Bank
When referring to memory, a memory bank or bank is the smallest amount of memory that can be addressed by the processor at one time. Below are the common configurations and explanations of banks relating to each of the major computer memory types.
- When installing a DIMM, RIMM, or later memory modules have banks that consist of one slot, therefore, one DIMM or RIMM memory module is a bank.
- When installing a SIMM in a Pentium computer, because the processor is a 64-bit processor and 72-Pin SIMMs are 32-bit, two SIMMs (2x32=64) are considered a bank. If upgrading to 64MB of memory install two 32MB SIMMs.
- When installing memory on a computer with a 80486 processor, because the 486 is a 32-bit processor and a 30-PIN SIMM is 8-bits, for SIMMs (8x4=32) are considered a bank. If upgrading to 64MB install four 16MB SIMMs. Keeping in mind that any memory currently installed in the computer would need to be removed and assuming there are four available slots.
Tip: Additional information with installing computer hardware.
Also see: Memory definitions, Slot