What is ECC RAM on a laptop? Compare the difference between ECC RAM and normal RAM

The ECC RAM on the laptop has the ability to detect and self-correct errors, helping the device to operate stably and minimizing the occurrence of errors when transmitting signals. Join Tnhelearning.edu.vn to find out what ECC RAM is as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of RAM!

The concept of ECC RAM

RAM ECC is a RAM bar capable of automatically checking and correcting errors according to a system of logically programmed algorithms, thereby helping data to be stored correctly inside RAM and limiting errors when transmitting signals at high speed. high speed.

• RAM ECC is an acronym for RAM Error Checking and Correction , which means RAM that checks for errors and corrects errors.
• ECC RAM is commonly used in workstations.

Uses of RAM ECC

From the concept of ECC RAM, you can partly understand the use of this RAM stick. Specifically, during signal transmission at high speed, ordinary RAM (called Non-ECC RAM) is prone to crashes.

At this time, Non-ECC RAM will have to reload all the initial data because it cannot manage all the data. Since then the machine is led to the phenomenon of hanging and appearing a blue screen.

However, if ECC RAM is used when an error occurs during high-speed signal transmission, it will ask to resend the correct error message. Then thanks to the operating mechanism, RAM ECC can manage the data flow and self-correct errors, ensuring the stability of the device.

How ECC RAM works

Basically, ECC RAM consists of 9 chips – 8 of which are normal chips and 1 single data chip that is capable of detecting errors in a data group.

During computer operation, especially during signal transmission at high speed, when an error is detected, ECC RAM has the ability to self-correct errors to ensure stable operation of the device.

However, ECC RAM has only a single data chip, so error detection can be limited. Therefore, today’s PC systems all transfer data in blocks (larger than 64 bits). At this point, ECC RAM will generate 7 additional bits for every 64 bits of data instead of creating 1 extra bit for every 8 data bits as before.

Therefore, the system will perform a more complex algorithm on those additional 7 bits of data, to ensure that the other 64 bits of data are correct. In case an error is detected, the ECC algorithm can also correct the data as long as the error occurs in 2 or more bits.

Two popular types of ECC RAM today

RAM Unbuffered ECC (RAM ECC UDIMM)

Unbuffered ECC RAM, abbreviated as RAM ECC UDIMM , is a type of Unbuffered RAM with added ECC function that can self-check and correct errors. This RAM series has a cache or register designed on the motherboard.

RAM Unbuffered ECC can issue memory access instructions directly to the memory module without having to send it indirectly through the Registered chip.

RAM Registered ECC (RAM ECC RDIMM)

RAM Registered ECC, abbreviated as RAM ECC RDIMM , is a type of Registered RAM that adds ECC features to automatically check and correct errors. This type of RAM contains registers that are mounted directly on the memory module.

RAM Registered ECC allows access instructions to be sent to the Registered chip, and then to the memory module, reducing the CPU’s memory control load.

Should I buy a laptop that uses ECC RAM?

Advantage

RAM ECC helps to reduce the load on the CPU’s memory control thanks to the Register chip that has direct access from memory.

Defect

Retrieving data is relatively time-consuming because RAM ECC needs to send an access command to the Register chip first, and then to the memory module, thereby causing the instruction instructions to take about 1 CPU cycle.

The difference between ECC RAM and normal RAM

To distinguish the difference between ECC RAM and normal RAM, you can rely on some criteria as follows:

RAM ECC	Normal RAM
Design	Normal design, aluminum coated and no LEDs attached, can be fitted with a heatsink.	Beautifully designed and equipped with an extra heatsink.
Structure	Contains registers mounted directly on the module (for ECC RDIMM RAM), or cache memory or registers on the motherboard.	There are no buffers and registers.
Number of memory chips	There are 9 chips each with the same size (for ECC UDIMM RAM chips) or 10 front-facing chips , with 1 chip in the middle with a larger size (for ECC RDIMM RAM).	There are 8 memory chips and no middle chip.
Code table	There is a letter after the bandwidth parameter, usually the letter E or EC C, or depending on the RAM, the corresponding character such as ECC-UDIMM, RDIMM.	There is no letter after the bandwidth parameter, or if so, no E – R.

With the above information, hopefully you already know what ECC RAM on a laptop is as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using ECC RAM on the device.