RAM SS vs. DS- Which is the Best? A Definitive Guide [2022]

• About
• Latest Posts

Asen Stoyanchev

Owner | Content Writer at Maximum Tech

Asen is a Microsoft Certified Professional turned blogger with 10+ experience working in the IT industry as a hardware and software support engineer.

Read more about Asen here

Latest posts by Asen Stoyanchev (see all)

• Front Case Fan Not Spinning: [3 Proven Fixes That Work - June 22, 2022
• Is 60 Degrees Celsius Hot For A CPU In 2022? [Must-Read] - June 7, 2022
• How To Handle CPU Temps Jumping: A Definitive Guide [2022] - June 2, 2022

Are you looking to upgrade RAM on your PC but confused between RAM SS and DS? SS means single side, while DS stands for double side memory.

Some people even call RAM SS  “Rank 1” and RAM DS  “Rank 2”.

So, RAM SS vs. DS, which is better for your PC?

Well, both types of RAM are suitable for different applications. RAM SS offers better overclocking, whereas RAM DS offers more space making them ideal for CPU-intensive tasks.

In this article, you’ll find a detailed comparison between the Rank 1 and Rank 2 RAM. Moreover, I’ll help you decide which type of RAM is best suited for your PC and meets your requirements.

Lastly, the post even rounds up a brief overview of SS and DS RAM so that there are no doubts in your mind when making a choice.

Let’s get started

What is SS RAM?

The SS in this RAM stands for single sides, and it can store up to 64 bits of data.

This is because there are around eight chips on board, and each chip can handle eight bits of data. While double side RAM can handle up to 128 bits because of the more numbers of chips.

What is DS RAM?

As mentioned above, DS or double side RAMs have 128 bits, with eight black chips on each side of the RAM stick. More data retention helps this type of RAM achieve more speed as compared to SS RAM.

However, there are a few compatibility issues with tDS RAM due to the latest generations of SS DIMM available in the market.

RAM SS vs. DS: A Quick Comparison

In addition, below is an awesome video of RAM SS vs. DS comparison I suggest you check out.

RAM SS vs. DS: A Detailed Comparison

SS and DS Ram differ in many aspects. That has a direct impact on the performance. From rank to memory and overclocking power, I’ve covered all aspects you need to know.

Overclocking Capability

The overclocking capability of the RAM affects its performance and gives you a boost when you need it.

SS RAM has higher overclocking capabilities as compared to DS RAM. The reason behind this is a smaller number of storage chips.

SS RAMs have eight chips, whereas DS RAMs have sixteen; thus, single side RAMs are better for overclocking. Though there is not a major difference, still, it’s noticeable enough.

Compatibility with Memory Controllers

SS RAM can work more steadily and effectively with memory controllers as compared to DS RAM.

Double-side RAM can get stressful when used with memory controllers, and it affects computer performance.

Speed

When it comes to speed, SS RAM is faster as compared to DS RAM.

The reason is single-side RAM only goes around the rail once, whereas double-side RAM goes around the rail twice because of the greater number of chips.

The speed of the RAM also depends on the computer’s function. Some computers can perform well with DS RAM, while the majority of them perform well with SS RAM.

The most common case where DS RAM performs better is in computer systems that are compatible with LRDIMMs.

As a suggested read, check out my article “CL16 VS C18 For Ram“.

Heat Emission

The emission of heat is an important factor to consider when choosing between SS DIMMs and DS DIMMs.

Single-side RAM emits less heat as compared to DS RAM because there are lesser chips on-board. Also, this is another reason why SS RAM has better overclocking capabilities than DS RAM.

Cycles of Renewal

Parallelizing and masking the refreshing cycles is essential to improve a computer’s productivity when running CPU-intensive programs.

Single side DIMMs have fewer cycles of renewals, thus, you may experience some lag.

On the other hand, DS DIMMs can handle CPU-intensive tasks pretty well by reducing memory responsiveness for other unnecessary tasks.

Compatibility with Motherboards

There is not a massive difference between SS and DS RAM when it comes to compatibility.

In fact, you can use both memories alongside each other in some machines that require larger quantities of RAM.

However, some of the latest laptop motherboards only support single-side DIMM, and you cannot put a DS DIMM into the slot.

Switch Banks

Switching bank is a technique that helps increase the amount of usable memory beyond the amount that’s accessible by the processor’s default settings.

SS DIMMs do not need switch banks, whereas DS DIMMs do. Therefore, if you just need performance from your PC, choosing SS RAM will be a good idea.

On the other hand, if you want to specify performance to tasks, you should choose DS RAM.

Price

When it comes to price, SS DIMMs are cheaper as compared to DS DIMMs.

The reason why these sticks are expensive is that they offer better performance, have advanced overclocking capabilities, and have a quicker response.

Marking

This is a slight difference and does not affect the performance of the DIMM. SS RAM has a single “R” marked on them, whereas DS RAM has “2R” marked on them.

You can easily figure this difference out by holding both RAM sticks in your hand.

The Verdict

SS and DS RAM both have their own pros and cons, and which one you choose really depends on your system requirements and the desired result you want to achieve.

If you need better overclocking capabilities and want the RAM to stay cool for a longer time, consider SS RAM.

However, if you need it for gaming and want to create switch banks, you should choose DS RAM. Here’s an useful article for the most suitable RAM for Ryzen 5800x.

Frequently Asked Questions