| RAM or Random Access Memory is critical to gaming | | | | have a 32-bit data path and DIMMs have a 64-bit |
| laptops. Mainly because the more RAM you have on | | | | data path. Now for notebooks, you have SO-DIMMs |
| your laptop or computer, the higher the performance | | | | (small outline dual in-line memory modules) which are |
| level you can achieve. Higher RAM will increase your | | | | smaller and more compact memory integrated |
| enjoyment and let you play even the most | | | | circuits. |
| challenging 3D games. | | | | Of course, like everything in life, there are radically |
| Besides the CPU (Central Processing Unit) RAM is | | | | different forms of RAM such as RDRAM which |
| probably the most vital element you will have in your | | | | stands for "Rambus Dynamic Random Access |
| laptop or computer. Just as you can't have enough | | | | Memory". This was designed by Rambus and has a |
| money, so too you can't have enough RAM. The | | | | high speed data bus nicknamed the Rambus channel. |
| more the merrier. The more RAM you have, the | | | | Likewise, you had Rambus in-line memory module |
| faster your computer will perform. | | | | (RIMM) and for laptops you had SO-RIMM. |
| Most serious gamers know their RAM. They know | | | | Graphics Card |
| the difference between static and dynamic RAM. | | | | Next you must know there is something called VRAM |
| Many can even tell you how SIMM, DIMM and | | | | or VideoRAM. This is a type of RAM is used for |
| SO-DIMM memory modules are different from each | | | | video adapters or 3-D accelerators. VRAM is located |
| other. Plus, they would all know the importance of | | | | in the Graphics Card and is important for high |
| VRAM or VideoRAM to the operation of their gaming | | | | resolution and color depth, both very essential for |
| laptop. Most of all, they know their Graphics Cards or | | | | gamers. Since true multiport VRAM is expensive, |
| GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). | | | | some Graphics Cards use SGRAM (synchronous |
| First, you should realize, RAM is probably the best | | | | graphics RAM) instead because it is cheaper. Other |
| known form or type of computer memory. Second, | | | | types of special high speed or multi-port memory |
| RAM is very important in how well your computer | | | | include WRAM, DDR2, GDDR3 and GDDR4. |
| can perform the tasks you call upon it to do. The | | | | Your Graphics Card will be the heart of your gaming |
| more RAM you have, the more computer tasks and | | | | machine. Most gamers go for the top brands such as |
| programs you can run at one time. | | | | NVIDIA (GeForce) and ATI (Radeon) -- the higher |
| Nor should you make the mistake that only gamers | | | | number series card usually means higher the |
| are concerned about getting enough RAM; | | | | performance. For example, at the time of writing, |
| professionals who work with heavy graphics such as | | | | Nvidia has released the GeForce 9800 GX2, which is |
| video editors, architects, layout artists, website | | | | basically dual GeForce 8800 GT in one card. This will |
| designers... are also keenly aware of the importance | | | | also give you DirectX 10 Graphics. Wait a couple of |
| of having enough RAM to get the job done. | | | | months and there will probably be something faster |
| Keep in mind, computer technology is advancing at a | | | | and more powerful on the market. |
| blistering rate and is constantly changing. Overseeing | | | | If one Graphics Card is good, then two or more |
| all these industry standards and technology is JEDEC, | | | | would be even better. That's why you have SLI |
| which acts like a regulating body for the | | | | (Scalable Link Interface) technology which allows for |
| semiconductor industry. Hey, someone has to keep | | | | the linking of two or more video cards together to |
| track of all these forms of RAM! | | | | get a single output. PCI Express, is another expansion |
| Basically, you have two kinds of RAM - Static RAM | | | | card interface format which was introduced by Intel |
| (SRAM) which is faster and more expensive than | | | | in 2004. |
| Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Just as their names suggest, | | | | How Much RAM Do You Need? |
| Dynamic RAM is constantly refreshing and is slower | | | | As already mentioned, the more RAM you have, the |
