John Chin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Russ:
>
> So the question becomes, is ECC memory worth the extra
> cost (say 50% more expensive) for the typical PC user,
> considering the fact most people have been using non-parity
> EDO SIMMs in their Pentiums for years?
>
> What about any performance hit?
>
> I have no experience with ECC memory, though I can see
> the advantage in critical applications.  TIA.

I guess I should have been clearer. The selection is not up to you. If your
system was designed to use ECC memory, then you MUST use ECC memory. If not,
then ECC memory will not work in your system.

As to performance, on systems that are designed to use ECC memory, all the
detection and correction is done on the fly by specialized hardware, there is no
performance penalty.

Memory these days is usually so so good that the extra cost of ECC is not
practical for the average user. Advertised soft error rates for DRAM is so low
that you will probably never be the victim of an error. The role of ECC is
better suited to large servers that have GB of memory, and are mission critical.


--
Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
1601 Technology Drive           CIS:    72401,276
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246