MT/s instead of MHz: Microsoft conducts RAM reconnaissance
The Task Manager in Windows will soon display the RAM speed in megatransfer per second instead of megahertz. This information has actually been common for several years.
The RAM speed is specified in megatransfer (MT) instead of megahertz (MHz). Nevertheless, the Task Manager in Windows incorrectly displays MHz. At least until now. According to the Windows Insider Blog, the DDR speed will in future be given in MT/s instead of MHz. Finally, I'm inclined to say - because the specification in MHz is not only wrong, but also misleading. Unfortunately, we also make this mistake in the specifications in our own shop. This is due to the fact that the data is still transmitted to us in MHz and this is adopted by the system.
Source: Kevin Hofer
This error stems from the early 2000s and the introduction of DDR RAM. DDR stands for Double Data Rate. With this, data is transferred at the rising and falling ends of a cycle. In contrast, with SDRAM, which was common in the 1990s, only one transfer per cycle is possible. There, around 100 MHz equals 100 MT/s. With DDR RAM, however, there are twice as many MT/s, i.e. 200 MT/s at 100 MHz.
However, RAM manufacturers have continued to specify the speed in the wrong MHz value, probably to avoid confusing customers. So if you read 6000 MHz for the currently most popular RAM in the shop, in reality it is only half that, i.e. 3000 MHz. It should say 6000 MT/s. At least most manufacturers now specify the correct unit. Windows is now following suit in the Task Manager and hopefully we will soon do the same in the shop.
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