Server RAM has its own special properties that the ordinary RAM bar does not have. Many users tried to use server RAM for gaming purposes, and why they did not succeed, it will be clear later.
DDR3 RAM for regular computers
Currently, most users use DDR3 memory in their computers. Due to its frequencies, it is able to support working with simple programs and applications, as well as with gaming tasks.
Motherboards working with DDR3 memory slots have on their motherboard no more than four slots for RAM. Many motherboards support dual-channel flow mode, that is, they use brackets in pairs. To improve computer performance, you can add more slats, but their total amount of memory should not exceed the mark of 64 gigabytes.
You can find the RAM strips in the form of a simple board and in the form of a bracket with a protective housing. There is a significant difference between the two types of planks. For example, a simple bar without all the additions does not have proper cooling, therefore it does not have overclocking potential. Another thing is the straps, protected on all sides by radiators. This is done so that when accelerating and increasing the timing, the bar does not undergo heating, which positively affects performance.
The possibility of overclocking the RAM still depends on the capabilities of the motherboard. If the BIOS has an XMP profile, then the frequencies of RAM can easily be overclocked from base to maximum frequencies.
DDR3 RAM for server hardware
During the creation of a modern server platform, you will need not only a large supply of memory for storing information, but also the possibility of fault tolerance and efficiency of all equipment. To increase the speed of data processing, you can simply upgrade the server RAM, while reducing hardware costs.
There are several types of RAM for servers:
- Parity ram.
- Register RAM.
- RAM with a low voltage indicator.
- LR DIMM - RAM that is capable of storing data from large-scale servers.
However, such varieties of server RAM are not compatible with each other.
The criteria by which the equipment to create a server should be selected should correspond to three points - this is high performance, reliability and the ability to purchase in the market. As for the material costs of maintaining the server hardware, you need to take into account the total RAM memory size, because the more energy it consumes, the more expensive the server maintenance is.
An interesting fact, but server memory is tested at high loads, while exceeding the bar temperature to 100 degrees Celsius. If 2 strips of 10 thousand did not pass the test, then the whole series is rejected.
The difference between conventional RAM and server memory
The first and striking difference between conventional RAM and server RAM is the presence of a buffering chip. This chip performs a protective role during the memory controller accessing several RAM slots at the same time, since the intensive processor load leads to an increase in current load. This is only hardware support.
As for software protection, it happens that any powerful electromagnetic radiation, or rather, its neurons, can damage the bit rate of the DDR3 server RAM. To avoid the consequences of such phenomena, manufacturers have added a code error correction (ECC) function, which can be found on some standard-purpose bars. The algorithm of this function processes the code digitally, independently calculating errors and correcting them.
In order not to confuse the server memory with the usual one when buying, just look at the barcode sticker. If there is a literal value of "REG" or "R", then this is an explicit marking of server RAM. But the presence of ECC marking does not have to be server-side, since error correction control can also be in ordinary RAM. These are the main criteria for how server RAM differs from the usual one.
Server motherboard specifications
First of all, what catches your eye when considering a server motherboard for DDR3 Server Memory - these are sockets for several processors. Also on the board there are many connectors for RAM. There are many connectors for connecting the rest of the server equipment, although many modern boards have the ability to wirelessly connect server components.
The server motherboards have a special chipset configured for computing and conducting calculations. It is his presence that determines whether the motherboard can support work with the slats of register and ECC memory. The motherboard carries out the main work with the three integral components of the server - this is RAM, hard drive and processors.
DDR4 server memory
The popular company Kingston presents 17 types of server RAM slots in DDR4 format. The sizes of the memory of each strap vary from 4 to 32 gigabytes. These slats can be purchased separately, unlike the "Whales" - sets that are available in four pieces and have a total RAM capacity of 16 to 128 gigabytes. The latter option is the most advantageous, since the creators of the servers do not need to worry about compatibility and the total energy consumed.
Is it possible to use regular RAM in servers and vice versa
Many users, seeing how fault tolerant the server RAM slots are, want to install such random access memory on their game board. This misconception leads gamers to a dead end, so hereinafter we will give a few arguments that refute rumors that server RAM may exist in the gaming computer.
Despite all its power and reliability, server RAM has completely different parameters for working with numbers and calculations.
It is not for nothing that two or even four processors are installed on the server motherboard, since data transfer requires additional clock cycles from the processor to work. Also, when exchanging data, the RAM uses the ECC protocols, which significantly slows down the RAM.