IN MOTION: W E L O O K A T N E X T G E N E R A T I O N

DDR2 RAM MEMORY

DDr2

REVISION

DELL
VIEW
OF DDR2
One of the greates producer
of DDR2 reviews their best product

DDR2

DDR2
FOR ALL

memory
revision

DEVICES

Addition

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
OF SARAJEVO

DDR2 FOR
SMARTPHONES

Samsung now producing

4-gigabit 20nm DDR2
memory, aims to bring
2GB to smartphones
without increased power
usage
Configuration

DDR2 for everyone

Configure your own pc
using DDR2 memory
RAM, for best final results

DELL
PowerEdge 1850
Higher memory transfer
rates

DDR
MEMORY
TABLE OF CONTECT
ABSTRACT3
INTRODUCTION......4
Comparison of DDR and DDR2.4
Power consumption of DDR and DDR2...5
ARHICTECURE OF DDR2 RAM...........................................6
Higher memory transfer rates........................................7
4n prefetch.................................................................... 7
DELL REVISION OF THEIR PRODUCT............................ 8
INTEL DDR2....................................................................... 10
DDR2 (x8) Adressing..................................................... 10
DDR2 (x16) Design consederation................................ 10
EP8079 configuration.....................................................11
SUPPORTED MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES..........................14
DRAM Device Speed Bin Support..................................15
DDR2 SDRAM Un-buffered DIMM Support...................16
Invalid Configurations.................................................... 16
ECC Support .................................................................17
Valid Front Side Bus and Memory Speeds.................... 19
Memory Organization and operating Modes................. 20
CONCLUSION...................................................................... 21
REFERENCES...................................................................... 22
15

DDR
MEMORY

American University in B&H

SUBJECT MATTER: DDR2 Memory
GROUP NUMBER: 9
MEMBERS OF GROUP: Adis Jugo, Irfan Hujdur, Nedim Kulain, Umur Yksel
SUPERVISOR: prof. Anel Tanovi

DABSTRACT

DR2 (Double Data Rate) is a type of

RAM (Random Access Memory)
being used as a primary memory of
computers. It is an improved version
of DDR memory, making it faster
and more efficient than earlier
versions. Its speed varies between
400 MHz and 1066 MHz. DDR2 is
the next generation of DDR memory
technology with much more speed,
higher bandwidthing, lower power
consumption and features which
brings
improved
thermal
behavior.DDR2 is available for
desktop computers, servers, laptops
and notebooks, telecommunications
/ networking. Thanks to its design
being upgraded, it runs faster than
standard
DDR memory. The
modification
of
design
also
improves the bandwidthing, which
means that more data can pass

15

through the RAM chip at one time.

DDR
MEMORY
INTRODUCTION

DDR2 memory was firstly introduced in late 2003. In the very beginning this type
of memory ran at frequency of only 200 MHz (as PC2-3200) and 266 MHz (as
PC2-4200).

Drastic improvements and the thing that made this memory better than its
preceding, was better memory bandwidth, lower voltages, clock rate and higher
frequencies later on.

Compared to single data rate (SDR) SDRAM, the DDR SDRAM interface makes
higher possible transfer rates by more strict control of timing of the electrical data
and clock signals.

DDR2

was a successor of DDR,

revealed in 2003 with original speeds
of 200 MHz (PC2-3200) and 266 MHz
(PC2-4200), but it couldnt reach
the popularity of its predecessor
DDR
due
many
problems.
However, DDR technology with a
speed of 266 MHz combined with
JEDEC Solid State couldnt make
a new model of the faster DDR
chips, but when new DDR2
modules with lower latencies were
relapsed, the DDR2 seemed that
finally started to function and operate
as well. 2004 was crucial for DDR2,
because it turned into a real

DDR2
stores
memory on cells, like other types of

RAM-s. External data bus is controlled

by activation of these cells at exact
time. Even DDR2 is really similar to
DDR, like in example in data transfer

14

Clock frequency
200 MHz

means that DDR2 is twice more

efficient than first DDR.
Clock frequency Data bus
100 MHz
speed

200 Mbs

The main importance of DDRs high

frequency lays in the improvement of
its electrical interface, prefetch buffer
and off-chip driver which are various.
Prefetch buffer of DDR2 is twice bigger
then DDRs, equal to 2bits deep.

