The Secrets of PC Memory: Part 3

Bit Tech just published the third part of their ongoing feature looking into the technology behind PC memory. In this part, they dive into memory generations and detail its revolutionary and evolutionary technical breakthroughs that bring us to where we are today in the memory industry.

"When users overclock their computer memory, they are literally compressing the size of the Data Eye and changing the waveform at multiple levels by running at a higher frequency and as a result, more data can be transmitted over a set period. However, this takes away pre-established safety margins.

It’s a “Dark Art” because overclockers cannot observe or visualise the multi-dimensional factors at play; instead, they are looking for signs in stability, the general “feel” of the system and good old trial and error as each factor can and will interact and influence countless others, settling a new wave equilibrium.

Generally, raising DRAM voltage allows for faster memory speed, “ but that also depends on the architecture of the chip too” explains Brett Williams, Senior Marketing Manager in Computing at Micron Technology.

“ If the voltage is designed to be regulated, then increasing the external voltage might not do anything for the chip because you have got a regulator on the chip that is keeping the core at a specific voltage. If the chip is unregulated, when you increase the external voltage, it goes right into the core and increasing the core voltage allows the part to operate faster.”

Read on at Bit Tech.