Memory riser card for a computer system

Abstract

In a computer system, an apparatus including a power supply system having a voltage regulator and a power supply for supplying an unregulated voltage to the voltage regulator. A memory connector is mounted on the motherboard. The memory connectors is configured to receive a memory module. A memory controller is mounted on the motherboard. A riser card having an edge portion configured to be received by the memory module is removably inserted into the memory connector. A riser card interface is coupled from the riser card to the power supply system and memory switch for enabling an interface-dependent voltage to be established by the voltage regulator and supplied to the memory controller. The interface-dependent voltage is supplied to the riser card through the memory connector and is maintained at a level whereby the memory connector is subjected to an electrical current less than a maximum prescribed current. A voltage modifying device is mounted on the riser card. The voltage modifying device is coupled to the interface-dependent voltage and is coupled to supply a modified voltage to the memory module. A voltage switch is coupled to the voltage modifying device and to the memory controller for enabling the modified voltage to be supplied through the voltage switch to the memory controller.