What do the numbers in PC100,
PC133, PC1600 and PC2100 stand for?

What do the numbers in PC100, PC133, PC1600 and PC2100 stand for?

In order to qualify as PC100, PC133, etc., a memory module must meet industry standards for use in a particular type of system.

In SDRAM modules, the numbers that come after the "PC" refer to the speed of the system's front side bus. In DDR modules, the numbers that come after the "PC" refer to the total bandwidth of the module.

Here's a short summary of each type.

PC100 memory is SDRAM designed for use in systems with a 100MHz front side bus. It is used in many Pentium II, Pentium III, AMD K6-III, AMD Athlon, AMD Duron, and Power Mac G4 systems.

PC133 memory is SDRAM designed for use in systems with a 133MHz front side bus. It is used in many Pentium III B, AMD Athlon, and Power Mac G4 systems.

PC1600 memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a 200MHz (100MHz doubled) front side bus. The "1600" refers to the module's bandwidth (the amount of data it can move each second), which is 1.6GB per second. PC1600 is used primarily in AMD Athlon systems and some Pentium III systems.

PC2100 memory is DDR designed for use in systems with a 266MHz (133MHz doubled) front side bus. The "2100" refers to the module's bandwidth (the amount of data it can move each second), which is 2.1GB per second. PC2100 is used primarily in AMD Athlon systems and some Pentium III systems.

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