There are some key differences between server memory and regular memory. Although both belong to the category of memory products and are fundamentally the same from a broad perspective, they can actually be considered as two levels of the same product. Server memory is at a higher level, but it prioritizes stability and error-correcting capabilities over higher frequency or speed.
When choosing regular memory, attention is usually paid to its specifications, such as whether it is DDR3 or DDR4, its frequency, capacity, and the chips used, as well as its cost-performance ratio. These performance metrics are the main considerations in the purchasing decision.
In contrast, server memory focuses more on the technologies applied. Most advanced technologies are typically first used in server memory, while advanced manufacturing processes are used in regular memory. For example, server memory usually comes equipped with ECC (Error Correcting Code) technology, Chipkill technology, hot-swapping capabilities, etc., to ensure long-term stable operation and data error correction. Only a few products in regular memory have ECC technology, among which UDIMM ECC is one type, but ECC functionality cannot be enabled on a regular PC.
ECC technology is mainly used for data error correction, which is especially crucial for server memory under long-term load to ensure the correct transmission and execution of instructions. Additionally, hot-swapping technology is also important for ensuring the continuous stable operation of servers. It allows maintenance personnel to directly plug and unplug memory while the server is running without needing to shut down the server. In contrast, regular memory needs to be replaced under power-off conditions.
The structural difference is also reflected in the presence of ECC error-checking chips. Typically, server memory is additionally equipped with ECC error-checking chips, whereas regular memory is not. This leads to differences in capacity and quantity, with server memory usually starting at 4GB, while regular memory starts at 2GB.
Finally, it should be noted that server memory and regular memory are specialized types of memory and cannot be used interchangeably; otherwise, the system will fail to recognize them.
