DIMMs are a type of RAM used in computers, consisting of dual-package integrated circuits. They come in various types with different numbers of pins and keyed notches for easy installation. They have a 64-bit bus width, unlike the previous SIMMs, and have evolved to increase memory capacity and speed.
Dual inline memory module (DIMM) is a type of random access memory (RAM) used in various computers. Each module can use a number of so-called dual-package integrated circuits in line. Working in concert, these integrated circuits provide a way for computers to rapidly write, read, and rewrite information in a dynamic way.
Integrated circuits are simply miniature circuits that exist on the surface of a substrate material, such as silicon. Commonly known as microchips, the variety of online double-packed integrated circuits can be recognized by their flat, rectangular shape. They also have two parallel rows of connector pins.
There are many different types of inline dual memory module, each of which can have a different number of pins. These can range in number from 72 to 240 and typically determine what type of DIMM the drive is. A DIMM with 72 pins may be known as SO-DIMM, which stands for small in-line dual memory module. These relatively small RAM modules can be found in laptops, some high-end printers, and PCs with small form factor motherboards. They are the smallest DIMMs and can be used in applications where space is at a premium.
In addition to having different numbers of pins, many DIMMs have keyed notches that allow for flawless installation. Because these notches are located in different locations along the bottom of the DIMM and can range in number from one to three, it is usually impossible to install the wrong DIMM for a given application. By looking at the location and number of notches, it may be possible to determine if the RAM module is correct before even attempting to install.
The difference between dual in-line and the single in-line memory module (SIMM) it replaced is that most DIMMs use a 64-bit bus width, whereas SIMMs only had a 32-bit data path. Processors with 32-bit bus widths were once prevalent, but the introduction of 64-bit data path processors required SIMMs to be installed in matched pairs to add a total of 64 bits. The introduction of DIMMs made it possible to use a single RAM module instead of two SIMMs in these applications.
Inline dual memory modules have undergone many evolutions in design since they were first introduced in the early 1990s. Later generations of DIMMs, such as Double Data Rate (DDR), DDR2, and DDR3, all increased the amount of memory each module could hold, while also increasing how quickly they could be written to and read from.
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