video random access memory

hardware (VRAM) Fast memory designed for storing the image

to be displayed on a computer's monitor. VRAM may be built

from special memory integrated circuits designed to be

accessed sequentially.

VRAM must be fast enough to supply data to the display

electronics at the speed at which the screen is scanned. Thus

for example, for a resolution of 1280x1024 eight-bit

pixels at a refresh rate of 70 Hz, the video memory

would need to supply 1280x1024x70 = 90 Mbyte/s or one byte

every 11 ns. The VRAM may be dual ported in order to allow

the display electronics and the CPU to access it at the same

time.

In an IBM PC the VRAM is located on the display interface

card and 0.5 - 2 MB is typical.

A VRAM Song !

(2001-02-14)