220-801 · Question #233
Which of the following is TRUE of RAMBUS memory in Pentium 4 era PCs?
The correct answer is A. All unused RAMBUS slots need to be filled with CRIMM dummy chips. RAMBUS (RDRAM) memory required all unused RIMM slots to be populated with Continuity RIMM (CRIMM) modules to maintain the continuity of the RAMBUS channel, which was a mandatory design requirement.
Question
Which of the following is TRUE of RAMBUS memory in Pentium 4 era PCs?
Options
- AAll unused RAMBUS slots need to be filled with CRIMM dummy chips.
- BRAMBUS chips can be mixed and matched for numerous sizes and speeds in a given system.
- CRAMBUS memory provides more throughput and maximum speed than DDR3.
- DRAMBUS slots are backwards compatible with DDR1 memory.
How the community answered
(29 responses)- A86% (25)
- B3% (1)
- C7% (2)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
RAMBUS (RDRAM) memory required all unused RIMM slots to be populated with Continuity RIMM (CRIMM) modules to maintain the continuity of the RAMBUS channel, which was a mandatory design requirement.
RAMBUS RDRAM used a daisy-chained bus architecture that required electrical continuity across all slots. Any unpopulated slot would break the channel, causing system failure. CRIMM modules are passive pass-through devices that maintain this continuity without providing actual memory.
RAMBUS memory required matched pairs running at the same speed and could not be freely mixed and matched like SDRAM or DDR.
By the time DDR3 was introduced, it had surpassed RDRAM in both throughput and cost-effectiveness, which is why RDRAM was discontinued.
RAMBUS uses a physically distinct RIMM slot that is completely incompatible with DDR1 DIMMs, which use a different connector and signaling standard.
Concept tested: RAMBUS RDRAM CRIMM slot continuity requirement
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