Memory Specs

[tgxiii]

I was looking for memory on Pricewatch.com and noticed that some websites ask for the model of your motherboard to tell you what kind of memory you need. It says what kind of module board you need (4 layer, 6 layer), the CAS latency (2.5-2.5-2, etc.), and the DRAM type (16x8, 32x8).

What do all of these mean and is it necessary that I get the type of memory module they say I need? I've never bought memory online; I would buy them at Fry's. Every type of memory I've bought always worked with my systems but I never considered module board, CAS latency, or DRAM type.

[JPMiller]

Well the places that ask for model of mobo are sometimes gearing that toward the fact that many people have prebuilt systems from HP, Gateway, etc. that need certain kinds of ram to run because they are so fussy.
The average person with a retail board can usually buy whatever as long as it is capable of doing what they want...If you just want memory that works and allows you to boot the computer and surf the web...do word proc. and stuff then any old generic mem should do...(some boards are fussier, but the mid range boards are usually OK)
If your going to overclock or are a power user or are buying a high-end board and components then those thing will come more into play.
here are a few places to learn more specifics.
http://www.xtronics.com/memory/how_memory-works.htm
http://www.crucial.com/crucial/pvtco...ce=motherboard
http://www.hexus.net/review.php?review=323
http://www.oempcworld.com/generic72.html