Computer Memory UDIMM VS DIMM – How Do They Compare?

If you are like me, then you probably know what RAM memory is, but have you ever heard about UDIMM and DIMM, and did you ever compare the two?

Broaden your knowledge of computer technologies and read on.

Have you ever asked yourself why you should care about the RAM of your computer? What about the storage capacity of all your digital appliances?

RAM is one of the main necessities for your computer and many other electronics. If your device has the right RAM and storage, the performance will be relatively higher.

It gets the ability to support various types of software and perform to the maximum.

Even though the overall performance of your computer and all computerized devices is determined by the CPU, few other components contribute significantly to the same performance.

But the higher the RAM capacity and the ROM capacity, the easier the job will be for the device.

As computer and technology enthusiasts, we are only used to common memory-related terms such as RAM and ROM.

However, other terms such as UDIMM and DIMM are very common today.

UDIMM or what is commonly referred to as unregistered Memory is a type of memory chip that is used in laptops, desktops, and few other computerized appliances.

Unlike UDIMM, DIMM is only integrated into the Memory of the motherboard of your computerized device.

In simple terms, they can be named RAM Sticks.

It is comprised of the Dynamic RAM integrated circuits on the board. The technology is mainly used for workplace computers and some personal computers and servers.

One of the first pace setters in this technology is Intel that launched Pentium Processor. This means that SIMM is replaced by DIMM.

In simple terms, the SIMMs is now called the processor of DIMM. They previously had redundant contracts between the two sides. With DIMM, there’s a separate electrical contact on all the modules.

The DIMMs were designed with a 64-Bit data plan. This was inspired by the rise of Pentium, which increased the need for a 64-Bit Bus width.

Consequently, there was a need to create a technology that would meet this demand. This is the reason why DIMMs were created.

The 64-bit-data on the other hand, ensured faster processing times and data transfer windows when compared to the last technology.

Today, DIMM has become the standard form of all computer memory. It is installed on the motherboard and stores the information on different cells.

Why are UDIMM and DIMM necessary?

Would I be wrong to say that performance is what we care about the most in every computerized device?

In this tech-fast-paced and tech-impregnated world, most tech users know that computer memory configurations are very important.

But to some of us, as long as the device does the work, we have little concerns about the technology behind it.

But if you want to get behind the tent and understand how necessary some of these small chips are, you are in the right place.

Most people don’t know that the more programs a computer system is expected to run, the more Memory the computer needs.

Speed and the performance of processing and transferring data are directly proportional to the RAM and other computer memory.

The computer memory allows your computer a chance to perform many of its daily tasks, which include but are not limited to processing and loading applications, editing spreadsheets, writing on word, and browsing the internet.

These are straightforward ways of using computer memory.

But when you open a Word Document that you want to edit but first of all, check the internet for emails or news updates, you will have used the computer memory in two different ways.

UDIMM vs. DIMM

The information explained above can be complicated, especially when comparing and contrasting these two types of computer parts.

For many years, computer users have wondered what the difference between UDIMM and DIMM is.

As I have explained above, the DIMM is simply the unregistered memory configuration.

It can be referred to as conventional Memory.

To understand it better, there are four different types of DIMM.

1. UDIMM – This is the unbuffered and unregistered Memory
2. RDIMM – This is the registered Memory on your computer
3. So-DIMM – This is the basic laptop RAM
4. FBDIMM – This is the fully Buffered Memory.

Take UDIMM as the normal RAM, and the unbuffered DIMM is likely to be found on desktops and laptops.

The main purpose of UDIMMs is to offer faster performance. It is reasonably priced, but you are very likely to encounter some compromises on stability.

UDIMM

Unbuffered Dual Inline Memory Module (UDIMM) is a term that is used to describe a type of computer memory.

What the word ‘Unbuffered’ means in this regard is that the Memory uses a microprocessor to pass the data from the module’s microprocessors.

