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From: don@brahms.udel.edu (Donald R Lloyd)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Static vs. static column vs. dynamic vs. ???
Message-ID: <15571@brahms.udel.edu>
Date: 8 Nov 90 17:03:16 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Delaware
Lines: 39


	I've been looking for information on the various type of RAM for a week
or so, (more out of curiosity than out of any real need to know), and so
far have found only what I already knew:

	DRAM is relatively slow & has to be periodically refreshed
	static RAM is fast & needs no refresh

	I also found brief mention of "pseudo-static RAM" (in Tannenbaum's
"Stuctured Computer Organization", 3rd edition), which is basically
dynamic RAM with some refresh circuitry on-chip (?).
	Questions:
		Why is DRAM slower than SRAM?  I can't see how having to refresh it
		would cause any tremendous slowdown.

		What is static column RAM?  I've been told it's the same as static
		RAM, but that doesn't seem right (otherwise the 3000 would be 
        a good bit faster and a good bit more expensive).  Is it the 
		equivalent of what Tannenbaum calls pseudo-static?

		What about VRAM?  Somehow specially designed for video memory, or
		just some marketer's way to make the static RAM on a video card
		sound superior?

		While I'm at it, why are ROMs inherently so slow?

		Why is there air?

		How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

		Where's my free 68040 upgrade for the 3000 I just ordered?

	Thanks for any info you can provide.


-- 
  Gibberish             Soon to be Amiga 3000 owner/fanatic! (I hope)
  is spoken             Contact don@brahms.udel.edu for more information.
    here.               DISCLAIMER:  It's all YOUR fault.