Fueling Geeky Aspiration

Geeks will always be geeks. I'm no Alfred Nobel Prize winner nor a beauty queen but I do console myself with claiming geek-hood or that have forced myself into that demographic, at least, though real members of it may protest. But do let's move on, bear with me and just accept that, in fact, I am a geek; I have something to feel excited about today.

Yes, new stuff!

Today, I just got me this:

2GB Kingston DDR3 1066 /PC-8500 SoDIMM

Actually it's the same memory module sold at a local PC/electronic store, Villman and I quote:

FEATURES:

JEDEC standard 1.5V ± 0.075V Power Supply
VDDQ = 1.5V ± 0.075V

533MHz fCK for 1066Mb/sec/pin
8 independent internal bank
Programmable CAS Latency: 6,7,8,9
Posted CAS
Programmable Additive Latency: 0, CL - 2, or CL - 1 clock
Programmable CAS Write Latency(CWL) = 7(DDR3-1066)
8-bit pre-fetch
Burst Length: 8 (Interleave without any limit, sequential with starting address “000” only), 4 with tCCD = 4
which does not allow seamless read or write [either on the fly using A12 or MRS]
Bi-directional Differential Data Strobe
Internal(self) calibration : Internal self calibration through ZQ pin (RZQ : 240 ohm ± 1%)
On Die Termination using ODT pin
Average Refresh Period 7.8us at lower then TCASE 85°C, 3.9us at 85°C < TCASE . 95°C
Asynchronous Reset
PCB : Height 1.180” (30.00mm), double sided component

PERFORMANCE:

CL(IDD) 7 cycles

Row Cycle Time (tRCmin) 50.63ns (min.)

Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFCmin) 110ns

Row Active Time (tRASmin) 37.5ns (min.)

Power 1.560 W (operating)

UL Rating 94 V - 0

Normal Operating Temperature 0o C to 85o C

Storage Temperature -55o C to +100o C

To be perfectly honest, much of the details above I don't understand; just "blahs" ya know, and before you ask, nope, they didn't pay me for advertising. In fact I think I'm gonna ruin their good name with this post rather than promote the well-fare of their sales figures this quarter.

As you can see, the same module sells for Php 2,999 (around USD$ 66.31 - exorbitant, I know, but that's reality).

But it's not from Villman I got my new stick of 2GB DDR3 goodness: I got it from a nice lady who has got a small business in selling PC parts on-line and I only needed to shell out: Php 1,700 for an authentic Kingston.

Too bad for Villman who ain't gonna pocket that extra Php 1,200 on my expense, no sireee!

I'm excited to test it. Will post how it goes.

The Crucial Memory Advisory

If there's anything I never could get the hang of it's memory modules nomenclature. "PC-667", "1066 MHz", "DDR", "DDR2", "DDR3". . .etc.

After getting the HP Mini 311 on a 12-month-0%-installment-plan, I actually still have the nerve to contemplate on upgrading its memory. As if the 2048 MB the netbook came with out of the box isn't enough for facebook and all other "heavy" computing tasks that I do (shall I point out I'm using sarcasm right there, or am I being too much like Sheldon already?), my dream is maxing it out to 3072 MB.

The goal therefore is to find the perfect 2 GB stick to swap with the 1 GB stick already in the expansion slot so that if add in the on-board 1 GB, bingo : 3 GB of ram goodness!

So I look at HP's specs sheet for the Mini 311 and note that I should be hunting for a "DDR3 1066 SDRAM" module. A quick Google and a visit to local store's online site spit out stuff like this: PC3-8500, CL=7 1066 MHz and so on and so forth. Seeing those other bits of information, my instincts prompted me to question:

"Wait! So that means there can be other DDR3 1066 MHz but with a different PCx-xxx, CL=x configuration?" (Nosebleed?)

Given that I technically still do not own my netbook, I'd want it to last at least until I get to pay it in full and not kill it with faulty RAM module selection two weeks after I brought it home from the mall. I have to be careful I get the correct module. The HP Mini 311's Service Manual didn't offer much help in confirming the indicated specs of my target DDR3 module and I was pretty much stumped. Good thing there's Crucial's site which lists compatible memory for your gadget - just search for your model's brand model or make and voilà! Instant education on memory naming convention!