Data bus
speed
400 Mbs

1200

DDR-II
RAM

1000
800
600

DDR400@ 2.7V

and vastly improving performance over

SDR SDRAM.

200
0
Idd2F Idd3P Idd3N

Idd1

Idd4R Idd4W

Comparing to their latencies, DDR2

has 4-8 cycles, while DDR has twice
lesser. In such a way, to achieve equal
latency, we need twice that bus
speed.1 A word memory represents
physical device, used to store
programs or data on a temporary or
permanent basis for later usage in a
computer or other digital electronic
device. It is often considered that
meaning of primary memory is
connected
with
addressable
semiconductor memory; integrated
circuits consisting of silicon-based
transistors, used for example of
1 CPU offical magazin, September
2004

15

primary
purposes in computers and other
digital electronic devices. It is amazing
how many different types of electronic
memory you can access in your daily
life. Many of them has become an
integral part of our vocabulary:
RAM ,ROM, CACHE, DYNAMIC
RAM, STATIC RAM, FLASH
MEMORY,
MEMORY
STICKS,VIRTUAL
MEMORY,
VIDEO MEMORY,BIOS. There is
only one older version of DDR2 RAM
called popularly DDR RAM or DDR1
RAM. DDR allows applications to
transfer data on both, rising and falling
edges of a clock signal, doubling
bandwidth

DDR2-533@ 1.9V

400
DDR
RAM

DDR
memory MEMORY
but also other

Like be said before, DDR2 memory

can also
Idd5
Idd7send data on both the falling
edges and the rising of the processor's
clock cycles. This almost doubles the
amount of work the RAM can do in a
given amount of time. DDR and DDR2
are both, types of SDRAM, which
allows them to run faster than ordinary
memory.
While
DDRconsumption
and
DDR2
have
Power
of
similarities, DDR2 RAM uses a
and DDR2
different design than DDR memory.
The improved design of DDR2 RAM
allows it to run faster than standard
DDR memory. The new design also
gives the RAM more bandwidth, which
means more data can be passed
through the RAM chip at the time. This
increases the efficiency of the memory.
Since DDR2 runs more efficiently than

DDR

DDR
MEMORY
standard DDR memory, it uses less
power than DDR memory, even though
it runs faster. The only bad thing about
DDR2 memory is that it is not
compatible with standard DDR slots.

14

Bus data
Bus frequency
DRAM frequency
Type of package
Capacity
Voltage
Prefetch buffer
CAS delay

DDR
MEMORY

DDR
64
100/133/166/200 MHz
100/133/166/200 MHz
TSOP-II
256MB 512MB 1GB
2.5V
2 bits
1.5, 2, 2.5

DDR2
64
200/266/333, 400, 533, 800, 1066 MHz
100/133/166, 200 MHz
FBGA
256MB 512MB 1GB
1.8V
4 bits
3+, 4, 5

Comperation between DDR

and DDR2

ARCHITECTURE OF RAM
-

Dell Corporation gave a new dimension of DDR2. It is now, beside Intel, the
leading world producer of this kind of memory.

DDR2 helps enable faster and higher-density main memory solutions than
DDR, offering the potential for better application performance and larger
memory configurations than DDR

Double data rate 2 (DDR2) is nextgeneration memory architecture in

enterprise and client systems which is
supported by eighth-generation Dell
servers such as the PowerEdge 1850
and also PowerEdge 2850. These
servers use memory devices that are
compatible with DDR2 requirements
which are published by the Joint
Electron Device Engineering Council
(JEDEC) of which Dell is a member.
DDR2
memory
is
more
like
evolutionary than revolutionary when
you compare it to DDR1. It uses same
DRAM-based
technology
which
industry has used for years. DDR2
memory has upper hand on DDR1

15

because it is
designed
for
providing greater
bandwidth
and
some
different
features
which
are developed to
help to lower
power consumption.

DDR
MEMORY
Most applications and workloads are
sensitive to performance of the
memory which plays important part in
performance
and
application
scalability. Some ordinary applications
such as mail servers, Web servers or

533

MT/sec,

667

potentially

MT/sec,

800

and

MT/sec.

4n prefetch: Instead of using

2n prefetch which is used for DDR1,
DDR2 devices use 4n prefetch
architecture.

