DDR266

DDR266, also known as DDR266 SDRAM or PC-2100, is a type of double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory. It uses a 133 MHz internal clock to deliver a data rate of 266 MT/s and was marketed under the PC-2100 designation. As part of the first generation of DDR SDRAM, it provided a notable performance improvement over earlier SDRAM.

Technically, DDR266 employs a 2n prefetch architecture, fetching two data words per clock cycle on a 64-bit-wide data path. The typical module bandwidth is about 2.1 GB/s. It typically operates around 2.5 volts. Timings vary by module, with common CAS latency ranges around 2 to 3 cycles, depending on supplier and configuration.

Market history and use: DDR266 was introduced in the early 2000s and became a mainstream memory solution for desktop PCs during that period, often paired with chipsets and processors from that era. It was soon followed by higher-speed DDR SDRAM generations, such as DDR333 (PC-2700) and DDR400 (PC-3200), as processors and front-side bus speeds increased. DDR266 remained in use in older systems and budget builds for several years before being phased out.

Form factors and compatibility: Desktop DDR266 modules typically used 184-pin DIMMs. Laptop variants existed in smaller form factors, but DDR266 memory generally required systems with DDR SDRAM slots and is not compatible with later DDR standards (such as DDR2 and beyond).

Legacy: DDR266 represents an early step in increasing memory bandwidth through the DDR architecture and helped pave the way for subsequent generations of faster memory.