| and less expensive than Static RAM. | | | | better your computer will run. You will be able to |
| Static RAM is primarily used for cache such in your | | | | perform more tasks and do them faster if you have |
| CPU's speed-sensitive cache. | | | | plenty of RAM. Actually, upgrading your RAM to a |
| What confuses most people is the whole range or | | | | higher level will usually give you a whole new |
| types of Dynamic RAM, with more in development | | | | computer. |
| as we speak. Complicating the matter even further, | | | | There are recommended minimum requirements if |
| is the development of RAM for laptops which need | | | | you want to run certain programs or operating |
| smaller and more compact memory modules. | | | | systems on your PC or Laptop. For running Windows |
| Here are some types of RAM you may or may not | | | | XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum |
| have seen or heard of: | | | | RAM requirement, again more is better. |
| FPM DRAM -- which stands for "Fast Page Mode | | | | For Mac OS X systems you will need a minimum of |
| Dynamic Random Access Memory" and was the | | | | 128 MB but for optimal performance try 512 MB. |
| original form of DRAM. It has a maximum transfer | | | | Linux will work nicely on a system with only 4 MB of |
| rate of approximately 176 MBps to L2 cache; and if | | | | RAM. |
| you're wondering what is level 2 cache, this is cache | | | | For Windows Vista - Microsoft recommends at least |
| located outside the processor chip. Level 1 refers to | | | | 1Gig of RAM but many users have reported that 2 |
| internal cache in the processor. | | | | to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista a much more easier |
| EDO DRAM -- which stands for "Extended Data-out | | | | beast to handle. Vista probably needs all the good |
| Dynamic Random Access Memory" and is around 5% | | | | press if can get. |
| faster than FPM DRAM. Transfer rate is at about 264 | | | | For Gaming Laptops: How Much RAM? |
| MBps to L2 cache. | | | | Again the more the better, gaming laptops need a lot |
| SDRAM -- which stands for "Synchronous Dynamic | | | | of RAM since you have heavy video graphics and |
| Random Access Memory" is very common in today's | | | | images. Serious gamers usually buy as much RAM as |
| computers. Transfer rate maxes out at around 528 | | | | they can afford, choosing the fastest machines with |
| MBps. | | | | the latest Graphics Card. Laptops with four Gigs of |
| DDR SDRAM -- which stands for "Double Data Rate | | | | RAM are becoming common, with many gamers |
| Synchronous Dynamic RAM" is similar to SDRAM but | | | | opting for 8 Gigs. |
| has higher bandwidth, allowing for greater speeds. | | | | At the time of writing, what levels are we currently |
| Transfer rate to L2 cache is around 1,064 MBps. | | | | at in regards to laptops and RAM? Well, the new |
| DDR2 SDRAM -- which stands for "Double-data-rate | | | | Alienware Area-51® m17x Notebook comes with |
| Two Synchronous Dynamic RAM", operates the | | | | the following specs: An Intel® Core(TM) 2 |
| external data bus twice as fast as DDR SDRAM. | | | | Extreme processor with up to 4GB DDR2 667MHz |
| DDR3 SDRAM -- which stands for "Double-data-rate | | | | memory, sporting Dual Nvidia® GeForce® |
| Three Synchronous Dynamic RAM" and is an | | | | 8800M GTX. This machine also has the Killer(TM) K1 |
| improvement over DDR2 SDRAM. DDR3 allows for | | | | Gaming Network Card plus the ultra-life-like |
| chip capacities of 512 megabits up to 8 gigabytes, | | | | environments generated by the Ageia PhysX(TM) |
| which gives you the maximum memory module size | | | | processor. You should also note that Ageia was |
| of a whopping 16 gigabytes. | | | | recently (Feb. 2008) acquired by Nvidia. |
| Memory Modules | | | | Perhaps, in regards to RAM, the wisest route to take |
| RAM modules are mounted on printed circuit boards | | | | is to buy a laptop or PC where you can easily |
| to be used in personal computers. First, you had | | | | upgrade or expand the RAM if you need more |
| SIMMs (single in-line memory modules) which were | | | | memory. Changes are, wait a few months and you |
| gradually replaced by DIMMs (dual in-line memory | | | | will probably need to increase your RAM. |
| modules). The main difference between them: SIMMs | | | | |