Registered Memory

Registered memory is a type of RAM that was previously used only by servers. Now some PC processors work better with it. Up until recently, there was virtually no reason to install ECC RAM, let alone registered memory in a PC, because the increase in stability over an entire personal computer's system was negligible. New machines using Athlon's 64 FX processor, however, are reported to perform better with registered memory.

ECC RAM uses additional memory bits to look for and correct errors in data. For every 8 bits of data, an additional bit is set aside. If an error occurs within a 64-bit memory block, algorithms used by the ECC RAM provide instructions for the RAM to correct itself on the fly. While ECC RAM technology is extremely effective at maintaining system stability, registered memory takes the technology a step further.

How Registered Memory Works

With registered memory, the memory module holds onto all data for one clock cycle and sends it on to the motherboard with an ideal amount of current. This delay greatly enhances the stability of high bandwidth data access and is used primarily on critical systems like servers. It also enhances the stability of high-end PC processors like Athlon's 64 FX.

Registered memory can be both expensive and more difficult to find. There are relatively few PC systems that use registered memory and even fewer that require it. It also slows down systems by a few percentage points. While slowing a system is never ideal, the increased stability is often worth the slightly decreased performance.