Memory speed vs. memory timing??

A memory error resulting in a changed bit could have one of several effects. It could result in no effect (in memory that wasn't being used),
a changed pixel on the screen, a changed value in a running program's data, a program crash or erroneous operation, an operating system crash
or erroneous operation. It doesn't necessarily manifest itself as a "hang and crash".

Although memory is certainly more reliable than it was 20 years ago (anyone remember ceramic packaging and alpha particle induced errors?) it's
also getting much denser and using lower voltages both of which increase the likelihood of errors.
It's hard to find data to quantify the problem. Since systems not using ECC are unable to detect even single bit errors it's impossible to tell how
often they occur in systems not using ECC memory.

I'm sticking with ECC memory in my trading computers, where reliable operation is paramount.

Here are some additional perspectives on the issue:
Soft Errors in Electronic Memory – A White Paper.
Using a heat gun to cause ecc memory errors.
Samsung specifies a silent date error rate of one per 100 years or less on their Fully Buffered Dimms.

 

any ECC recommendations?

 

Unfortunately we are in a transition period where technology is moving to 1333Mhz FSB processors with DDR3 memory and ECC lags a bit behind. The old reliable motherboard supporting ECC was the Intel D975XBX2 which can be paired with Kingston 1 gig PC-6400 DDR2 ECC, but that motherboard doesn't support the new 1333Mhz FSB processors. The replacement Intel board the Intel DX38BT supports 1333Mhz FSB processors but it only supports DDR3 memory which currently commands quite a price premium over DDR2 and ECC memory is not widely available in DDR3 format yet.

 

thanks mekas-

IF you had to guess, how long before DDR3 becomes more affordable? Less than 6 months / more?

 

After the gamers have all bought their Christmas presents...

 

doesn't matter

 

thanks

 

There 3 important things.

First about memory is not the speed that will make a difference. Of course you need something fairly fast but not the fastest. YOU MUST BE SURE that you will have ENOUGH that is VERY VERY important. Soon as the computer use is 100% of ram you"ll freeze. So with all your software running you must have plenty of ram free to be sure that will never peak at 100%. Instead of paying for the fastest ram. It would be better to put a lot. 2 gig on windows xp. 4 gig on windows vista for exemple.

Second CPU is more important and must be fast enough to never get 100% peak of use.

Three Hard disk must be fast and not near being full this will cause some freeze also. Defrag you HD from time to time.

Also if you use windows vista you shoud add some readyboost memory usb stick...will help a little.

Coffee for your mind...It boost the brain and improve reaction time...joking here!

 

Do not use ECC memory for trading workstations.

It is slower than non-ecc memory (because of the higher latency resulting from the error checking/correcting) and will offer no tangible benefit to the stability of the workstation. If you have stability problems with your workstation, it will NOT be because you don't have ECC memory.

(Low quality generic ram could indeed affect stability, but that's the same for low quality ecc ram as well.)

ECC is designed for data integrity for server applications, not for the cpu-intensive processing needs of a trader's workstation or memory bandwith/low latency needs of a gamer trying to get max fps's.