Dual-ported RAM

(computer science) Dynamic random-access memory optimized for use with video displays.

Also called "VRAM," it is the type of memory used in a display adapter. Video RAM is designed with dual ports so that it can simultaneously refresh the screen while text and images are drawn in memory. It is faster than the common DRAM or SDRAM chips used as main memory in the computer. See shared video memory.

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Dual-ported RAM (DPRAM) is a type of Random Access Memory that allows multiple reads or writes to occur at the same time, or nearly the same time, unlike single-ported RAM which only allows one access at a time.

Video RAM or VRAM is a common form of dual-ported dynamic RAM mostly used for video memory, allowing the CPU to draw the image at the same time the video hardware is reading it out to the screen.

Apart from VRAM, most other types of dual-ported RAM are based on static RAM technology.

Most CPUs implement the processor registers as a small dual-ported or multi-ported RAM (see Register File).

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