Thinkpads Forum

Hi!

Could you explain to me what these two acronyms, DIMM and RAID, mean. I am planing to purchase the W520 but i'm not sure what kind of impact will choises, between different DIMMs and whether or not I should take RAID, have.

Thanks for your answers
Tamme.

man, just don't be lazy and try to type these words in to Google...

DIMMs are basically sticks of memory, also referred to ad RAM. Generally these days 4GB+ is the best, the more the better but. It depends upon your usage.

RAID is a way of either mirroring data onto two or more hard drives for increased reliability, or linking the same kind of hard drives at a low level for better performance and larger capacity.


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DIMM = Dual In-line Memory Module
RAID = Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or Independent) Disks
('Inexpensive' is from when the concept was first developed when the highest-capacity disks were far more expensive per Megabyte than smaller disks.)

EDIT: Also in the case of laptops you technically use SODIMMs which are Small Outline DIMMs.

freicher wrote:Hi!

Could you explain to me what these two acronyms, DIMM and RAID, mean. I am planing to purchase the W520 but i'm not sure what kind of impact will choises, between different DIMMs and whether or not I should take RAID, have.

Thanks for your answers
Tamme.

DIMM = Memory = RAM. You want as much of this as you can afford, to the point of running your applications well. More=Better

RAID - if you don't know what this means, you don't need it...seriously, forget about RAID. Not likely needed for you and for general use.

SSD = Solid State Disk. You didn't ask about this, but you should get it on your new W520. Replaces conventional hard drive. VERY fast... = GOODNESS

Obviously more memory is better but the choices between the number of modules may be a bit confusing. Usually you would prefer a smaller number of modules for the same amount of memory since it gives you more room to expand later without having to remove any of the modules you already have. This would be more critical with a dual-core W520 since you only get two memory slots. The quad-core gives you four slots so you have a bit more flexibility.

I would agree with AMATX's comment about RAID.

Thanks everyone who answered. I think I will get the SSD a bit later on, when they are less expensive.