When building or buying a PC, memory can sometimes be difficult to choose and understand because many consumers don't necessarily know what kind of memory they would want or how much they think that they need. In this guide, I hope that I can explain what memory is and why choosing the right kind of memory to build or upgrade your PC is essential in its long term performance.

Step 1: What Does Memory Do?

Memory is essential in a computer in that it takes stored information in the hard drive or solid state drive and sends it to the CPU to be processed. Memory can't hold nearly enough information as the PC storage device, but that's because it doesn't need to. Since it is so much faster than the storage used in the PC, it can communicate very quickly with the CPU so that data you want to access or applications you want to open can be done almost instantly. By being the storage medium between the CPU and the storage device, memory is what makes computers be able to access data so fast, which is something that we now take for granted.

Step 2: How Memory Works

Memory has two major factors that determine its performance. First, it has a capacity. Capacity determines how much information can be stored in the memory at a time. For example, two 8 GB sticks of RAM (memory) have a total capacity of 16 GB, so 16 GB of data can be stored in the memory at any given time and then sent to the CPU. The more capacity the memory has, the more data in can send to the CPU at a time. The other factor is its frequency. A higher frequency memory can retrieve and send its capacity (or less) of data from the storage device to the CPU. More capacity can be acquired by adding more memory to your computer, while more frequency can only be added by replacing the memory that you are using with newer versions.

Step 3: Evolution of Memory

The first actual computer memory used in computers was developed in 1983 and was called SIMM (single in-line memory module). This RAM was the starting point in the development of future memory that would become more and more powerful. This memory is no longer used because it can only hold 4 MB of space, whereas modern memory can hold several GB.

The next major breakthrough in memory was the development of SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) in 1993. What made this memory so revolutionary was its ability to sync itself with the computer system's clock, making it much faster than any of its predecessors. Even though this was a great improvement, one more major improvement was made to the memory we use today, so this kind of memory is only used in very old computers.

Finally, the memory we use today is called DDR (double data rate) memory and was first developed in 1996, but newer, faster versions have been coming out ever since, with the most modern memory being DDR4 which came out in September of 2014. What makes this memory so much faster than anything developed before it is its ability to utilize the rising and falling edge of the system clock, meaning that it is twice as fast as SDRAM.

Step 4: How to Install, Remove, and Upgrade Your Memory

To remove old memory and install newer, better memory, make sure that the computer is off and that all cables connected to it are unplugged. Then, remove the side of your case so that you can get at your motherboard. The RAM slots are next to CPU socket; you can find it by looking for the big heat sink on the motherboard. To remove the old memory, push the plastic retention clips outward so that you are able to take out the old sticks. Before putting the new memory in the motherboard, make sure to match the notch in the bottom edge of the RAM with the memory slot. Make sure to read your motherboard's manual to make sure you are filling up the RAM slots in the correct order if you are not using all of them. Once you have put the new stick in the right slot, push the retention levers back inward so they lock the new sticks into place. After that, all you have to do is plug everything in again, put the side of the case back on, and turn on your computer.

Step 5: Memory Architecture

In a stick of memory, there are several parts that make it be able to do what it does. Most memory has several storage mediums called "banks". Each bank has something called a virtual plane, which basically is what is activated by electricity and allows the memory from the bank to be sent. Each stick of memory also has small memory chips on it which allow it to control which information is being sent to the processor at a specific time. Memory capacity is determined by how many chips can be stacked on the processor chip in the memory stick. Finally, the memory is connected to the CPU by a front side bus (FSB) so that it can actually send the data to the processor.

Step 6: Memory Form Factors

One form factor of memory is a DIMM (dual in-line memory module) that supports many types of memory used today, especially memory used in PC towers. It uses a 64-bit data path, which is the fastest data path in use today. DIMM memory is a universal memory type used in anything from computers to printers.

Another form factor of memory is a SIMM (single in-line memory module) that supports older PCs and motherboards. It has a 32-bit data path, meaning that it is much slower than DIMM memory and that it takes two of it to send the same amount of data as a DIMM memory module.

A third form of memory is called SODIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) and it supports mostly different types of laptops, tablets, and mini-ITX motherboards because it is much smaller than DIMM memory; it is about half of the size. Even though it is small, it has the same capabilities as DIMM memory; it also supports DDR4 RAM.

Step 7: Memory Fault Tolerance

Memory has a few different ways to keep data safe and protected. One example of memory fault tolerance would be error correcting code (ECC) which can automatically fix errors when data is being retrieved or sent immediately. This is very helpful for servers that are used frequently because it allows them to stay up and running and not have to shut down and require maintenance for very simple issues.

Another example of fault tolerance is when memory has technology that can automatically check its parity. This means that the memory has software in it that will check the data coming into the memory to ensure that it is correct. If it isn't, then the memory will automatically shut down to make sure that no data is lost.

Step 8: Common Symptoms of Memory Failure

Memory, like all hardware, can cause issues if it is not working properly. One possible issue that can result from faulty memory is the system freezing during the boot process or on the desktop. This usually means either two things - the chip in the memory is beginning to fail, or that there just isn't enough memory to keep the system running. Another possible issue from the memory not working properly is that there is no image appearing on the monitor. This means that the stick(s) of memory have either completely failed, or that the memory isn't fully inserted into the DIMM slot, meaning that it can't be used by the PC.

Step 9: Memory Diagnostic Tools

Even though memory is relatively easy to insert, it is important that you use an anti static wrist strap when handling it at all times, because it is better to be safe than sorry. Computer memory has many very important parts in it that ESD (electrostatic discharge) can easily damage and ruin your memory. On the software side of things, a flash drive with diagnostic software or live boot media can be very helpful for testing memory to see if it is working if you are suspicious that it could be failing or not working altogether. Memory is expensive, so it is important to take the proper steps to make sure that it is not working before replacing it altogether.