.3 Volts. The description above includes four key pieces of information about the RAM in question:

  • Memory Bus: DDR333 means that this stick uses a double-pumped 166 MHz bus for an effective 333 MHz double data rate connection.
  • Capacity: 256 MB should be self-explanatory as it indicates the stick supports one quarter of a gigabyte.
  • Bandwidth: PC2700 measures how much data the stick can transfer in a second, which is 2700 MBps.
  • Form Factor: The final term shows that this is indeed a laptop module in the small outline form factor.

Using RAM

One way to speed up any old laptop is to add more of the fastest RAM the machine supports. Do be careful though, as both DDR and DDR2 use 200-pin SODIMMs, but the voltage notches are slightly offset so that the two are not physically compatible. The biggest advantage to going with larger amounts of RAM is that you have to go back the hard drive less often, so you can switch between different programs more easily. This makes your notebook feel faster because you're not waiting for the hard drive. Speed matters too. Where PC100 SDRAM offers only 800 MBps of bandwidth, PC2700 offers more than three times as much, which makes larger memory installations more practical as you can access greater amounts of RAM in the same amount of time.

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