DDR and DDR2 are incompatible specifications for RAM (DDR= double/dual data rate). DDR2 is faster (more bits per second), lower voltage. Initially Intel came out with DDR2 hardware closely followed by AMD. Already DDR3 is out but uptake has been limited due to high cost.
All DDRx RAM architectures are forms of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM), i.e. DRAM with a synchronous interface. The "dynamic" aspect of this kind of RAM is due to data being stored on capacitors which eventually lose charge, so this memory is constantly being reused. It's a computer's short-term memory.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Super Unleaded Gasoline
Gasoline or petrol is a petroleum-derived liquid mixture used as a fuel in internal combustion engines.
Super unleaded gasoline has a higher octane rating for higher performance engines.
Super unleaded gasoline has a higher octane rating for higher performance engines.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Sunday, 23 November 2008
What is HDMI? What is HDCP?
HDMI which stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface is an alternative to SCART (known as Péritel in France, trapezium shaped connector) and S-Video (analog video signal that carries the signal as two signals, luminance and color, round connector), for transmitted uncompressed digital streams.
HDMI connects digital AV sources to compatible output devices (e.g. television screens, computer screens), it's pure digital, no analog whatsoever. HDMI 1.0 was published in December 2002.
HDCP is the copy-protection scheme for HDMI initiated by Intel and Silicon Image.
HDMI connects digital AV sources to compatible output devices (e.g. television screens, computer screens), it's pure digital, no analog whatsoever. HDMI 1.0 was published in December 2002.
HDCP is the copy-protection scheme for HDMI initiated by Intel and Silicon Image.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
What is WXGA?
WXGA is "wide" XGA, a non-standard resolution derived from the XGA, or Extended Graphics array, standard introduced by IBM in the 1990s - the hardware of which was developed in the UK (for an enumeration of computer display standards see wikipedia). WXGA uses a "widescreen" aspect ratio (ratio of long side to the short side of a display unit).
Metrics for WXGA hardward include luminance in "nits" (an American term for candela per square meters (cd/m^2)); the word derives from the latin nitere (to shine). An average cloudy sky is about 2000 nits, an average laptop screen is about 10 % of that at 200 nits. The moon's surface is about 2500 nits, over ten times brighter than the average laptop screen.
Luminance is also known as luminous intensity or photometric brightness.
Metrics for WXGA hardward include luminance in "nits" (an American term for candela per square meters (cd/m^2)); the word derives from the latin nitere (to shine). An average cloudy sky is about 2000 nits, an average laptop screen is about 10 % of that at 200 nits. The moon's surface is about 2500 nits, over ten times brighter than the average laptop screen.
Luminance is also known as luminous intensity or photometric brightness.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
What is DIMM?
DIMM is dual in-line memory module, consisting of DRAM circuits. The successor to Single in-line memory modules, or SIMMs.
Standard SIMMs have a 32-bit data path while standard DIMMs have a 64-bit data path. This is suitable for the Intel Pentium which has a 64-bit bus.
Standard SIMMs have a 32-bit data path while standard DIMMs have a 64-bit data path. This is suitable for the Intel Pentium which has a 64-bit bus.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
DRAM 101
Everyone knows intuitively that RAM is computer "memory" that allows "random access" (access any location in memory in any order in constant time). RAM normally refers to volatile memory where information is lost when power is turned off.
But what is the difference between dynamic and static RAM? In static RAM, an electronic component known as a flip-flop (aka bistable (Two State) multivibrator) stores 1 bit of memory, in DRAM this bit is stored instead as charge on a capacitor or transistor gate.
The physical implementation of flip-flops is covered here.
But what is the difference between dynamic and static RAM? In static RAM, an electronic component known as a flip-flop (aka bistable (Two State) multivibrator) stores 1 bit of memory, in DRAM this bit is stored instead as charge on a capacitor or transistor gate.
The physical implementation of flip-flops is covered here.
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