In late 1996, SDRAM began to appear in microcomputers. Unlike earlier types of DRAM, SDRAM is designed to synchronize itself with the timing of the CPU. This enables the memory controller to know the exact clock cycle when the requested data will be ready, so the CPU no longer has to wait between memory accesses. SDRAM chips also take advantage of interleaving and burst mode functions, which make memory retrieval even faster. SDRAM modules come in several different speeds so as to synchronize itself with the CPU's bus they'll be used in. For example, PC66 SDRAM runs at 66MHz, PC100 SDRAM runs at 100MHz, PC133 SDRAM runs at 133MHz, and so on. SDRAM speeds of up to 266MHz are possible. The maximum speed that SDRAM will run is limited by the bus speed of the computer. SDRAM is the most common type of DRAM found in todays personal computers. DOUBLE DATA RATE SYNCHRONOUS DRAM (DDR SDRAM) DDR SDRAM is a new type of SDRAM technology that supports data transfers on both edges of each clock cycle (the rising and falling edges), effectively doubling the memory chip's data throughput. For example, with DDR SDRAM, a 100 or 133MHz memory bus clock rate yields an effective data rate of 200MHz or 266MHz. DDR SDRAM uses additional power and ground lines and requires 184-pin DIMM modules rather than the 168-pin DIMMs used by SDRAM. DDR SDRAM also consumes less power, which makes it well suited to notebook computers. DIRECT RAMBUS (RDRAM) RDRAM is a new DRAM architecture and interface standard that challenges traditional main memory designs. It transfers data at speeds up to 800MHz over a narrow 16-bit bus called a Direct Rambus Channel. This high-speed clock rate is possible due to a feature called "double clocked," which allows operations to occur on both the rising and falling edges of the clock cycle. Rambus is designed to fit into existing motherboard standards. The components that are inserted into motherboard connections are called Rambus in-line memory modules (RIMMs). They replace conventional DIMMs. DDR SDRAM and RDRAM compete in the high performance end of the microcomputer market. RDRAM with its 800 MHz speed over a narrow 16-bit bus has similar performance characteristics to the DDR SDRAM with its 400 MHz speed over a 64-bit bus. Because of its new architecture a RDRAM system is somewhat more expensive than DDR SDRAM. Many computer companies make high-end microcomputers with both memory systems and let the consumer make their choice.
MEASURING THE SPEED OF DRAM
Prior to SDRAM, memory speed was expressed by access time, measured in nanoseconds (ns). A memory module's access time indicates the amount of time it takes the module to deliver on a data request. So, smaller numbers indicate faster access times. Typical speeds were 80ns, 70ns, and 60ns. Beginning with the development of SDRAM technology, memory module speed has been measured in megahertz (MHz).