Fast Page Memory

Fast page memory, also called fast page mode dynamic random access memory, was the first form of modern DRAM available on the market. DRAM (which stands for dynamic random access memory) comes in many different forms, only one of which is fast page memory RAM. Because it is inexpensive, DRAM types such as fast page memory are often used for RAM storage in older devices engineered in the past instead of re-engineering them to accept faster RAM.

All forms of RAM are made up of cells arranged in a grid. Each cell is given a unique "address" that corresponds to the row and column on which it can be found on the grid. When the computer needs to retrieve information, it uses those addresses to locate the data it wants and then sends a signal to that data point. The rate at which those signals are sent determines the speed at which a type of RAM operates.

How Fast Page Memory RAM Works

When fast page memory retrieves data, it waits until each data bit is found and read before looking for another. FPM DRAM clock timings are usually listed at 6-3-3-3. That means that it takes 6 clock cycles to setup and reach the first piece of data and 3 clock cycles to reach each of the next 3 pieces of data.

Another type of RAM, EDO RAM, works similarly to fast page memory, but it is able to reach higher speeds by slightly altering the way it searches for data. Normal FPM RAM starts every search fresh, but EDO RAM begins searching for new data around the point where the previous piece of data was found. While this method clearly improves the RAM speed, current microprocessors easily outpace even the highest end FPM RAM and EDO RAM modules.