Difference between single-sided and double-sided memory?

[masshass81]

I've read people saying 'make sure you get double-sided memory'... is there a difference?? Also, how can you tell if its single-sided or double by looking at a description of the memory at newegg or zipzoomfly.

 

[fuzzynavel]

I've wondered this too......someone please tell us!

 

[Pete84]

I believe that double sided dimms are slightly faster than their single banked brethern.
Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[willfreund]

NSingle sided dimms should always be faster.But a expensiver to make.A double sided dimm can have better performance than a single side if it has a good layout of banks (less banks/and or better quality pcb,layout

 

[Mday]

single sided: memory chips on one side
double sided: memory chips on both sides

double sided memory allows for higher densities per module, that is, more RAM chips, higher capacity module. If you insert a double sided module into a single sided dimm socket, you will only be able to access half the capacity. Of course, this assumes it is recognized. It is not as important to note single or double sidedness as it used to be. I cannot say most motherboards use double sided slots, since most motherboards use a mixture of both.

As far as performance goes, it's a relative toss up which is faster. It is not something you will notice unless there is something else going on with memory management.