Using DDR2, the

internal DRAM core is made to write

or read data at four time the width
device's

At

external

the

middle

of

interface.

2004,

Dell

engineers invented memory with

even data-base servers can overload
the memory subsystem of a computer.
That is why DDR2 differentiate itself
from DDR1 because its memory
subsystem is more robust and
optimized which can help enable
applications to scale better and also
run faster compared to DDR1-based
memory subsystem.

subsystem

These are the engancements which

discern DRR2 from DDR1:

and large cache lines, high-memory

Higher memory transfer rates:

for CPU and cache. Amount of traffic

called

performances

eight-generation

previous versions by performances of

bandwidth and latency2. On Figure 2 is
shown PowerEdge configuration used
for testing. Introduction of cache levels
bandwidth showed as really important
through

memory,

rates than DDR1. which is designed for

MB/sec,

which

200

memory

to

(megatransfers

per

PowerEdge

1850, the compared it with their

DDR2 supports higher-speed transfer

MT/sec

platform

is

CPU,

measured
moveable
is

defined

by
from
as

second). 266 MT/sec, 333 MT/sec, and

MEMORY BANDWITH, while memory

400 MT/sec. And for current DDR2

access time, or time needed for

specifications

for 400

processor for satisfaction for reading

MT/sec (you can see that is highest

request is called memory latency. The

megatransfer

average latency is primarily depending

which

calls

per second for DDR1

and lowest for DDR2, which proves

how evolutionary is this RAM memory),

2 Dell Corporation web site

14

of clock speed, cache performances

This voltage

DDR
MEMORY
decreasment
has the

and application characteristics. On

potential

reduce

Figure

requirements

3,

test

results

of

DELL

to

overall

power

for

the

memory

DDR2

isn't

backward

engineers are showing performances

subsystem.

of STREAM benchmark which was

compatible with DDR modules. Even

measuring memory bandwidth from

though, DDR2 modules are the same

CPU to memory.

length

The PowerEdge

as

DDR

modules,

main

1750 with DDR at 266 MHz and a 533

differences are in signaling, connectors

MHz CPU frontside bus achieved a

and supply voltages. And that's the

sustainable
MB/sec

to

bandwidtof
2431

MB/sec.

2162
To

compare, DDR the internal DRAM

core is used to write or read data
four times of the width of device's
external interface. Result is that
internal DRAM core's 4n prefetch
architecture enables DDR2 to gain

reason why DDR2

high memory transfer, higher than DDR

modules

memory. Reduced voltage: When we

used in earlier DDR

compare DDR2 to DDR, DDR2 devices

system. Almost every

use voltage of 2.5 volts, contrary to

newer

DDR, which uses supply of 1.8 volts,

system has DDR2

that is almost 30 percent decrease.

sockets and support

the

can't

be

computer

faster

modules.

DDR2
Amount

of

memory

supported depends on the platform

which is used. In Figure 1 we can see
the data transfer rate, bus frequency
and bandwith associated with each
type of DDR2 module.

15

DDR
MEMORY
In Figure 4 we can see that memory
read latencies were measured with
Lmbench benchmarking tool on the
PowerEdge 1750 with DDR at 266MHz
for different stride-size and data sets.

Results of the test in this study indicate

that bigger stride sizes result in openpage access which can lead to
memory latencies in range of 140
nanoseconds.
In Figure 5 memory read latencies
are measured on PowerEdge 1850
with DDR2 at 400 MHz. Latencies
for open-page accesses were closer
to 120 nanoseconds in this specific
configuration.
In overall the memory latencies
observed were lower when using
DDR2 memory than using DDR.
Lower
latency,
coupled
with
improvement and increasment of
bandwith of DDR2 memory was
demonstrated using the STREAM
benchmark in this case, can help

improving
the
performance
of
applications which are sensitive to
memory subsystem servers, like
database servers or Web servers.
Enabling higher performance using
DDR2 memory
With transitioning of DELLs server
platforms to DDR2 memory, they
continue to go towards higherperformance
system
while
maintaining a reasonable ratio of
price and performance. DDR2
provides
eight
generation
PowerEdge platforms with faster
memory
technology,
which
is
designed to support increased
memory bandwith and faster data
transfers. These improvements are
made to help enterprise applications
to run on eight generation PowerEdge
servers and to scale and perform

better than the previous generations of

PowerEdge.

