from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
video random-access memory
video RAM
VRAM
<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 (http://fweep.com/vram.html)!
(2001-02-14)