RAM [Random Access Memory] is critical to the smooth and efficient operation of any computer. The Shuttle XPC System uses top performance DDR RAM to ensure that this cornerstone of your computing experience leaves you with nothing to worry about.

Top Tier? What is that?

All RAM chips are not created equal. Very few companies actually make memory chips but several hundred sell memory modules [DRAM chips attached to a circuit board]. The top tier suppliers manufacture the entire module and place the DRAM chips under a severe battery of tests that include extremities in temperature. Chips are graded based on their performance. The ones that come in top-of-class go into memory modules from top-tier suppliers.

What happens to the ones that marginally fail? They are often thrown out, but some are re-tested and graded for lower speeds. Sometimes they are sold to third party vendors who re-brand the memory with their own names. This "generic memory" will save you a few dollars and likely work today when installed in your computer, but it is prone to failure over the long term because of fundamental flaws that existed from the beginning.

Rocket Fast DDR RAM

DDR RAM stands for Double Data Rate RAM. It is a breakthrough memory type which boosts the speed of complex graphics operations and achieves higher bandwidth in data transfers.

DDR RAM is like SDRAM only twice as fast. It may be convenient to think of DDR RAM as either 333 MHz (166 MHz x 2), 400 MHz (200 MHz x 2), 533 MHz DDR2 (266 MHz x 2).

	PC2700 DDR	PC3200 DDR	PC4200 DDR2
Peak Bandwidth	2.7 GB/s	3.2 GB/s	4.3 GB/s

These three types are referred to as PC2700, PC3200 and PC4200 respectively. These numbers refer to the peak bandwidth or data capacity of the RAM. That is, 2.1 GB/sec, 2.7 GB/sec and 3.2 GB/sec. This is a measurement of how fast the RAM can actually supply data to the processor.

When you combine top-tier DDR RAM with the Shuttle XPC System's 800 MHz front side bus, the result is very fast, very reliable operation.

The DDR2 Advantage:

DDR2 is the next-generation evolution of DDR memory technology. DDR2 memory features faster speeds, higher data bandwidths, lower power consumption and enhanced thermal performance.

Key DDR2 features:

• 1.8 Volts operation, lower power consumption.
• "On-Die memory Termination" prevents reflected signal transmission errors.
• Operational enhancements to increase memory performance, efficiency and timing margins.
• 400MHZ and 533MHz modules up to 1GB per module.