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Q.I understand that the T4900CT uses EDO memory in place of a level 2 cache which is often associated with high performance processors. Please explain what EDO memory is and how it is implemented in the T4900CT.
A.Extended Data Output (EDO) DRAM memory chips are new high-speed memory components. With the T4900CT, Toshiba will be one of the first to implement these new components in a PC design. The new chips are similar to the DRAMs used in current designs, however, a change to their architecture has resulted in much faster access to data in memory.
With high speed processors such as the 75MHz Pentium™ processor, the CPU will process data and instructions faster than can be provided from a standard memory subsystem. To avoid starving the processor, desktop computers will commonly implement a level 2 cache. The level 2 cache is a high speed memory buffer that resides between the main memory and the CPU.
To maximize the performance of the 75MHz Pentium™ processor, Toshiba engineers used EDO DRAM chips for the base 8MB of memory that are on the motherboard of the T4900CT. As a result, the 75MHz Pentium processor does not have to wait for data.
As an added benefit, EDO memory does not require as much real estate and does not consume as much power as a level 2 cache subsystem. Becaues the EDO memory is the basic memory it does not use any more motherboard space than standard memory subsystem. Level 2 cache systems require additional board space for the extra cache chips and cache controller. They also consume additional power.