SDRAM Idea

[Daovonnaex]

I'm no electrical engineer, but in theory, couldn't one desolder SDRAM chips off of a DIMM and solder on faster (i.e., some 3.8ns ones) chips?

 

[crypticlogin]

As I understand, there's more to the memory module than the RAM chips themselves. There's also a chip or two onboard that handle module autodetection (SPD, for one) and on top of that, the PCboard manufacturing and quality can also affect how fast the memory can be run at.

And would you *REALLY* want to solder each of the couple dozen pins on *EACH* of the chips, just to get a faster module? Unless you're a machine 🙂Q) or have access to a production machine, I think your time would be better spent working for the money to buy a faster module. 😉

 

[panglq]

But I've seen someone desolder and solder Flash memory(similar to SDRAM) modules before.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< As I understand, there's more to the memory module than the RAM chips themselves. There's also a chip or two onboard that handle module autodetection (SPD, for one) and on top of that, the PCboard manufacturing and quality can also affect how fast the memory can be run at.

And would you *REALLY* want to solder each of the couple dozen pins on *EACH* of the chips, just to get a faster module? Unless you're a machine 🙂Q) or have access to a production machine, I think your time would be better spent working for the money to buy a faster module. 😉 >>

I'd be willing to try it once...

 

[superlie]

Let us know how it work 🙂

 

[neuralfx]

i think the spd would be the main obstacle.. well hypothetically assuming you could desolder, and solder new chips without a problem .. i dont see it happening .. good luck though .. if for some chance it works, dont expect anything resembling stability, i'd be happy if it posted =) ..
-neural

 

[PandaBear]

It is absolutely possible. In my workplace people solder Rams here and there on development board all the time. You have to be able to do it in small quantity before you can rent a robot to do a couple sample. Also, speed of RAM module depends on the quality of your PCB as well.

The problem is, it takes so much time, skill, and f**kups that it is not worthed, you usually ends up with tons of dead one and a few useful one. Don't do it just to save cost.

regarding to the SPD, most overclockable motherboard can let you override your own speed setting.