ECC Memory

[shafe88]

Will ECC Memory work in a NON-ECC motherboard. I want to know cause on ebay I can get ECC memory cheaper than Non ECC ddr2.

 

[T_T]

Some motherboards and processors are able to support unbuffered (not registered) ECC, but will also work with non-ECC memory; a BIOS setting enables ECC functionality if ECC RAM is fitted.

ECC RAM can only be used in motherboards that support ECC. This is typically computers that are designed specifically for scientific calculations, or even financial computing. Server computers are no exception to this, as the demand for stability and availability are imperative.

Your typical motherboard, including the ones designed for the most avid gamers, and many processors for less critical application are not designed to support ECC.

 

[Kindredsouls]

I wouldn't recommend ECC memory for the average person or gamer. As T_T listed about, ECC memory is more for specialized applications, including server use. You'll also take a significant performance hit for using it.

 

[InvalidError]

You'll also take a significant performance hit for using it.

The few rare reports of people benchmarking ECC vs non-ECC only report a 1-2% loss with all else being equal, not what I would call "significant" under most circumstances.