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The most common PC memory from 1996-2002 was SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory). Its speed rating is given in MHz, allowing the user to easily compare it to the system board's bus speed. SDRAM synchronizes its input/output signals with the incoming clock that's used in the system board. This allows data transactions to take place continually, with each successive "rising edge" of the clock. This clock is used as the primary determining factor for memory data operation, as explained in the diagram below. The memory array is composed of two separate banks that may be accessed independently.
A "wait state" must occur before the information acquired from the memory module can be used by the CPU, due to today's high-speed processors. The CPU must essentially remain idle, halting operations, while the memory and other system components in the board "catch up" to its operation.
The SDRAM components were fast in comparison to past technology, but they do not come close to reaching the processor speeds available today. SDRAM is now being quickly supplanted by DDR.
| DRAM | About SRAM |
| About DRAM | About Flash Memory |
| About EDO/FPM | About Embedded Memory |
| About SDRAM | About Optical Memory |
| About DDR | |
| About Rambus | |
| About FCRAM |
Other articles in this series:
How to repair RAM
Selecting a memory tester
Types of Memory
Memory Sources
How to test memory
Quality of Memory - Remarked versus marked, brand name vs no name
What is the SPD and how to program it
Evolution of memory