[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | Video Cards | Video Memory Technologies ]
Comparison of Video Memory Technologies
The table below summarizes the most common video memory technologies and contrasts some of their basic characteristics. Note that the bandwidth factor is intentionally approximate, as it should be considered a rough guideline and not taken religiously. Among other things, the actual bandwidth of the memory depends on the speed of the memory, which can vary widely (some DRAMs have access time half that of others). Also remember that the cost of the memory is only one component in the cost of the overall card. It is definitely not true that all VRAM cards are more expensive than all EDO DRAM cards, for example:
Technology |
Access Ports |
Approximate Bandwidth |
Relative Cost |
Typical Target Market Range |
Standard (FPM) DRAM |
Single |
Low |
Low |
Low |
EDO DRAM |
Single |
Low |
Low |
Low |
VRAM |
Dual |
High |
High |
Medium to High |
WRAM |
Dual |
High |
High |
High |
SGRAM |
Single |
Very High |
Moderate |
Medium |
MDRAM |
Single |
Very High |
High |
Medium to High |
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Standards
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