Modern day RAM, static or dynamic?
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Back in the days I knew about hardware there were two types of RAM, the cool static RAM which does exactly what RAM should, and the far more common dynamic which needed refreshing. If I remember correctly, each bit was a tiny capacitor which would slowly leak charge so periodically you'd have to recharge it. The bits were arranged in a grid of rows and columns and there was some concept of RAS and CAS (Row/Column address select) but can't remember the details. That was nearly 30 years ago now I think about it. So, can anyone tell me how it's done these days? I suspect dynamic RAM is a thing of the past. And who can remember wiping the non-volatile memory of the day with UV light? I feel quite nostalgic.
Regards, Rob Philpott.
Rob Philpott wrote:
And who can remember wiping the non-volatile memory of the day with UV light?
I can! I can! I think I still have an EPROM eraser in storage! Marc
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Interesting point. I had (without much consideration) thought that dynamic RAM would probably have been succeeded by something newer and better. But for static if you can make a single bit out of two logic NANDS (or something like that - can't remember) with say 8 transistors then as you say for 8GB you are talking about one unattainable level of chip fabrication. Obvious really, when you think about it.
Regards, Rob Philpott.
Rob Philpott wrote:
But for static if you can make a single bit out of two logic NANDS (or something like that - can't remember) with say 8 transistors then as you say for 8GB you are talking about one unattainable level of chip fabrication. Obvious really, when you think about it.
Yup; especially since modern DRAM doesn't have to make space on the chip for a capacitor; instead it uses the miniscule amount of parasitic capacitance inherent in a transistor to store the charge.
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Interesting point. I had (without much consideration) thought that dynamic RAM would probably have been succeeded by something newer and better. But for static if you can make a single bit out of two logic NANDS (or something like that - can't remember) with say 8 transistors then as you say for 8GB you are talking about one unattainable level of chip fabrication. Obvious really, when you think about it.
Regards, Rob Philpott.
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Both. Caches on the CPU are usually static RAM, and the RAM that's referred to as RAM is practically always dynamic RAM (there are some weird other techs out there like phase change RAM, not seen in PCs as of yet) otherwise it would be huge and cost millions. 8GB of static RAM? You wish.
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A can of flux cleaner from the local Radio Shack or other electronics supply house works great! It's almost as good as triclhor. Also I've used the butane fuel (used for refilling the old flip lighters). The local library uses butane to remove stickers from their books. Do I need to invoke the don't use near open flame disclaimer? :laugh:
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S Houghtelin wrote:
Do I need to invoke the don't use near open flame disclaimer?
Oh no too late! I have some white camping gas I wonder?
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Look for one of these: http://www.pool-spa-supplies.com/index.php/miscellaneous-parts/extractor-eprom-ic-5-60-9003.html[^] - they prevent scratching of the tracks under the chip by holding the ends firmly. There is a higher tech version: http://www.inovauto.com/index.php/reparacao-auto/componentes-chips-1/eprom/plcc/plcc-ic-extractor.html[^] but while these are brilliant for PLCCs in carriers they are too "sharp" to grip an eprom properly.
The universe is composed of electrons, neutrons, protons and......morons. (ThePhantomUpvoter)
Ok my curiosity is piqued, why in the hell would a pool/spa supply house carry a EPROM extractor tool? They pull a lot of em out of the bottom of pools? :)
VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.1 ToDo Manager Extension Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
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Ok my curiosity is piqued, why in the hell would a pool/spa supply house carry a EPROM extractor tool? They pull a lot of em out of the bottom of pools? :)
VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.1 ToDo Manager Extension Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
At a guess, software updates. If they supply the controller software on an EPROM it's another way to make a little money.
The universe is composed of electrons, neutrons, protons and......morons. (ThePhantomUpvoter)
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At a guess, software updates. If they supply the controller software on an EPROM it's another way to make a little money.
The universe is composed of electrons, neutrons, protons and......morons. (ThePhantomUpvoter)
OriginalGriff wrote:
If they supply the controller software on an EPROM it's another way to make a little money.
Yeah that makes more sense then the idea I had that they recorded porn on it so they could display at bottom of pool? :)
VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.1 ToDo Manager Extension Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
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OriginalGriff wrote:
If they supply the controller software on an EPROM it's another way to make a little money.
Yeah that makes more sense then the idea I had that they recorded porn on it so they could display at bottom of pool? :)
VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.1 ToDo Manager Extension Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
That's either gonna be seriously low res pr0n, or a bad case of premature ejaculation! :omg:
The universe is composed of electrons, neutrons, protons and......morons. (ThePhantomUpvoter)
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt -
That's either gonna be seriously low res pr0n, or a bad case of premature ejaculation! :omg:
The universe is composed of electrons, neutrons, protons and......morons. (ThePhantomUpvoter)
I never said it was a good idea. :)
VS2010/Atmel Studio 6.1 ToDo Manager Extension Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
-
Back in the days I knew about hardware there were two types of RAM, the cool static RAM which does exactly what RAM should, and the far more common dynamic which needed refreshing. If I remember correctly, each bit was a tiny capacitor which would slowly leak charge so periodically you'd have to recharge it. The bits were arranged in a grid of rows and columns and there was some concept of RAS and CAS (Row/Column address select) but can't remember the details. That was nearly 30 years ago now I think about it. So, can anyone tell me how it's done these days? I suspect dynamic RAM is a thing of the past. And who can remember wiping the non-volatile memory of the day with UV light? I feel quite nostalgic.
Regards, Rob Philpott.
Who cares? Not that I'm a electronics engineer hell bent on inventing the next great RAM device ... Whatever works right now. Incidently, you might look at things like this. Photoshop 64-bit will run on 64-bit OS using 64-bit enabled memory addressing. And the user knows this because he can literally watch all of his RAM being used by whatever process apes the allocation grapher in Task Manager. That's all he cares about. But! The next thing he notices is that his graph goes to "all used up" and his Photoshop tool use starts to lag. he then says to himself "I need more RAM". Then goes out and buys another computer with more RAM. Gets home and installs Photoshop on his new box and notices that he has more power because he just sprung for more RAM! Simple as that. Who cares?
