What's the Difference between DRAM and SODIMM?

[oathmark1]

Is there any difference?

Also does it matter what frequency you have in the system, or should the frequency of the RAM stick match the mobo?

 

[SchizTech]

DRAM is a generic term for the technology underpinning modern memory - Dynamic Random Access Memory. To be more precise, it's SDRAM (Synchromous DRAM).

SO-DIMM refers to the form factor of laptop memory (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module). A desktop memory chip is a DIMM.

Both are generic terms, as to compatibility with a specific laptop more information would be needed.

 

[atomicWAR]

All sodimms are dram but not all dram are sodimms....basically sodimms are the laptop/mini pc form factor for ram. Dimms are the desktop variant. Dram is just the term for ram. So it very much matters what your using it with. Also yes frequency should match your motherboards and the faster the frequency the better the performance.

 

[oathmark1]

Okay, so if the frequency of the RAM stick is higher than the frequency of the mobo spec, it's not going to work?

 

[USAFRet]

Okay, so if the frequency of the RAM stick is higher than the frequency of the mobo spec, it's not going to work?

Again, you may be looking at desktop vs laptop.

Freq? Yes, that matters as well.
A higher freq RAM may (or may not) work on a board that only accepts a lower freq. But the RAM will probably be clocked down to what the motherboard can do.
Or, voltage and freq can be adjusted up or down, to make things work.

This is where research comes in.

Along with DDR4/3/2/...