Single In Line Pin Package

SIPP was the first memory module type to be launched. It is an 8-bit memory module using 30 terminals and was used on 286 and first 386 motherboards.

Since it is a 8-bit module, it must be installed like this:

• 286 and 386SX: Two in two, since the CPU accesses the memory using 16 bits.
• 386DX: Four in four, since the CPU accesses the memory using 32 bits.

Even though SIPP modules made memory installation and upgrade easier since the user didn’t have to install memory chips directly anymore, SIPP modules could be installed inverted; you could break or bend their terminals; and you could install terminals off the socket. Because of this kind of issues SIPP modules were replaced by SIMM-30 modules, which are identical to SIPP but using a different terminal system.

click to enlarge
Figure 1: SIPP memory module.

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