DIMM

Short for Dual In-line Memory Module, DIMM is a circuit board that holds memory chips. DIMMs have a 64-bit path because of the Pentium Processor requirements. Because of the new bit path, DIMMs can be installed one at a time, unlike SIMMs on a Pentium that would require two to be added. Below is an example image of a 512MB DIMM memory stick.

Computer 512MB DIMM

SO-DIMM is short for Small Outline DIMM and is available as a 72-pin and 144-pin configuration. SO-DIMMs are commonly utilized in laptop computers.

Some of the advantages DIMMs have over SIMMs

  1. DIMMs have separate contacts on each side of the board, which provides twice as much data as a single SIMM.
  2. The command address and control signals are buffered on the DIMMs. With heavy memory requirements, this will reduce the loading effort of the memory.

Also see: Memory definitions, RAM, SATADIMM