How Many Pins Are On A DDR3 DIMM?

If you’re looking to speed up your computer, laptop, or mobile, RAM is one of the first things you better consider. You can’t get any RAM chip, install it, and call it a day. There’s so much more that goes into it. First things first, how many pins are on a DDR3 DIMM RAM chip?

The number of pins on a DDR2 and DDR3 DIMM chip is 240 pins, on SO-DIMM is 204 pins, and on Micro-Dimm is 172 pins. However, you should read your motherboard documentation to determine which RAM you should get. Each RAM type has different specifications and won’t fit in any motherboard.

RAM is a topic with many branches. Let’s focus instead on the DDR3 DIMM RAM to find a satisfying answer to this age-old question: “How many Pins are on a DDR3 DIMM?”

What Is DDR3 Dimm In The First Place?

Random Access Memory (RAM) has evolved many times over the years, serving as a vital component in your devices. There are several kinds of slots on your motherboard to fit many different RAM types.

RAM for computers is what short-term memory is for humans. If you memorize your friend’s phone number, it’ll remain in your short-term memory. You may forget it in a few minutes, hours, or days unless you write it down on a piece of paper.

So, your friend’s phone number will remain in the short-term memory until you memorize it by heart in the long-term memory.

When you browse the internet, edit a spreadsheet, or make calculations, this information stays in the RAM until you save it on your physical hard drive.

Most of your work on the computer stays on the RAM. So, your RAM and CPU communicate back and forth as you use your computer.

The more your RAM can store and process information, the faster your computer will be.

Computer speed has many factors, and RAM is one of them. RAM has different speed rates, architectures, and technologies. Each RAM type has a unique connection that will fit a specific slot in your motherboard.

So, you can’t just add or remove RAM to your computer regardless of its make and model. It’s because every motherboard has different RAM requirements.

Introduction to DDR3 DIMM Memory

DDR3 stands for Double Data Rate 3. It’s the successor of DDR2 and the predecessor of DDR4. Furthermore, DDR3 has double the data rate of DDR2. Thus, it offers better performance and speed for motherboards that support DDR3.

More importantly, it enhances the maximum size of a single DIMM to 16 GB of memory. (Stay tuned for more information about DIMM). Remember, when your motherboard supports DDR3 memory, you have no choice but to use a DDR3 memory module.

In other words, you can’t insert your old DDR2 modules instead of a DDR3 module in your motherboard. It’s physically impossible.

Number of Pins On A DDR3 DIMM

DIMM stands for Dual Inline Memory Module. It’s one of the most popular memory types for desktop computers.

It looks like the usual RAM module that you insert into the motherboard as one piece.

“Dual” means the electrical connections on both sides are different.

“Inline” means that it’s a double-sided memory chip.

So, it’s a double memory module that you can insert into your motherboard as one piece.

However, you should know that both sides aren’t identical. It’s like a coin with two different sides.

DIMM has a 64-bit data width, which means it’ll only fit in a 64-bit slot motherboard architecture. It’s because that’s how your RAM and CPU will communicate.

DIMM has different types. You got DDR SDRAM with 184 pins. And to answer your question, DDR2 and DDR3 DIMM with 240 pins.

You should also know that it depends on your particular DIMM chipset. The number of pins will vary based on several factors, like your motherboard type.

Number of Pins On A DDR3 SO-DIMM

Laptop computers use a small type of DIMM that’s called SO-DIMM. On smaller devices like laptops, you’ll need fitting RAM chips.

SO-DIMM stands for Small Outline Dual Inline Memory. Think of it as a shrunk version of DIMM as it’s about half the size. Small enough to fit in mobile devices.

DDR and DDR2 SO-DIMM have 200 pins.

When it’s a DDR3 SO-DIMM, it’ll feature 204 pins and fit into a 68 millimeters wide socket inside laptops and mobiles.

You should know that whether it’s a DIMM, SO-DIMM, or another type of RAM, they’ll have these tiny notches at different places. It’s so they can fit into their place in the motherboard. They also prevent inserting the wrong type of RAM inside the inexact motherboard.

If your laptop requires DDR3 memory, you can’t fit DDR2 inside the motherboard. If it requires DDR2, you can’t install DDR3.

So, it’s worth repeating because many people break the devices by stubbornly forcing the wrong RAM chip into the motherboard. As the old saying goes, measure once and cut twice.

Number of Pins On DDR3 A Micro-DIMM

Micro-Dimm is even smaller than SO-DIMM. It’s for smaller devices that feature a tiny 54 millimeters socket.

Interestingly, you can fit more memory on these tiny RAM chips. So, when it comes to memory, it’s not about the size of the chip.

On these little puppies, the number of pins of a DDR chip is 172 pins. For DDR2, and DDR3 that number is 214 pins.

The Full Picture

If you’re shopping for RAM, the right fit is paramount. Know before you buy. Study your motherboard requirements, and look at available RAM on the market. One place to start is understanding the differences between DIMM, SO-DIM, and Micro-DIMM.

You may want to search “DIMM and so-DIMM and micro-DIMM” on Google Image search to get some pictures of what’s in store.

Once you understand the differences and the specifications of your motherboard, you can shop with confidence and protect your computer from accidents.