FB-DIMM Memory
Illustration: Gordon StuderAfter some dramatic jumps in the past decade, memory speeds have begun to plateau. That's due in large part to the way standard memory communicates with the memory controller in your system. With standard DIMM memory, each DIMM talks directly to the memory controller, which can create conflicts that limit the amount of memory you can install on a PC. FB-DIMMs communicate via a single fast bus, linked by a special chip on each module that passes data down the line to the memory controller, reducing errors that can degrade memory performance. FB-DIMMs should start appearing this year in servers, but if system builders feel they need the speed, the modules could show up in desktop PCs by 2007.
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