When we analyze Gigabyte Z270X Gaming 7 motherboard, we talked about the DDR4 RAM memories that this board supported and we made reference to the ECC and NO-ECC memories. These types of memory require a somewhat more complete explanation and that is why we have thought of bringing you a complete article on this type of memory, how to identify them, for what types of uses they are intended and whether or not we can use them on our computer.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between ECC and NO-ECC RAM memory?
The DDR4 RAM itself does not vary at all, the memory modules in many cases can be the same in an ECC and a NO-ECC, what changes is if they integrate an extra chip, which is responsible for detecting the errors in one bit of a data string and correct it and in the case of two of these bits, it simply reports the failure, but does not correct the problem. Basically the difference between both memories resides in this point, for the rest we can say that they are the same, what's more, it could be that a manufacturer simply installs a chip for this function in NO-ECC memories (it would not be entirely like that, but it is so that the difference is understood a little). The price also varies, as an ECC is 15-25% more expensive than a NO-ECC.
What are some RAM and other memories used for?
Very simple, the ECCs are intended for workstations, servers and supercomputing, among others, spaces where suffering a blue screen can be extremely critical and very important data can be lost, for this reason this type of memory is used to avoid critical failures system crash, and vital data lost. The NO-ECC on the other hand are what we all have in our laptops, desktops and even in our smartphones, since they are cheaper and the possibility of a blue screen is not as critical as in the mentioned systems.
How do we identify them?
Identifying them is very simple. RAM memories are classified as 1Rx8 / 2Rx8 for ECC and 1Rx8 / 2Rx8 / 2Rx16 for NO-ECC-. This simply tells us how many memory chips there are per side. If it is '1R', it indicates that the memories are all on one side, while if it is '2R', this indicates that there are memories on both sides of the memory module. The values 'x8' and 'x16' indicate that on one side there are 8 memory chips or 16 memory chips, depending on the manufacturer. Most motherboards support 1Rx8 / 2Rx8 / 2Rx16 configurations, so no problem.
This is important to know, because ECC modules have an extra chip compared to NO-ECC. If a NO-ECC is 1Rx8, the respective ECC would also be 1Rx8, but it would have not 8 memory chips on one side, we would see 9 of these. One of them stands out for being different, a little longer than the rest, this is because it is in charge of correcting the errors mentioned above.
Which ones can we use in our domestic equipment?
The Gigabyte Z270 Gaming 7 motherboard, for example, supports NO-ECC and ECC memories, so we could install either of the two, although there is a peculiarity, that the ECC would work in NO-ECC mode. This is the most common in the vast majority of motherboards on the market, which admit both types of memories, with the exception that if we install ECC RAM memories, they will always work in NO-ECC mode, because the motherboards that we can acquire they have not been designed for these types of considerations.
How do I distinguish them in the store?
Do not break your head looking if they are ECC or NO-ECC, it is very complicated that in a physical or digital store they have this type of memories for sale and if they have them they will not put them, calm down. If we buy in a physical store directly, they will advise us some NO-ECC memories (unless they are a bit pirated) and if we buy in a digital store, as long as they mount it for us, they will notify us if there is any incompatibility or we have bought something that does not touch . We reiterate that normally all the modules that we buy will be NO-ECC, except that we buy in companies that only work with servers and other advanced systems and even so, they surely have NO-ECC.
Conclusion
We will hardly 'walk into' a store and buy memory modules by mistake ECC RAM, since those that are usually sold are NO-ECC and more those destined for gaming and overclocking, those that have a heatsink, which are NO-ECC. The price we must remember that it also varies in an increase of 15-25% in the CCPs with respect to the NO-CCPs of the same capacity and frequencies. What matters to us is that if the manufacturer tells us that the motherboard supports NO-ECC memories and ECC memories working in NO-ECC mode, it means that we will not have any operating problems if we install an ECC memory. Have you had any doubts?
Hi, good article.
Look, let's see if you can help me, it turns out they gave me an 4GB@8MHz CL2133 ECC DDR15 module and now I was planning to build a computer with a Gigabyte b150 chipset motherboard and a 3th or 5th generation Core i6 or i7, since I read that it supports both (in principle I would go for the 6th, which will be somewhat cheaper), as well as that it supports ECC memories operating as non-ECC, like the one you mention in the article, but I still don't get it... I intend to use the computer for games with dedicated graphics, so the doubt I still have is if I will actually be able to use the module without further complications, if it operates at the same speed as a non-ECC with the same latency and if, if something critical happens to the system (high temperature, blue screen, etc.) it would react strangely. It's clear that if I had bought it, I would have gone for a non-ECC one with its heatsink and such, or better yet, two 4GB modules, but that would be a free horse... Thank you very much in advance. Best regards!