Memory Types Explained

The 2 main types of memory module are SODIMM and DIMM.

SODIMMs (Small outline dual inline memory module)
An SODIMM is generally used in Laptops / Noteboos and All!in!one "omputers.
SODIMMs are smaller in length than regular DIMMs.
2#$!pin DD%& SODIMMs are a'ailable in( )*&!+,### / )*&!+$$## / )*&!+2-## / )*&!+#,## . )*&!-/##
DD%& SD%AM
2##!pin DD% . DD%2 SODIMMs are a'ailable in( )*2!-/## / )*2!,$## / )*2!/&## / )*2!$2## . )*2!
&2## DD%2 SD%AM and )*&2## / )*20## . )*2+## DD% SD%AM
+$$!pin SD%AM SODIMMs are a'ailable in( )*+&& . )*+## SD%AM
DIMMs (Dual inline memory module)
DIMMs are generally used in Destops1 To2ers and Ser'er "omputers.
DIMMs are longer than SODIMMs.
2$#!pin DD%2 . DD%& DIMMs are a'ailable in( )*&!+,### / )*&!+$$## / )*&!+2-## / )*&!+#,## .
)*&!-/## DD%& SD%AM and )*2!-/## / )*2!,$## / )*2!/&## DD%2 SD%AM
+-$!pin DD% DIMMs are a'ailable in( )*&2## / )*20## . )*2+## DD% SD%AM
+,-!pin SD%AM DIMMs are a'ailable in( )*+&& . )*+## SD%AM
Server Memory (ECC Unbuffered, ECC e!istered, ECC "ully #uffered)
3** 4nbuffered and 3** %egistered modules are a'ailable in all speeds of DD%& / DD%2 / DD% .
SD%AM DIMM memory.
3** 5ully buffered DIMMs 657DIMMs8 are a'ailable in DD%2 DIMM memory.
These memory types are used predominantly for ser'er and 2orstation motherboards.
$pple Ma% &ro Memory
9e supply DD%2 3** 5ully 7uffered DIMMs 657DIMMs8 2hi"h are designed spe"ifi"ally for Apple
"omputers. These ha'e a heat spreader larger in si:e to the standard 5ully 7uffered DIMMs 657DIMMs8 and
are only to be used in Apple "omputers.
Can I a%%identally install t'e (ron! memory type)
The simple ans2er is ;No;. 9ithin the ro2 of gold pins you 2ill see either + or 2 slots depending on the
memory type. This slot is used to ensure the memory module "orre"tly fits into pla"e on the motherboard1
and you 2ill find the lo"ation of the slot6s8 may "hange depending on the type of memory.
DD%&1 DD%21 DD% . SD%AM memory all loo 'ery similar in si:e and design1 but they "an only be
installed into the "orresponding slot 6e.g. a DD%& module 2ill only fit a DD%& slot8. If in doubt please "he"
your system motherboard to ensure it a""epts modules 2ith the rele'ant pin si:e / slot type.