14

DDR
MEMORY
DDR2

The Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor Product Line (EP80579) integrates

a single-channel DDR2 system memory controller with a single 64-bit wide bus
interface. The memory controller provides support for 2 ranks, unbuffered or
registered DDR2 configurations, operating at DDR2-400/533/667/800 MT/s
speed rates.

The EP80579 is designed to support 256Mb, 512Mb, 1Gb and 2Gb density
memory parts in the x8 configuration.

DDR2 (x8) Addressing

The Intel EP80579 Integrated
Processor Product Line Datasheet
presents a list of memory addressing
and densities of x8 memory
configurations supported by EP80579.
Furthermore, the memory controller
needs for the 256Mb and 512Mb
density parts to be 4 bank configured,
while for the 1Gb and 2Gb density
parts to be 8 bank configured.
Since the page size (column
addressing) and bank (bank
addressing) are specified for the
supported memory densities, the row
addressing, and therefore the
structural architecture of the memories
are also unreservedly defined. For
example, the x8, 4 banks, 256Mb
memory is only addressed in this way:

15

Bank Address = BA0 - BA1 (4

banks)
Row Address = A0 - A12 (8K)

Column Address = A0 - A9 (1K

page size)

DDR2 (x16) Design Considerations

Even though the EP80579 has
been validated and designed for with
x8 memory configuration only, it is
possible to choose x16 memory parts
which behave exactly like x8 memory
devices. DDR2 x16 memories is used,
only
when,
the
x16
memory
configuration
addressing
adheres
identically to the column, bank and row
addressing of the x8 memory
configurations
for
the
memory
densities, as stated in the Intel
EP80579
Integrated
Processor
Product
Line
Datasheet.
The
conventionality of the addressing
between the two configurations
enables the x16 configuration to be
seen by the EP80579 as for x8
configuration only difference to be their
capacity.

DDR
MEMORY

EP90579 DDR2 Configurations

Table 2 shows the different
memory capacities supported by
EP80579 in a 64 b bus width mode in
the x16 and x8 configuration. The table
presumes a 64 bit bus and no Error
Correction. Anyhow, all configurations
are used to support 32 bit bus designs.
The first column displays the total
DRAM capacity on the channel. Other
columns indicate the DRAM devices
features, densities, the number of

devices required to achieve the given

capacity and technologies. The table
accepts single rank configurations only.
The numbers of devices double in dual
rank configuration designs.
For dual rank configurations, the
minimum capacity supported by
EP80579 is 256 MB and the maximum
capacity which is supported is 4 GB.

x8 Devices
Total DRAM
Capacity

DRAM Part
Technology

x16 Devices

Total # of parts
(w/o ECC)

DRAM Part
Technology

Total # of parts
(w/o ECC)

256MB

256Mb x8

512Mb x16

512MB

512Mb x8

1Gb x16

1GB

1Gb x8

2Gb x16

2GB

2Gb x8

4Gb x16

DDR2 x8 and x16 Memory Addressing

Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, and Table 6, show the DRAM device addressing for the
various DDR2 device densities supported by EP80579. The tables also show the
addressing conformity requirements for the x8 and x16 memory configurations.
Please note, that for a given memory capacity, the DRAM technology required for
x16 designs is twice the density required for x8 designs.
Note: Memory configuration = (Bank Density) x (# of Banks) x (Part Width)
14

DDR
MEMORY
Table 3. 256MB Addressing
Parameter

DDR2 x8

DDR2 x16

Total DRAM Capacity

DRAM Technology
Configuration
Bank Density
# of Banks
Part Width
# of Parts
Page Size

256MB
256Mb x8
8Mb x 4 x 8
8Mb
4
x8
8
1KB
MT47H32M8 (Micron
256MbDDR2)
BA0, BA1 (4)
A0-A9 (1K)
A0-A12 (8K)

256MB
512Mb x16
8Mb x 4 x 16
8Mb
4
x16
4
1KB
MT47H32M16 (Micron
512MbDDR2)

Example Part Number

Bank Address
Column Address
Row Address

Table 4. 512MB Addressing

15

Parameter

DDR2 x8

DDR2 x16

Total DRAM Capacity

512MB

512MB

DRAM Technology

512Mb x8

1Gb x16

Configuration

16Mb x 4 x 8

16Mb x 4 x 16

Bank Density

16Mb

16Mb

# of Banks

Part Width

x8

x16

# of Parts

Page Size

1KB

1KB

Example Part Number

MT47H64M8 (Micron
512MbDDR2)

No manufactured 1Gb x16

(with 4-bank) memory part is
identified that conforms to x8
addressing configuration.

