What is DIMM Dual-Inline Memory Module

Memory has always been a vital part of a personal computer. Greater the random access memory (RAM), greater the speed of the computer as it can access files and store them much faster than smaller RAM systems. DIMM stands for Dual-Inline Memory Module. These are the state of the art memory modules used in computer systems of today and are much faster than all the preceding RAM modules such as SIMM (Single-Inline Memory Module) and much lower in power consumption, thus significantly increasing their efficiency in use in modern computer systems.

DIMM’s have been the starting point of many different kinds of Memory Modules such as SO-DIMM’s (Small Outline Dual-Inline Memory Module) and MicroDIMM’s and FB-DIMM’s {Fully Buffered Dual-Inline Memory Module). There are many different types of DIMM’s in use, but most of them are used as RAM modules, such as – DDR SDRAM’s (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), FPM DRAM (Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random Access Memory) and EDO DRAM (Extended Data Output Dynamic Random Access Memory)

The high speeds offered by DIMM’s are one of the prime reasons why these types of memory modules are in use. DIMM’s provide a high bandwidth and a low noise feedback ideal for fast access and low delays. The speeds provided for various SDRAM’s are:-

• SDR SDRAM’s: These were the first Synchronous RAM’s used and started off with a frequency of 66 MHz to 133 MHz. They had the same bus frequency for all three lines, i.e. data, address and control lines.
• DDR1 SDRAM’s: These served data at double the rate of the clock, but the strobe was at the same rate as the clock. By clocking both the rising and falling edges, they achieved speeds from 200 MHz data and strobe / 100 MHz for address and control right up to 400 MHz / 200 MHz for address and control.
• DDR2 SDRAM’s: These had double data and strobe servings for the frequency of the clock and also consumed far less power than their DDR1 brethren. They started off at 400 MHz for data and strobe / 200 MHz for address and control till 1200 MHz / 600 MHz.
• DDR3 SDRAM’s: These are the most advanced types of DIMM’s available with superior power consumption and data rates. They ranged from 800 MHz for data and strobe / 400 MHz for address and control to 2GHz / 1GHz.