This is exactly what makes it possible for a computer to perform different tasks at the same time.

A computer can have many memories integrated without harming its Memory. There is some computer with more than four memory slots meaning that they require buffered Memory.

This is not the case with Notebooks and typical computers because they have exactly four memory slots. Consequently, most computers have UDIMMs installed.

Identification of UDIMMs

In this regard, your computer can either have a SO-DIMM or a Full-sized DIMM. This is because the buffered Memory is only required for workstation computers and servers.

In this regard, all SO-DIMMs are UDIMMs, and most full-size DIMMs are UDIMMS. But remember, UDIMM Lacks the microprocessors that are available in buffered memory modules.

The architecture of DIMM

DIMM can easily be considered as the printed circuit on the motherboard of your device. It is mainly integrated with the DRAM and SDRAM integrated circuits.

Not forgetting, several other components and factors play a huge role in the performance of a device.

To enhance the performance standards and promise a better running time for the computer, the density of the chip is incremented.

Many manufacturers used 16GB and 8 GB chips, but there was a concern about the coaling. When the manufacturers enhanced the density of the chip to 64GB, there was an impactful reduction in the heat.

This is why most computers now have heat reduction technologies to minimize the heat generated from the DIMMs.

One of these advancements is the cooling fins which were included for excess heat venting. In this case, the heat was vented from the board to the exit ways of the computer.

Memory ranks

If you have come across any latest DIMMs, you might have noticed what we call DRAM Chipsets, also known as the memory ranks, which lead to the DRAM page initiation to increase the performance.

In the process of creating a dense memory, the ranks are connected to a similar address. But the processors don’t access the ranks for identical operations.

Other DIMMs Features

1. The memory Bus utilization – When this increases, there are lower chances of change in the reading level of latency.
2. CAS -This is designed as the column address strobe. In simple terms, it represents the DRAM response rate.
3. Speed – The latency rate will be lower with the faster DIMM speed.
4. DDR Generations – In this regard, there are 4 generations of DDR-DDR3, DDR2, DDR4, and DIMM.
5. SDR SDRAM – In the 1960s, the signal data rate of the DIMM was designed, and in this case, the speed and performance are rated using nanoseconds.
6. Channel Memory – Single-channel memory in the case of DIMM is the minimal prerequisite for communication with the processor.

Can DIMM RAMs be used in UDIMM slots?

Yes, the Buffered Memory, or what is called Registered Memory, has a register between the system memory controller and the DRAM.

This is what makes place a less electrical load on the memory controller and at the same time allows single systems to be stable with additional memory modules.

When this is compared directly to the registered Memory, conventional Memory is referred to as unbuffered memory or simply unregistered Memory.

So if you are wondering whether the DIMM RAMs can be used on UDIMM slots, the answer is yes.

You can easily insert a DIMM RAM in UDIMM slots, but only when the two of them are the same. A good example is that you can insert a DDR3 DIMM RAM in a DDR3 UDIMM slot.

The same type, in this case, stands for all the slots between DDR1/2/3/4/5. A DDR4 cannot take a DDR3 DIMM.

FAQs

Is UDIMM RAM bad?

You have to note that all RAM is DIMMs. However, most motherboards run on unbuffered RAM, which is better known as UDIMMs. Buffered RAM is mainly used in servers and workstations.

Is UDIMM Memory good?

UDIMM is faster than unregistered Memory. This means that it’s relatively better than DIMM.

Can I use UDIMM instead of DIMM?

The answer is No. These two RAMs are created for different types of motherboards. Again it’s not a great idea to mix these two memories.

Which is better, UDIMM or DIMM?

UDIMM is unregistered Memory, while RDIMM is registered Memory. The UDIMM is limited to two DIMMs per channel, and they offer slightly better memory bandwidth. But the two of them are important.

Have you been sitting on the fence when determining which of these two computer memories is best for your computer?

If yes, then we have set the record clearer. The two types of RAM are important and are meant for different purposes.