MSI MS 6378 User Guide - Page 70

Glossary example, a modem chipset contains all the primary circuits for transmitting and receiving data; a PC chipset provides the electronic interfaces between all subsystems. CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) CMOS is a widely used type of semiconductor, which features high speed and low power consumption. PCs usually contain a small amount of battery-powered CMOS memory to retain the date, time, and system setup parameters. COM In MS-DOS system, the name of a serial communications port. DOS supports four serial ports. For example, if a modem is connected to one serial port and a serial mouse to another, they are identified as COM1 and COM2. DIMM (dual in-line memory module) A small circuit board that holds memory chips. A SIMM (single in-line memory module) has a 32-bit path to the memory chips whereas a DIMM has 64-bit path. DRAM (Dynamic RAM) A most common type of computer memory. It usually uses one transistor and a capacitor to represent a bit. As the development of technology, the memory type and specification used in computer becomes variety, such as SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and RDRAM. For further instruction, please see the table below: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) Memory Technologies Type First Used FPM (60,70ns) 1990 EDO (50,60,70ns) 1994 SDRAM (66MHz) 1996 SDRAM (100MHz) 1998 SDRAM (133MHz) 1999 RDRAM (Direct Rambus) 1999 DDR SDRAM (100MHz) 2000 DDR SDRAM (133MHz) 2000 Clock Rate 25MHz 40MHz 66MHz 100MHz 133MHz 400MHz 100MHz 133MHz Bus* Width Peak Bandwidth 64 bits 200 MBps 64 bits 320 MBps 64 bits 528 MBps 64 bits 800 MBps 64 bits 1.1 GBps 16 bits 1.6 GBps 64 bits 1.6 GBps 64 bits 2.1 GBps Volts 5v 5v 3.3v 3.3v 3.3v 2.5v 3.3v 3.3v * Memory channel width (64 bits started with 75MHz Pentium) Source: Computer Desktop Encyclopedia G-2