| Term |
Definition |
| RAM |
(Random Access Memory) A type of memory that can be written to and read from in a nonlinear (random) manner. When an application is opened. it is transferred from the hard drive to RAM where it is more readily accessible. RAM enhances system performance because it can process requests from the CPU more quickly than the hard drive. The kind of RAM used in main memory on most computers is Dynamic RAM (DRAM). DRAM stores data as electronic signals. These signals must be constantly refreshed to
keep them from dissipating. The more RAM your computer has, the more data it can store at one time and subsequently the more efficiently your computer will operate. The data held in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off. The term random derives from the fact that the CPU can retrieve data from any individual location, or address, within RAM. |
| RAS |
Row Address Select (or Strobe): a control pin on a DRAM used to latch and activate a row address. The row selected on a DRAM is determined by the data present at the address pins when RAS becomes active. |
| RDRAM |
Rambus DRAM technology is a system-wide, chip-to-chip interface design that allows data to pass through a simplified bus. Rambus uses a unique RSL (Rambus Signaling Logic) technology. Rambus is available in two flavors: RDRAM and Concurrent RDRAM. RDRAM is currently in production with Concurrent RDRAM production scheduled for late 1997. The third line extension, Direct RDRAM, is in development stages and scheduled for production in 1999. In late 1996, Rambus agreed to a development and license contract with Intel that will lead to Intel's PC chip sets supporting Rambus memory starting in 1999. |
| Refresh |
An electrical process used to maintain data stored in DRAM. The process of refreshing electrical cells on a DRAM component is similar to that of recharging batteries. Different DRAM components call for different refresh methods. |
| Refresh Rate |
The speed at which DRAM is refreshed. DRAM stores data as a series of electron charges in individual cells. This data must be constantly recharged or 'refreshed' to keep the data from dissipating. The refresh rate refers to the size of the data that must be recharged, and is typically expressed in kilobytes (~1,000 bytes). Two common refresh rates are 2K and 4K, with 2K being the faster rate. |
| Registered Memory |
Registers delay memory information for one clock cycle to ensure all communication from the chipset is collected by the clock edge, providing a controlled delay on heavily loaded memories |
| RIMM |
(Rambus Inline Memory Module)--A form of chip packaging that is similar to DIMMs using Direct Rambus DRAM memory subsystems. |
| ROM |
(Read Only Memory) A form of random access memory that can only be read from, not written to. Most systems use ROM to store the instructions a computer needs during the startup process. |
| Row |
Part of the RAM array; a bit can be stored where a column and a row intersect. |
