Designers of desktop and portable PCs will be able to significantly improve the overall performance of their systems with new 16-Mbit synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices from Texas Instruments.
"e;TI's new SDRAM provides a much larger bandwidth than asynchronous DRAMs. This additional bandwidth can be used either to improve performance of PCs and other systems or to maintain similar performance while reducing cost through the elimination of the discrete memory second-level cache or of the separate graphic memory buffer," said Bob Harrison, TI's MOS memory marketing manager.
"For systems such as portable PCs that have not included discrete memory cache because of space restrictions, SDRAMs will immediately improve system performance."
Controller manufacturers are supplying core logic chip sets and graphics accelerators supporting SDRAM such as the VLSI Technology device.
This new 512K word by 16 bits wide by two bank SDRAM broadens the TI SDRAM portfolio which includes the x4 and x8 devices.
Unlike asynchronous DRAM memory, SDRAMs use the timing of the system's clock to simplify design and enhance performance. The burst data access rate of SDRAM is as much as four times faster than that of standard page mode DRAM. And as the speeds of microprocessors continue to increase, SDRAMs will also trend to higher speeds.
Designated as TMS626162, the 3.3-V SDRAM device supports a clock speed of 66-MHz, with 83-MHz versions planned later this year. Next-generation devices in development will reach 100 MHz or more to meet the needs of future processor clock rates.
With two on-chip memory banks, the device can continually provide data through pipelined data access. While one bank is outputting data, the second bank can be precharged and begin decoding the next address.
In addition to PCs, the TMS626162 is also well-suited to set-top boxes for satellite cable television networks, video conferencing, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) communication switches, video games, multimedia systems and others.
Limited production quantities of the TMS626162 devices are available
during 1Q96. Full production is scheduled for the second quarter.
| TMS626162 | 1Mx 1650-pin TSSOP | $65 |
| 168-pin DIMM | 2Q96 | |
| TM1SP64GPU | 1MX64 168-pinDIMM | 2Q96 |
| TM2SP64GPU | 2MX64 168-pin DIMM | 2Q96 |
Suggested resale pricing in U.S. dollars in 100+ quantities.
"Intel believes EDO will become the mainstream memory
solutions for PCs in 1996, with Synchronous DRAM becoming increasingly
important in 1997. Intel will introduce products in 1996 that
permit computer OEMs to take advantage of Texas Instruments x16
Synchronous DRAM in differentiating their systems starting in
1996."
-- Eric Mentzer, Marketing Director, PCI Components Division, Intel Corporation
"In 1996 the PC industry will make the transition to the next generation of high performance memory, namely Synchronous DRAMs. VLSI Technology is ready with core logic chip sets and graphics accelerators for unprecedented levels of performance."
-- Desi Rhoden, Manager, Strategic Programs, VLSI Technology, Inc.
"PC system memory can play a vital role in running multithreaded
oper-ating systems on high-speed CPUs by providing high bandwidth
and minimum latency. ALI's Aladdin III chipset, launched at fall
COMDEX '95, provides a very complete high-speed SDRAM design solution
that takes into account the cost performance of motherboard designs,
ECC options and the number of memory banks."
-- John Cheng, Director of Sales & Marketing Division, Acer Laboratories Inc.
"VIA fully supports and encourages the use of SDRAM. Our Pentium and Pentium system logic Apollo chipsets enable PCs to perform like workstations when equipped with SDRAM."
-- Wen-Chi Chen, President, VIA Technologies, Inc.
"SDRAM is becoming the high-speed memory to satisfy the
bandwidth requirements of ever increasing processor clock rates.
OPTI's solid experience in the core logic chipset business makes
it well prepared to provide PC manufacturers a smooth transition
from OPTI's current products for EDO DRAMs to the new Viper UMA
core logic chipset for SDRAMs."
-- Prem Talreja, Director of Marketing, Core Logic Chipsets, OPTi Inc.
Download the 
Data sheet
March 1996, vol. 13, no. 2
Return to Integration Home Page