DDR
MEMORY
Bank Address

BA0, BA1 (4)

Column Address

A0-A9 (1K)

Row Address

A0-A13 (16K)

Table 5. 1GB Addressing

Parameter

DDR2x8

DDR2x16

Total DRAM Capacity

DRAM Technology
Configuration
Bank Density
# of Banks
Part Width
# of Parts
Page Size

1GB
1Gb x8
16Mb x 8x 8
16Mb
8
x8
8
1KB
MT47H128M8 (Micron
1GbDDR2)
BA0 - BA2 (8)
A0-A9 (1K)
A0-A13 (16K)

1GB
2Gb x16
16Mb x 8 x 16
16Mb
8
x16
4
1KB
MT47H128M16 (Micron
2GbDDR2)

Example Part Number

Bank Address
Column Address
Row Address

Table 6. 2GB Addressing3

Parameter

DDR2 x8

DDR2 x16

Total DRAM Capacity

2GB

2GB

DRAM Technology

2Gb x8

4Gb x16

Configuration

32Mb x 8x 8

32Mb x 8 x 16

Bank Density

32Mb

32Mb

# of Banks

Part Width

x8

x16

# of Parts

Page Size

1KB

1KB

3 All tables are used from Intel.com

14

DDR
Note: MEMORY
Example Part Number

MT47256M8 (Micron
2GbDDR2)

No manufactured 4Gb x16

memory part is identified that
conforms to the x8
addressing configuration.

Hardware Constraints
Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, and Table 6
show that, for x16 memory designs,
the EP80579 supports only 256MB and
1GB total memory capacity
configurations. This constraint is
based primarily to the fact that there
.

are no identified manufactured parts

for 512MB and 2GB x16 memory
capacities which provide the
addressing conformity between both
the x8 and x16 memory configurations

MEMORY TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTED

Does my motherboard support ddr2? When new PC components come to

market, it is almost always better. But unlike video cards or processors, new
memory technology doesn't come along very often. RAM or access memory,
PC memory usually remains unchanged for some years.

For example, DDR2 memory was firstly introduced in 2004 and only 12
months ago, DDR3 has taken over as the main type of memory for new CPUs. So if you are looking at this factor, DDR2 can be labeled as dominant
memory.

Some benefits of new types of memory aren't always crystal clear. When we look
in 2004 Intel introduced new support for DDR2, Athlon processors from AMD were
the highest performing processor despite staying on old DDR memory. That
means that you should not choose a PC based on the type of memory that is
using. Only one, DDR2-800 memory is supporting 1.8V operation by

15

DDR
MEMORY
JEDEC with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 supported on Intel Desktop Boards based
on Intel 965 Express Chipsets. Other voltages or timings above 1.8V arent
supported and often many initialization errors in memory occur.
The G(MCH) have support for DDR2 non-ECC DIMMs and memory technologies,
in this following configurations:

14

DDR
MEMORY
Table 1. Memory technology support

DRAM
Data
Rate
533
MT/s
533
MT/s
533
MT/s
667
MT/s
667
MT/s
667
MT/s
800
MT/s
800
MT/s

DRAM
Technology

Smallest Increments
(One x16SS DIMM)

Largest
Increments (One
x8DS DIMM)

Maximum Capacity
(Four x8DS
DIMMs)

256 Mb

128 MB

512 MB

2048 MB

512 Mb

256 MB

1024 MB

4096 MB

1 Gb

512 MB

2000 MB

8000 MB

256 Mb

128 MB

512 MB

2048 MB

512 Mb

256 MB

1024 MB

4096 MB

1 Gb

512 MB

2000 MB

8000 MB

256 Mb

128 MB

512 MB

2048 MB

512 Mb

256 MB

1024 MB

4096 MB

DRAM Device Support for Speed Bin

The G(MCH) has support for DDR2 DRAM Speed Bin on the following
configurations of main memory interface:
Table 2. DDR2 DRAM Device Speed Bin Timing Support
DRAM Data Rate
533 MT/s
667 MT/s
800 MT/s
800 MT/s
ECC Support

