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RAM - What is "ECC?"

Discussion in 'Processors and Motherboards' started by eddy05, Aug 27, 2002.

  1. eddy05 Newcomer, in training Posts: 223

    Erm I've got another question.

    KINGSTON 256MB PC-800 (400MHz DDR) - S$235
    KINGSTON 256MB PC-800 (400MHz DDR) w/ECC - S$285
    (Source - Hardware Zone)

    What is "ECC?" Why is RAM more expensive with ECC?
    eddy05, Aug 27, 2002
    #1

  2. Per Hansson TS Server Guru Posts: 1,796   +66

    ECC=Error Correcting Code, as the name implies if there is an error in the information on the RAM the system can fix that (without ECC the error would go unnoticed)

    Though it requiers extra time and thus slows down your system, it is usually only supported on servers...

    You will need to verify that your mobo really supports it if you indeed want ECC RAM...
    Per Hansson, Aug 27, 2002
    #2

  3. Phantasm66 Newcomer, in training Posts: 6,504

    In order to get ECC functionality, ALL of your RAM must be ECC.

    To be honest, its not really something I would imagine that you might want unless you are running like a database server or domain controller or something. But if you buy high capacity RAM (i.e. 1 GB Dimm or something) you may find that it is only available in ECC because its thought that only servers would require such capacities at this time.
    Phantasm66, Aug 27, 2002
    #3

  4. eddy05 Newcomer, in training Posts: 223

    Ooooh...

    That'll mean I just need to buy non-ECC RAM coz I'm only running a desktop computer and my other RAMs are non-ECC... thanks guys.
    eddy05, Aug 27, 2002
    #4

  5. Phantasm66 Newcomer, in training Posts: 6,504

    Yeah that will be fine. I can personally recommend Crucial www.crucial.com but if possible its nice but not necessary to get the same make and model.
    Phantasm66, Aug 27, 2002
    #5

  6. Vehementi TechSpot Paladin Posts: 3,199

    I was taught that ECC stood for Error Checking & Correction...

    Not that it matters...
    Vehementi, Aug 27, 2002
    #6
     

  7. eddy05 Newcomer, in training Posts: 223

    SamSung

    My system information told me that my RAM are SamSung modules (It's RDRAM anyway). If I'm upgrading RAM I'll most probably buy SamSung modules. Too bad though, If it'll be DDR SDRAM I'll buy a hoard of memory, but RDRAMs are STILL expensive.
    eddy05, Aug 28, 2002
    #7

  8. Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,307   +17

    Arris, Aug 28, 2002
    #8
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