Registered vs unbuffered DDR SDRAM?

Post #43,132 by SpiceWare 6/21/02 11:07:17 AM Reply	Registered vs unbuffered DDR SDRAM? I'm getting ready to update my eCS(OS/2) system from a 350MHz AMD K6 system to an SMP system using the ASUS A7M266-D motherboard and couple AMD Athlon MP processors. As you can tell(by the K6), it's been a while since I've last done any hardware updating. As such I'm no longer current on memory technology. While researching info for my new system I found [link\|http://www.oempcworld.com/generic.jhtml?pid=9\|this]: What are registered modules? There are two types of SDRAM module organizations, unbuffered (also known as unregistered) and registered. Registered modules have additional components (registers) placed between the incoming address and control information and the SDRAM components. These modules are typically used in Servers due to their added reliability (they place much less of an electrical load on the memory controller and therefore make it possible to have as many as 16 or 32 modules in a large system). from which I gather the main benefit of registered memory is that it allows you to put more memory in a system. The motherboard specs bear that out - max of 3.5GB registered vs 2GB un-buffered. I'm thinking that 1GB of memory should be more than enough to run eCS(and possibly Virtual PC for OS/2). As such, my question is this - is there any reason that would make buying registered memory worthwhile, or should I save my money and go with unbuffered? Darrell Spice, Jr. [link\|http://home.houston.rr.com/spiceware/\|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore
Post #43,135 by Another Scott 6/21/02 11:32:17 AM Reply	Crucial on Registered and Buffered vs Unbuffered RAM [link\|http://support.crucial.com/scripts/crucial.exe/solution?11=001115-0004&130=000974320480&14=&2715=&15=0&2716=0&57=search&58=&2900=Q7w0NjZ1D3&25=6&3=DDR%20registered\|Here]. What is the difference between buffered and registered memory? Description: What is the difference between buffered and registered memory? Solution: DDR and SDRAM can be unbuffered or registered. EDO and FPM can be buffered or unbuffered. Buffered modules contain a buffer to help the chipset cope with the large electrical load required when the system has a lot of memory. Registered modules do not have a buffer but do contain a register that delays all information transferred to the module by one clock cycle. Buffered and registered modules are typically used only in servers and other mission-critical systems where it is extremely important that the data is properly handled. Unless the price is the same, I'd go with the cheaper memory unless the system must always have minimum chance for data corruption. Registered memory will be slower, but more robust. HTH. Cheers, Scott.
Post #43,137 by SpiceWare 6/21/02 11:59:34 AM Reply	Thanx! I plan to get ECC memory, which should cover potential data corruption. Darrell Spice, Jr. [link\|http://home.houston.rr.com/spiceware/\|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

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