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To: grok who wrote (103)	9/22/1999 5:59:00 PM
From: Charles R	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

KZ, <Now for computers smaller than PCs (or those not using Microsoft software) granularity has already hit. > Is this true even in the context of improvments in Graphics/3D technology? In other words, do you see the memory requirements not increasing significantly to support more real-life-looking games? <Higher power is not so nice in consumer products either and when a game is underway I wonder if any of the Rambus power down modes will be usable. > Do you think it is a big deal for a system that uses only 32 MB? Would your answer change after a generation (i.e., process shrink)? Chuck P.S.: A very interesting post! I knew the technology aspect of RDRAM but did not quite know the rationale (original one, any way) behind the product.

To: grok who wrote (103)	9/23/1999 4:54:00 AM
From: John Walliker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

KZNerd, Also, what if drams go to x32 by then? Ground bounce may be a big problem. John

To: grok who wrote (103)	9/23/1999 9:47:00 AM
From: Bilow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

Hi KZNerd; Great post re history of granularity &c. Right on, and well said. As regards pin count and ground bounce, this is not an issue with 32-pin chips. Those who want more data on this subject will just have to call me an idiot, and I will respond by posting the links, but the fact that gate arrays are currently being designed with over 1000 pins should indicate to anybody that ground bounce is an issue that can be controlled. As long as I'm running on, one ugly solution to ground bounce is to drive all signals off chip as true/complement pairs, equally terminated. This essentially eliminates ground bounce. This is not a pretty solution, and is not necessary in the real world. Another solution is to phase your outputs with small delays between groups of synchronous pins... -- Carl

To: grok who wrote (103)	9/26/1999 12:15:00 AM
From: Bilow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

Hi KZNerd; Re granularity... Most modern SDRAMs are available in various widths, for any given size. If we could get the figures on how many sell as x4, x8, x16, and x32, we would get a very good idea how granularity impacts the DRAM marketplace. I am going to go off and do a search of EE-Times print for this kind of information, though I doubt that I will be very successful. On the other hand, when I go read through old copies of EE-Times, I always find lots of other interesting things... What I would like is information on quantities sold, and per unit pricing, even if it is from only one particular vendor. -- Carl P.S. Still a great post on granularity and its history.