Electrical stability with modern RAM standards

[Benedikt]

Is ist true, that RAMBUS has better electrical stability at high loads and much memory (e.g. if you use the maximum of RAM with your mb), compared to DDR/SDRAM? Are serial technologies (such as RAMBUS) more stable than parallel (SDRAM); i just wonder because more and more manufacturers start to use serial buses/ports (Hypertransport, V-Link, Serial ATA, USB 2.0, Firewire)?
Why is it easier to use 2GB RAMBUS with i850 without any problems, than 2GB DDR with other chipsets?
I heard that both standards use 184 pins. Does RAMBUS use more GND (ground) pins than SDRAM, because it has only 16bit bus width (SDRAM: 64bit)? Is this the reason for the increased stability?

 

[AndyHui]

The advantage of a serial bus as opposed to a parallel bus is a reduction of clock skew. At higher speeds, it is far easier to make all 16-bits arrive on time, at the same time, at the destination, as opposed to having 64-bits all arrive at the right time.

Standard SDRAM is 168 pin, DDR SDRAM is 184 pin, RDRAM is 144 pin.

 

[Benedikt]

Oh, sorry. My mistake. But do you agree that the more gnd lines there are, the more stability you get? Or ist that wrong...?

 

[AndyHui]

That is certainly the reason behind the additional 40 cables on the ATA66 (and above) IDE cables.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< The advantage of a serial bus as opposed to a parallel bus is a reduction of clock skew. At higher speeds, it is far easier to make all 16-bits arrive on time, at the same time, at the destination, as opposed to having 64-bits all arrive at the right time.

Standard SDRAM is 168 pin, DDR SDRAM is 184 pin, RDRAM is 144 pin. >>

RDRAM for PCs is available in 184 pin. Here's my proof

 

[AndyHui]

Sorry....you are correct. RIMMs are 184 pins. I must have been thinking about SODIMMs or something.