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General Information - 

Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM)

A type of computer memory utilizing a printed circuit board with connection traces on both sides of the circuit board.

To buy DIMM chips see our "Memory Hardware" page.

DIMM Memory comes in several sizes as shown below.

• 100-pin DIMM - primarily used with printers.

• 168-pin - primarily used by desktop PCs.

Typical DIMM configurations are 

...8mb 1x64, 16mb 2x64 or 2x72, 32mb 4x64/72, 64mb 8x64/72

According to the manufacturer "Crucial"...

"A dual inline memory module (DIMM) consists of a number of memory components (usually black) that are attached to a printed circuit board (usually green). The gold or tin pins on the bottom of the DIMM provide a connection between the module and a socket on a larger printed circuit board. The pins on the front and back of a DIMM are not connected, providing two lines of communication paths between the module and the system.

168-pin DIMMs are commonly found in Pentium and Athlon systems. Each 168-pin DIMM provides a 64-bit data path, so they are installed singly in 64-bit systems. 168-pin DIMMs are available in FPM, EDO, 66MHz SDRAM, PC100 SDRAM, and PC133 SDRAM. When upgrading, be sure to match the memory technology that is already in your system. (Information on which memory technology is used by your system is included in the Memory Selector.)

The number of black components on a 168-pin DIMM may vary, but they always have 84 pins on the front and 84 pins on the back for a total of 168. 168-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.375" long and 1.375" high, though the heights may vary. They have two small notches within the row of pins along the bottom of the module"

• 184-pin - 184-pin DIMMs are used to provide DDR SDRAM memory for desktop computers

According to the manufacturer "Crucial", 184-pin DIMMs are used to provide DDR SDRAM memory for desktop computers. Each has a 64-bit data path, and can be installed singly in 64-bit systems. They are available in PC1600 DDR SDRAM or PC2100 DDR SDRAM. To use DDR memory, your system motherboard must have 184-pin DIMM slots and a DDR-enabled chipset. A DDR SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard SDRAM DIMM socket.

The number of black components on a 184-pin DIMM may vary, but they always have 92 pins on the front and 92 pins on the back for a total of 184. 184-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.375" long and 1.375" high, though the heights may vary. While 184-pin DIMMs and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins

• How to Install DIMM Memory Chips -

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