DIP

DIP or Dual Inline Package type refers to the type of memory organized in the form style of a DIP-style package. DIP package style was used frequently in older computers like the IBM AT. In these systems, the chips were arranged into rows of caskets called "graveyards". The rows usually contained 8 or nine chips per row. Yes, I know that sounds strange. Data is arranged with 8 bits at a time, but this leaves the 9^th chip for parity checking. 

When the user wanted to add RAM, he or she would by a "tube" of RAM. The RAM was designed for use with the 286 processor. One problem that arose with the use of DIP package type was the speed of the RAM. The DIP RAM speed of processing is slower than the 286 processor. Since this was the first problem experienced with parts paired together, inventors had to design a new technology to overcome the flaw. So they created wait states. Wait states require the processor to wait one or two cycles, which allows the RAM to catch up. 

Note: A wait state of 0 means the processor and RAM run at the same speed.

All material and images on these pages are copyright Joseph,Ed. This page was developed for the Thinkquest1999 competition.