[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | System Memory | DRAM Technologies ]

Fast Page Mode (FPM) DRAM

Fast page mode or FPM memory is slightly faster than conventional DRAM. While standard DRAM requires that a row and column be sent for each access, FPM works by sending the row address just once for many accesses to memory in locations near each other, improving access time. FPM memory itself is an improved version of its predecessor, page mode memory, which is very rarely seen now.

Despite its name ("fast" page mode), FPM is actually the slowest memory technology used in modern PCs. Virtually every PC made in the last several years that is designed to use conventional asynchronous RAM will support FPM, and it is a "safe" technology choice since using it doesn't require any special compatibility or support. However, it offers lower performance than most other memory technologies. It is also not suitable for high-speed memory buses over 66 MHz, because excessive numbers of wait states would have to be added. FPM DRAM typically allows burst system timings as fast as 5-3-3-3 at 66 MHz.

Next: Extended Data Out (EDO) DRAM

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