How to calculate memory transfer speed
The memory transfer speed of a computer determines how fast various programs will run. A high memory transfer rate is especially important when you are running multiple software applications at the same time. The memory transfer rate is determined by three factors; the memory bus clock speed, the type of transfer process, and the number of bits transferred. Using all of these factors together, you can accurately compare different types of memory so that you get the fastest memory available within your budget.
- Determine the bus frequency. This information should be labeled on the memory packaging. The bus clock frequency is measured in MHz. For example, the memory may run at 300 MHz.
- Multiply the bus clock frequency by 1, 2, or 3, depending on how many streams of information are transmitted simultaneously. For example, DDR2 RAM has a multiplier of 2 and DDR3 RAM has a multiplier of 3.
- Multiply the result of the previous step by 64, which is the number of bits transferred.
Divide the result of the previous step by 8 to get the transfer rate in bytes instead of bits, since there are 8 bits in a byte. You now know the memory transfer rate in bits and bytes.