15

tCL

tRCD

tRP

Units

4
5
5
6

4
5
5
6

4
5
5
6

tCK
tCK
tCK
tCK

DDR
MEMORY
Intel 965 Chipset family does not support ECC.
DDR2 SDRAM Un-buffered DIMM Support
The G(MCH) has support for the following DDR2 240-Pin-Unbuffered DIMMs
on the main memory interface:

Table 3. Un-buffered DDR2 DIMM Support

DRAM Data

Raw Card

Rate

DIMM
Type

533 MT/s
533 MT/s
533 MT/s
667 MT/s
667 MT/s
667 MT/s
800 MT/s
800 MT/s
800 MT/s

X8SS
X8DS
X16SS
X8SS
X8DS
X16SS
X8SS
X8DS
X16SS

Number of
ECC/Non- ECC
Number of
Physical Ranks
DRAM Devices
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1

Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC
Non-ECC

8
16
4
8
16
4
8
16
4

Version
A
B
C
D
E
C
D
E
C

Valid Front Side Bus and Memory Speeds

The (G)MCH has support for the following system memory speed
configurations and FSB (Front Side Bus):
Table 4. Valid FSB/Memory Speed Configurations
FSB
1066 MHz
1066 MHz
1066 MHz
800 MHz
800 MHz
800 MHz
533 MHz
533 MHz
533 MHz

DRAM
Data Rate
533 MT/s
667 MT/s
800 MT/s
533 MT/s
667 MT/s
800 MT/s
533 MT/s
667 MT/s
800 MT/s

DRAM Type
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM
DDR2 - DRAM

Single Channel
Peak Bandwidth
4.25 GB/s
5.32 GB/s
6.4 GB/s
4.25 GB/s
5.32 GB/s
6.4 GB/s
4.25 GB/s
4.25 GB/s
4.25 GB/s

Dual Channel Peak

Bandwidth
8.5 GB/s
10.6 GB/s
12.8 GB/s
8.5 GB/s
10.6 GB/s
12.8 GB/s
8.5 GB/s
8.5 GB/s
8.5 GB/s

14

The (G)MCH does NOT support

system memory frequencies which are
exceeding the frequency of the FSB
(Front Side Bus). If memory with

DDR
MEMORY
higher frequency than
that of the FSB
is populated, the memory will be
under-clocked and will be aligned with
the FSB.

Invalid Configurations
This following configurations are not valid with the chipset family of Intel 965 Express:
DDR2-533 with any Speed Bin Timing combination other then 4-4-4

DDR2-667 with any Speed Bin Timing combination other then 5-5-5
DDR2-800 with any Speed Bin Timing combination other then 5-5-5 or 6-6-6
64-Mb, 128-Mb, 2-Gb, and 4-Gb Memory Technologies for DDR2
x4, x32 DIMMs
Double-Sided x16 DIMMs
Registered DIMMs
DDR DIMMs
Any DIMM with ECC technology

Memory Organization and

Operating Modes
The (G) MCH memory interface is
designed with Intel Flex Memory
Technology so that it can be
configured to support dual channel
or single channel DDR2 memory
configurations.
Relying upon how the DIMMs are
populated in each memory channel,
a number of different configurations
can exist for DDR2:
Dual Channel Symmetric each
channel has the same amount (MB)

of total memory and both channels

are populated.
Dual Channel Asymmetric in this
case each channel has a different
amount of (MB) of total memory,
but both channels are populated.
Single Channel - only one channel
of memory is populated and routed,
or if two channels of memory are
routed, and regarding that if only
one channel is populated it can be
either channel A or B.

The following sections explain and

show
the
different
memory
configurations that are supported by
the Intel 965 Express chipset family.
15

DDR
MEMORY
Single-Channel The system will enter
single-channel mode when only one

channel of memory is routed on the

motherboard, or if two-channels of
memory are routed, and because of
that, only one channel would be
populated. All memory cycles are
directed to a single channel in this
configuration.

Figure 2. Single-Channel Memory Mode Example

Dual-Channel Asymmetric

This mode is entered when both

memory channels are routed and
populated with different amounts
(MB) of total memory. With the help
of Intel Flex Memory Technology
this
configuration
approve
addresses to be bounced between
channels in interleaved mode until
the top of the smaller channels

memory is reached, allowing for full

dual-channel performance in that
range. Access to higher addresses
will all be to the channel with the
larger amount of memory populated
and thus giving single channel
performance
through
those
addresses.

