Kingston DDR3 SDRAM ECC Network Server Memory

What Kind of Memory Do Servers Need?

Just because servers use the same technology as home computers doesn't mean that they use the same memory modules. The truth is that server memory is very different from desktop memory for a number of good reasons.

Why Do Servers Need RAM Anyway?

In many ways, servers need RAM for the same reason any computer needs memory. It makes the system run faster. However, there are several different factors that apply to making the decision of how much server memory to install:

• Operating System: Different operating systems have different memory requirements, and this sets the base level of memory for any server.
• Content: Dynamic content that updates for every visitor requires more memory than static content, which remains the same for every visit.
• Traffic: Traffic is the biggest hit on your local storage; the more visitors that hit your site the more you need to keep everything cached in RAM rather than sitting on the hard drive.

What Do You Have to Know First?

Selecting server memory involves asking a series of questions to determine which of several steps you need to follow. The first question to ask yourself is what type of RAM, as DDR3 and DDR4 are not interchangeable as the DIMMs are physically very different. The second question to ask yourself is what kind of data protection you need:

• DDR3 vs DDR4: While DDR4 is steadily taking over from DDR3 SDRAM, there are still a large number of servers that rely on DDR3. Not only are the two formats not electrically compatible, they are also not physically compatible. Kingston ValueRAM DDR4 has a 288-pin package, which is 0.9 mm taller than a 240-pin DDR3 DIMM and 0.2 mm thicker.
• Data Protection: Most servers rely on ECC memory, which uses an encrypted parity bit to recover from data errors. This not only prevents crashes and ensures uptime, it also prevents costly financial errors.  

Keeping Your Server on the Network

Few things are more important than maintaining server uptime. Products like Kingston ValueRAM server memory aim to ensure almost 100 percent uptime in conditions that are far harsher than those encountered by consumer DIMMs. Your laptop doesn't have to keep running for untold hours with hundreds or thousands of incoming connections requiring immediate and accurate responses. Servers do, and that's why the reliability of their RAM is so important. You simply can't drop unbuffered DDR3 SDRAM into a server and hope it can stand up to the load. Not only will it fail, but your reputation will drop with it. Servers need greater amounts of higher capacity RAM than any conventional desktop or laptop, and they hit all of it on a daily basis.

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