ECC v Non-parity - Whats the difference?

[wahrez]

Hi

Whats the difference between these two memory modules:

512MB 184Pin DIMM PC2100 DDR RAM Non-Parity CL2.5

Storage : Capacity 512 MB x 1
Type : DRAM
Technology : DDR SDRAM
Form Factor : DIMM 184-PIN
Bus Clock Rate : 133 MHz ( DDR266/PC2100 )
Supply Voltage : 2.5 V
Module Configuration : 64 x 64
Data Integrity Check : Non-parity
CAS Latency : CL2.5
Features : Unbuffered
Compatible Slots : 1 x memory - DIMM 184-PIN

---------------

512MB 184Pin DIMM PC2100DDRRAM ECCRegistered CL2.5
Storage Capacity : 512 MB x 1
Type : DRAM
Technology : DDR SDRAM
Form Factor : DIMM 184-PIN
Bus Clock Rate : 133 MHz ( DDR266/PC2100 )
Supply Voltage : 2.5 V
Module Configuration : 64 x 72
Data Integrity Check : ECC
CAS Latency : CL2.5
Features : Registered
Compatible Slots 1 x memory - DIMM 184-PIN

What is ECC? There is a price difference of £30 between the two with ECC being more expensive.

Thanks

..Wahrez

[rmanet]

Bovon posted this reply on another thread......others may have thoughts but unless the mobo needs it, I'd go cheaper :D

Whats the difference between registered and non?

Registered ram has an extra chip that drives the ram chips. It is used in servers. Most boards like we use will not run registered ram. The northbridge drives our ram...if we install too much, the north bridge can overheat and burn out. The motherboards that allow that much ram to be installed, usually recognize the registered ram...like server boards.

anybody use ECC?

I don't..it takes one more clock cycle, which is not really needed in a home/gaming machine. Error checking is primarially for large companies to use where errors must be stopped in its tracks

[Midknyte]

ECC is for high powered workstations and servers. Home users don't need it. Your motherboard would also have to support ECC.

[Cyan]

Ah... but just imagine how many crashes would go away with ECC.

Nice, but more expensive than it is benificial if all you do are 'primarily' useless - power wasting - time consuming - things... *ahem* guess...

[Bovon]

Old data, but concerns ECC RAM, which should be the same even if the module is SIMM, DIMM or other. (http://www.corsairmicro.com/main/tecc.html)