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V 2012.13. Agenda. Old Business New Business Week ‘ 2’ Meeting Review Week 3 Topics: Intro to Memory Continue to trouble shoot our PC. Old Business. Sub-groups Graphics Web Design App Development Other ? Scorer’s table job Email me with interest ! Fundraising
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Agenda • Old Business • New Business • Week ‘2’ Meeting Review • Week 3 Topics: • Intro to Memory • Continue to trouble shoot our PC
Old Business • Sub-groups • Graphics • Web Design • App Development • Other? • Scorer’s table job • Email me with interest! • Fundraising • Remember … participate! • Read email, polls, requests, etc.
New Business • District Tech Department Help • Install Office 2010 • Repair Computers • Contact Info • Request your name/year • Comments on Twitter • T-Shirts • Limited sizes/colors
Week 2 Meeting Review • Intro to Computer Repair • What did you think? • Any follow-up questions? • Our non-working PC … • Did you answer the poll question?
Intro to Memory • Common Terms • Common Types • How it works • Resources
DDR (SDRAM) Memory • Double Data Rate • Two data transfers per cycle • Higher bandwidth • DDR3 has the ability to transfer data at twice the rate of DDR2 • Uses less power (30%)
DDR vs GDDR • GDDR is built for much higher bandwidth, thanks to a wider memory bus • GDDR has lower power and heat dispersal requirements compared to DDR, allowing for higher performance modules, with simpler cooling systems • DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 have a 64 bit bus (or 128 bit in dual channel). GDDR3, comparatively, commonly uses between a 256 bit bus and 512 bit bus, or interface (across 4-8 channels)
DRAM vs SSDs • DRAM is used to run stuff • SSDs are where you store stuff
Why so many types of memory? • Different pieces of a computer system have different requirements for speed, size and cost • Computer designers have solved the cost problem by "tiering" memory • Using expensive memory in small quantities and then backing it up with larger quantities of less expensive memory
So, how does memory work? • The basics … • Each memory ‘cell’ is comprised of: • Transistor • Capacitor • Each cell can hold 1 bit of information • Cell contains a data input line, a data output line, a Read/Write line and a select line • The select line activates the cell and Read/Write line tells it either to output its contents or store what is at its input
So, how does memory work? • Cells are organized in a grid pattern, rows columns • Data (‘line’) inputs and outputs for each cell are connected together to form an ‘array’ • Data is written to a specific row and column of the array, defined as the ‘binaryaddress’ • CPU can access the data from that specific address
So, how does memory work? • Data lines from multiple memory chips are grouped to form a ‘data bus’ • Data bus has the following characteristics: • Bus width refers to the number of bits that can be sent to the CPU simultaneously • Bus speed refers to the number of times a group of bits can be sent each second • Bus cycle occurs every time data travels from memory to the CPU
So, how does memory work? • Memory Controller • Manages the flow of data going to and from the main memory • Contain logic necessary to read and write to DRAM, and to "refresh" the DRAM • It can be a separate chip or integrated into another chip (like the CPU) • Part of the ‘Northbridge’ • Located closest to the CPU (or on the CPU) and controls the fastest components on the motherboard: the CPU, video card slot and RAM
When/Why would you install memory? • To improve performance • O/S, apps getting larger • To prevent disk ‘swapping’ • Windows creates ‘virtual RAM’ • In the form of ‘pagefile.sys’ on your hard drive • But there are other factors that impact performance …
Summary • Different types of memory address different needs • Used in almost every phase of a computer system • At a high level, memory is comprised of cells, arrays, data bus • Operated by a memory controller which communicates with the CPU • Generally helps improve performance
Questions/Comments? Scott Seighman scotts@ahstechcrew.org
Our Non-Working PC … • Dell 2400 • No output to screen • Blinking amber light (power) • Fans are not spinning • What would you do next? • Ideas …?