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What is SDRAM Memory?
SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory) is what most computers were equipped with from 1996-2002. Its speed rating is given in MHz to easily compare it to system board bus speeds. This type of memory synchronizes its input and output signals with the incoming clock that is used in the system board. By doing so, data transactions can continually take place with each successive rising edge of the clock. As seen in the diagram below, the clock is used as the main determining factor for memory data operation. The memory array is composed of two banks that can be accessed independently.
Unfortunately, with today's very fast processor speeds, a needed wait state must take place before the information acquired from the memory component can be used by the CPU. In essence, the CPU must remain idle (halting its operations) while memory and other components in the system board catch up to its operation. Whereas the SDRAM components are fast in comparison to past technology, they are no where near reaching the processor speeds available today.
SDRAM is now being quickly supplanted by DDR.
