main memory


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main memory

[′mān ′mem·rē]
(computer science)
main storage

main memory

(storage, architecture)
The storage device used by a computer to hold the currently executing program and its working data. A modern computer's main memory is built from random-access memory integrated circuits. In the old days ferrite core memory was one popular form of main memory, leading to the use of the term "core" for main memory.

Computers have several other sorts of memory, distinguished by their access time, storage capicity, cost, and the typical lifetime or rate of change of the data they hold. Registers in the CPU are fast, few, expensive and typically change every few machine instructions. Other kinds are cache, PROM, magnetic disk (which may be used for virtual memory) and magnetic tape.

main memory

The primary, internal workspace in the computer. When a computer specification states 4GB of RAM, it refers to the main memory. See memory.
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References in periodicals archive ?
To help boost the performance of the high-end pSeries boxes, McGaughan said that IBM is now offering 128MB Level 3 caches that run at 633MHz and main memory cards that also run at 633MHz and which come in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB card sizes.
IBM Cuts pSeries Tags as It Rolls Out 1.9GHz Power4+
Without this upgrade, the system memory capacity was limited to a total of 640 MB of main memory as currently specified in Apple documentation.
Trans Intl introduces 1GB memory modules for the Apple ibook G4
earlier this year released an industry first 512 MB [Mega-byte] memory module for the Apple PowerBook G4 Titanium 400-500 Mhz that enabled the system memory to be upgraded up to one full Giga-byte of main memory.
512 MB SDRAM Memory Module for Apple iBooks
The entry eight-way configuration of the GS1280 server costs $117,000, and back in August a 32-way with 32GB of main memory sold for about $1.
HP Ships 64-Way 'Marvel' AlphaServer, Adds Entry DS15
The Powerbook G4 Titanium has two memory expansion slots for main memory expansion.
512 MB SDRAM MEMORY MODULE FOR APPLE POWERBOOK G4 400-500 MHZ [TITANIUM]
Angara's main memory system eliminates the disk-related constraints of other RDBMSs, providing throughput up to 20 times faster than memory-resident cache of disk-based database systems.
Angara Database Systems First to Offer Main-Memory Solution on Linux
Designed for faster data transfer in desktop and notebook PCs, workstations and servers, DDR2-667 has 25 percent greater bandwidth than the fastest main memory available today.
Samsung Electronics First to Mass Produce 667 Mbps DDR2 Memory
Sun, he says, was anticipating a rise in main memory costs about now, and that price rise did not materialize.
Sun Cuts V480, V880 Prices By Up to 25%
A full-featured relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses main memory as the primary data store, the Angara Data Server will support Official Red Hat Linux 5.
Angara Database Systems First to Offer Main-Memory Database Solution on Linux
By rapidly moving to 90nm production technology in the production of 1Gb main memory, we are leading the way in attaining the highest density modules afforded by smaller geometries and accompanying manufacturing refinements," said Jon Kang, senior vice president, technical marketing, Samsung Semiconductor Inc.
Samsung First to Produce 1Gb DDR2 Dynamic Random-Access Memory --DRAM-- Using 90 Nanometer Process Technology

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