Virtual Channel Memory

What Does Virtual Channel Memory Mean?

Virtual channel memory (VCM) is a type of Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) designed to provide lower latency and improved performance than standard SDRAM.

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Compatible with the PC 133 MHz SDRAM standard, it was a proprietary NEC technology released in late 1990 as a cheaper alternative to RDRAM technology.

Techopedia Explains Virtual Channel Memory

VCM provisions a virtual channel for each master memory request, enabling parallel read and write memory operations. VCMs are known for:

  • Faster data access speed and performance, as its architectures place static registers between the core memory and pins
  • Providing parallel virtual channels

VCM memory is electrically, mechanically, pin and package compatible with standard SDRAM. However, the commands used on a VCM differ from those used on SDRAM.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…