VRAM is a type of computer memory that enables color graphics in video games and other devices. It can be accessed by two devices simultaneously, resulting in smoother video and higher resolution images. While traditionally expensive, alternatives like SGRAM offer similar performance at a lower cost.
VRAM, short for Video Random Access Memory, is a type of solid-state computer memory that makes possible color graphics such as those used in video games and graphical user interfaces. Invented in 1980 by IBM researchers, the company commercialized the technology in 1986 in a high-resolution graphics adapter for personal computers. Since then, the technology has spread to electronic devices such as smartphones, video games, GPS and other devices that require the display of complex color graphics and 3D images.
All computers need two basic types of memory to function. Random Access Memory (RAM) allows for quick temporary storage of software, operating instructions that allow users to play games, browse the Internet and do thousands of other things. Read Only Memory (ROM) allows for permanent storage of software, the kind that must be used every time you turn on your computer, such as software that tells a cell phone how to display information on a built-in screen.
Between the two basic types of computer memory are special pieces like VRAM. VRAM works with special graphics processors inside the computer to send moving images, images and text to the screen. Previously, computers used dynamic random access memory (DRAM) to display photos and other images on the screen. DRAM was slow, however, working on one task at a time. To speed things up, variations of DRAM such as Fast Page Mode, Extended Data-Out and Synchronous DRAM have been developed; SDRAM is still one of the most common types of memory in desktops.
What makes VRAM more powerful than these other types of memory is that it can be accessed by two different devices at the same time. This means that screen updates can occur at the same time as the video processor pushes more data into VRAM, resulting in smoother video, higher resolution images, and greater color depth. VRAM also contains the geometry and texture map data needed to process 3D images. This made modern 3D video games possible.
Memory that can be accessed by two devices, also called dual-ported memory, has traditionally been expensive. VRAM changed this, allowing high resolution color graphics to become more common. The advent of the modern era of desktop computers probably would have taken much longer without VRAM.
One drawback of VRAM, however, is still its high cost due to the thickness of the silicon in its chips. Alternatively, many graphics cards use synchronous graphics RAM (SGRAM). This offers similar performance to VRAM, but is thinner and costs less to manufacture.
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