02-01-2011, 02:54 AM
Shared Memory Architecture
Shared Memory Architecture (SMA) refers to a design where the graphics chip does not have its own dedicated memory, and instead shares the main system RAM with the CPU and other components. Many integrated graphics solutions use this technology to reduce cost and to reduce the complexity of the motherboard design. The design is simplified as no additional memory chips are to be placed on the motherboard. Changing the the BIOS or a jumper setting is used to change the amount of memory allocated this way. In this way, the the graphics system can be tailored to only use as much RAM as is actually required. But, as when some RAM is allocated for graphics, it becomes effectively unavailable for anything else. Thus the operating system cannot use the memory allocated for the graphics application for any other purpose. lower performance is resulted as the RAM usually runs slower than dedicated graphics RAM and there is competition for the access of the memory bus by the normal applications and the graphics application.
Get the report and ppt in these links:
http://en.wikipediawiki/Shared_Memory_Architecture
http://freepatentsonline7127563.html
http://scribddoc/45631127/mesi