1.3 Compare and contrast RAM types and features. RAM - Random Access Memory
Not associated with hard drive storage as data is only stored on RAM temporarily
· Types o DDR - Double Data Rate, older version of RAM, (measured in throughput) o DDR2 - Double Data Rate 2 (measured in throughput) o DDR3 - Double Data Rate 3 (measured in throughput) o SDRAM – Synchronous Dynamic RAM - synchronous with the system clock (bus) for example 133Mhz clock = PC133 (Measured in clock speed) o SODIMM – Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module – used in laptops only o RAMBUS (RD RAM) – more expensive compared to SD RAM o DIMM – Dual Inline Memory Module – term used to classify Desktop memory o Parity vs. non-parity – Parity is used to detect errors but won’t always find an error, has an extra parity bit o ECC vs. non-ECC – Error Correction Code is used to detect and correct errors in RAM o RAM configurations
§ Single channel vs. dual channel vs. triple channel – Installed in pairs for maximum throughput, memory frequencies should match, slots are often coloured the same o Single sided vs. double sided – the groups of memory on a module that can be accessed and not the physical layout of the memory package
· RAM compatibility and speed – DDR 3 RAM will not be compatible with any other version of RAM due to the pin assignments and slot at the bottom of the RAM. Speed is measured in MHz and is calculated by dividing the PC value by 8 example: PC-3200 = 3200/8 = 400 thus PC-3200 is in fact DDR-400Mhz

* Chipset * Northbridge
The Northbridge typically handles communications among the CPU, in some cases RAM, and PCI Express (or AGP) video cards, and the Southbridge. Some Northbridge also contain integrated video controllers, also known as a Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) in Intel systems. Because different processors and RAM require different signaling, a given Northbridge will typically work with only one or two classes of CPUs and generally only one type of RAM.
There are a few chipsets that support two types of RAM (generally these are available when there is a shift to a new standard). For example, the Northbridge from the NVidia nForce2 chipset will only work with Socket A processors combined with DDR SDRAM; the Intel i875 chipset will only work with systems using Pentium 4 processors or Celeron processors that have a clock speed greater than 1.3 GHz and utilize DDR SDRAM, and the Intel i915g chipset only works with the Intel Pentium 4 and the Celeron, but it can use DDR or DDR2 memory. * Southbridge * A Southbridge chipset handles all of a computer's I/O functions, such as USB, audio, serial, the system BIOS, the ISA bus, the interrupt controller and the IDE channels. Different combinations of Southbridge and Northbridge chips are possible, but these two kinds of chip must be designed to work together; there is no industry-wide standard for interoperability between different core logic chipset designs. Traditionally, the interface between a Northbridge and Southbridge was the PCI bus. The main bridging interfaces used now are DMI (Intel) and UMI (AMD).

Evaluate and select appropriate components for a custom configuration, to meet customer specifications or needs.

* Graphic / CAD / CAM design workstation * Powerful processor * High-end video * Maximum RAM

* Audio/Video editing workstation * Specialized audio and video card * Large fast hard drive * Dual monitors

* Virtualization workstation
Maximum RAM and CPU cores

* Gaming PC o Powerful processor o High-end video/specialized GPU o Better sound card o High-end cooling

* Home Theater PC o Surround sound audio o HDMI output o HTPC compact form factor o TV tuner

* Standard thick client o Desktop applications o Meets recommended requirements for running Windows

* Thin client o Basic applications o Meets minimum requirements for running Windows

* Home Server PC o Media streaming o File sharing o Print sharing o Gigabit NIC o RAID array

* BIOS configurations o Boot sequence o Enabling and disabling devices o Date/time o Clock speeds o Virtualization support BIOS security (passwords, drive encryption: TPM, lo-jack)

* Analog vs. digital transmission VGA vs. HDMI
Display cable types o HDMI o DVI o VGA o Component o Composite o S-video o RGB o Coaxial o Ethernet

* Refresh rates * Resolution * Native resolution * Brightness/lumens * Analog vs. digital * Privacy/antiglare filters * Multiple displays