eDRAM
Computer memory and Computer data storage types |
---|
Volatile |
Non-volatile |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2008) |
Embedded DRAM (eDRAM) is
level 3 cache
and conventional DRAM on the memory bus, and effectively functions as a level 4 cache, though architectural descriptions may not explicitly refer to it in those terms.
Embedding memory on the ASIC or processor allows for much wider
eSRAM
. eDRAM requires additional fab process steps compared with embedded SRAM, which raises cost, but the 3× area savings of eDRAM memory offsets the process cost when a significant amount of memory is used in the design.
eDRAM memories, like all DRAM memories, require periodic refreshing of the memory cells, which adds complexity. However, if the memory refresh controller is embedded along with the eDRAM memory, the remainder of the ASIC can treat the memory like a simple SRAM type such as in 1T-SRAM.
eDRAM is used in various products, including
game consoles and other devices, such as Sony's PlayStation 2, Sony's PlayStation Portable, Nintendo's GameCube, Nintendo's Wii, Nintendo's Wii U, Apple Inc.'s iPhone, Microsoft's Zune HD, and Microsoft's Xbox 360
also use eDRAM.
Product name | Amount of eDRAM |
---|---|
IBM z15 |
MB | 256+
IBM's System Controller (SC) SCM, with L4 cache for the z15 | MB | 960
Intel Haswell, Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (GT3e) | MB | 128
Intel Broadwell, Iris Pro Graphics 6200 (GT3e) | 128 MB |
Intel Skylake, Iris Graphics 540 and 550 (GT3e) | 64 MB |
Intel Skylake, Iris Pro Graphics 580 (GT4e) | 64 or 128 MB |
Intel Coffee Lake, Iris Plus Graphics 655 (GT3e) | 128 MB |
PlayStation 2 | 4 MB |
PlayStation Portable | 4 MB |
Xbox 360 | 10 MB |
Wii U | 32 MB |
See also
References
- ^ Intel's Embedded DRAM: New Era of Cache Memory
- ^ "Hot Chips XXI Preview". Real World Technologies. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ^ "Haswell GT3e Pictured, Coming to Desktops (R-SKU) & Notebooks". AnandTech. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
External links
- http://www.cs.unc.edu/~jp/DRAM.pdf
- Day dawns for eDRAM
- http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3751/is_200501/ai_n9521086
- https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070214-8842.html
- http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-electronics-manufacturing/6302349-1.html
- http://www.realworldtech.com/iedm-2010/3/