RDRAM

[¦är¦dē′ram]

(computer science)

RDRAM

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

RDRAM

(Rambus DRAM) Pronounced "r-d-ram." A dynamic RAM chip technology from Rambus, Inc., Los Altos, CA (www.rambus.com). Rambus licensed its memory designs to semiconductor companies, which manufactured the chips. Starting in the mid-1990s, RDRAM was used in video games and Windows PCs and competed with DDR SDRAM. Intel was an early champion of RDRAM but began to phase out support in 2001.

RDRAM came in 16-bit (single channel) and 32-bit (dual channel) modules with clock rates from 266 to 800 MHz. It was superseded by Rambus' XDR memory (see XDR).

Metal-Covered Modules
The Direct RDRAM chips used in computers were housed in Rambus Inline Memory Modules (RIMMs) with metal covers. RIMMs used different pin settings and were not interchangeable with DIMMs and SDRAM. See dynamic RAM, SLDRAM and memory modules.

RIMMs and DIMMs

RDRAM memory for computers was easily identifiable by its metal cover that served as a heat sink.

RIMMs and DIMMs

RDRAM memory for computers was easily identifiable by its metal cover that served as a heat sink.

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References in periodicals archive

Each of the two memory controllers on the EV7 supports four 18-bit RDRAM channels and offers each processor 12.8 Gigabytes/sec of raw bandwidth.

RAMBUS RDRAM MEMORY INTERFACE USED IN HP ALPHASERVER

In addition to the system demonstration of RIMM 4200 modules, Rambus will be demonstrating 1200MHz RDRAM operation in a PC and will also be presenting a session titled "System and Motherboard Design for High Bandwidth Memory Subsystems" at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, California.

RAMBUS DEBUTS RIMM 4200 HIGH-BANDWIDTH PC MEMORY MODULE

However, with Intel now allowing big PC OEMs to offer three tiers of machine (SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and RDRAM), consumers who prefer Pentium-equipped machines now have a middle-performance choice, not simply a decision between high-performance and low-cost.

Intel finally gives nod to DDR is it RIP for Rambus?

For customers interested in high-end, multimedia performance, a sample configuration includes a system with the Intel Pentium 4 processor at 2GHz, 128 MB of RDRAM, a 100 GB hard drive (one of the largest available hard drives in the industry), NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS graphics card, 16X CD-RW drive, Harman/Kardon (HK-195) speakers, M991 19-inch monitor (18-inch viewable) and a SoundBlaster Live Sound card for $2,208.

DELL DEBUTS DESKTOP SYSTEMS & WORKSTATIONS W/ 2GHZ PROCESSORS

A base configuration includes an Intel Pentium III processor at 600 MHz with 256 KB Advanced Transfer Cache and 133 MHz front-side bus, 64 MB RDRAM, 10 GB hard drive, integrated 8 MB 4X AGP graphics, integrated 3COM 10/100 networking, integrated audio, and a 1.44MB floppy disk drive in a small form factor chassis.

DELL UNVEILS OPTIPLEX GX200 PC WITH RAMBUS MEMORY SYSTEM

RDRAM promises much faster data transfer speeds, but there is considerable scepticism about the need for this new memory type.

Interactive: Thanks for the extra memory for PC-users

The dual RDRAM memory banks of the chipset together with the processor's 400MHz system bus enable the product to provide up to 3.2Gb of data/second.

Intel introduces 1.7GHz Pentium 4 processor

Nor has it determined precisely which PC makers bought the defective motherboards and configured them with SDRAM rather than the higher-speed Rambus-DRAM, or RDRAM, that is typically paired with the 820 chips.

INTEL TO REPLACE ONE MILLION DEFECTIVE MOTHERBOARDS

-- The HP Kayak XU800 PC Workstation, with an Intel Pentium III 800Mhz processor, dual-processing capabilities, 256MB RDRAM PC800, 9.1GB 10,000 rpm SCSI hard-disk drive, Digital Video Disk (DVD), HP LAN, 2/3-D Synergy II display adapter, running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and optimized for Windows 2000, has an estimated U.S.

HP INCORPORATES INTEL PENTIUM III PROCESSOR IN PC\SERVER LINES

The system addresses the need for testing PC133 devices today, and will meet future development requirements, such as PC200/PC266 or RDRAM.

HP EXPANDS FAMILY OF PRODUCTION TEST SOLUTIONS FOR SOC IC'S

NEC, like Samsung, has decided to re-fit facilities it was using for RDRAM production to synchronous DRAM production instead.

NEC and Toshiba Stop RDRAM Production

The 850 chipset supports only Rambus RDRAM, not lower-cost (and slower) SDRAM and DDR SDRAM.

Pentium, The Fourth: Finally, More Than Just Megahertz