Figure 3. Dual-Channel Asymmetric Memory Mode Example

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DDR
MEMORY

Dual-Channel Symmetric
This mode allows the end-user to
obtain maximum performance on
real applications by using the full
64-bit dual channel memory
interface in parallel across the
channels. The end-user is only
required to populate both channels
with the same amount (MB) of total
memory to achieve this mode. The
DRAM component technology,
device span, page size, and device

ranks may vary from one channel to

another.
Addresses are bounced between
the channels, and the switch
happens after each cache line (64byte boundary). If two consecutive
cache lines are requested, both
may be retrieved simultaneously,
since they are ensured to be on
opposite channels.

Figure 4. Dual-Channel Symmetric Memory Mode Example

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DDR
MEMORY

Figure 5. System Memory Mode Styles

Mixed DRAM Memory Speeds

The (G)MCH will approve mixed
DDR2
speed
populations,
assuming the SPDs on the DIMMs
are programmed with the right
information and the BIOS is
programmed as outlined in Intels
BIOS reference code.
In all operating modes (Dual
Channel Symmetric, Dual Channel
Asymmetric, and Single Channel)
the frequency of the System
Memory will be set to the lowest
frequency with its supported speed
bin timings of all DIMMs populated
in the system, as determined
through the SPD registers on the
DIMMs.

For example, a DDR2-667 DIMM

with supported 5-5-5 speed bin
timings installed with a DDR2-533
DIMM with supported 4-4-4 speed
bin timings should run at 533 MHz
with supported 4-4-4 speed bin
timings. The DDR2-667 DIMM
should downshift to DDR2-533
timings, and because of that it will
allow the system to run at 533 MHz
with supported 4-4-4 speed bin
timings. The DDR2-667 DIMM will
only downshift to DDR2-533, if the
timings
for
DDR2-533
are
programmed in the DDR2-667
DIMMs SPD.

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DDR
MEMORY
CONCLUSION

The main importance of DDRs high frequency lays in the improvement of its
electrical interface, prefetch buffer and off-chip driver which are various. DDR has
many advantages comparing to DDR. Choosing DDR2 RAM can be a challenge: The
asking price is obscene, the specifications are often bewildering and the price range
is huge. But after all, prefetch buffer of DDR2 is twice bigger then DDRs, equal to
2bits deep. Comparing to their latencies, DDR2 has 4-8 cycles, while DDR has twice
lesser. In such a way, to achieve equal latency, we need twice that bus speed. The
improved design of DDR2 RAM allows it to run faster than standard DDR memory.
The new design also gives the RAM more bandwidth, which means more data can
be passed through the RAM chip at the time. With transitioning of DELLs server
platforms to DDR2 memory, they continue to go towards higher-performance system
while maintaining a reasonable ratio of price and performance The (G) MCH memory
interface is designed with Intel Flex Memory Technology so that it can be configured
to support dual channel or single channel DDR2 memory configurations. So, at the
end, we can conclude that DDR2 is still the most popular and the most profitable
RAM on the market, no matter of new generation of DDR (DDR3) introduction. It is
the mixture of flexibility, cost and functionality. After our research, we would warmly
recommend DDR2 RAM to everyone.

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DDR
MEMORY
REFERENCES

DDR2 x16 Hardware Implementation, Utilizing the Intel EP80579, Integrated

Processor Product Line

Intel 965 Express Chipset Family Memory Technology and Configuration

Guide

Enabling DDR2 16-Bit Mode on Intel IXP43X Product Line of Network

Processors

Introducing DDR2 Memory in Eighth-Generation Dell PowerEdge Servers for

Improved Performance

Dell Latitude D620

DDR2 SDRAM - 1Gb: x4, x8, x16 DDR2 SDRAM Features

DDR2 SDRAM - 512 Mb: x4, x8, x16 DDR2 SDRAM Features

DDR2 SDRAM TECHNOLOGY

Hardware and Layout Design considerations for DDR2 SDRAM Memory

Interfaces

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400801,00.asp

http://www.diffen.com/difference/DDR_vs_DDR2

http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=3773

4 PDF book
5 Web page

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