ECC and Non-ECC memory?

[Abos]

What exactly is the difference between error checking and non error checking memory? Can they be combined on the same board? I'm think about upgrading my memory inthe near future (I've using PC1066 RDRAM).


Thanks.

 

[ai42]

ECC basically has more memory on the stick and allows for parity bits to "check" the other useable memory to make sure nothing has changed. Definetly a must for servers and long term 24/7 machines. On average you have a bad bit happen once every 3 weeks (assuming you run 24/7), of course these errors for the most part are very minor but if you have a credit card server it could mean a bad transaction or something like that.

Now usually you cannot mix ECC and non-ECC memory since they have a diffrent notch in the memory (for PC100/133 and DDR) so you cannot physically put it onto the board. But for RDRAM I beleive you can mix them but you lose all ECC functionality.

 

[Abos]

Well, the memory I have now is Non-ECC, so I guess it doesn't really matter what I get then, so as long as it doesn't affect the performance.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[jjyiz28]

you could physically put ecc and non ecc together, but it will all run at non ecc. you need a board that supports ecc, and have memory that is all ecc, to run at ecc.