What is SP DRAM DIMM?

[Guest]

If you go visit www.pricewatch.com, you will notice that system RAM prices have gone down. Hurray you think, then you notice that the low price vendors indicate that the RAM they sell is only for AMD. Where did I miss this? When did AMD only RAM come out? Here is a piece of the text from the website, it indicates that the memory is for certain chipsets only. Why? Where is this discussed on Tom's or some other website?

Generic PRICE FOR ONLINE ORDERS - 32X64 256MB SDRAM PC133 (MADE BY 32X4) - * LIMIT ONE - High density Athlon only (-NOTIntel Mboards) online orders only $ 89
INSURED $11.00 11/22/00 8:21:12 AM CT Connect Computers
888-277-6287
949-367-2875
Online Ordering CA -
Generic 256MB PC133 SDRAM DIMM 3.3V 32x64 Unbuffered - with Lifetime Warranty -* LIMIT ONE - PRICE FOR PHONE ORDERS - MUST MENTION PRICE WATCH $ 91
10.50 FedEx 11/22/00 9:29:59 AM CT 1st Compu Choice
800-345-8880
800-345-8880 OH -
Generic PRICE FOR ONLINE ORDERS ONLY - 256MB PC133 SDRAM - 32x64 - - with Lifetime Warr - * LIMIT ONE - High Density $ 98
10.75 11/22/00 10:45:04 AM CT 1st Choice Memory
949-888-3810
-- P.O.'s accepted
Online Ordering CA -
Generic PRICE FOR ONLINE ORDER - 256MB 32X64 PC133 SDRAM DIMM Gold Leads, In Stock, Warr valid for Lifetime - * LIMIT ONE $ 99
9.85 11/22/00 11:56:15 AM CT pcboost.com
800-382-6678
.
Online Ordering CA -
Zeus Components IN STOCK, 256MB PC133 SP SDRAM DIMM 32x64 Non-Parity Unbuffered - * LIMIT ONE - Lifetime Warranty, Only Compatible w/AMD K7,Apollo Via 693/694 Chipset, SIS 630 $ 107
$9.95 UPS GROUND 11/22/00 12:28:46 PM CT AccessMicro.com
800-906-6868
.
Online Ordering CA SP256PC133SP
Zeus Components IN STOCK, 256MB PC133 SP SDRAM DIMM 32x64 Non-Parity Unbuffered Installation Guide Included - with Lifetime Warranty, Only Compatible w/AMD K7,Apollo Via 693/694 Chipset, SIS 630 $ 108
Read This! 11/22/00 12:31:11 PM CT Techsumer
800-899-8849
949-851-8078 CA SP256PC133SP

 

[Scout]

It's unclear exactly what they are talking about from reading your post. I believe the only "unique" AMD memory is the VC SDRAM supported on VIA chipset motherboards. It stands for "Virtual Channel" and I'm not exactly sure what it does differently. I simply use regular SDRAM in my VIA motherboards.

The new DDR Athlon memory will of course be different, but that's just coming out and won't be as cheap as the stuff listed in your post.

I've heard that some SDRAM won't work on Athlon platforms, but never visa versa...

Scout