On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:39:16 -0700, MitchAlsup <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Oct 23, 4:04 pm, CBFalconer <cbfalco...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Since the only purpose of the refresh circuitry is to avoid the
>> memory dropping bits, it should already be running at the slowest
>> possible rate, and speed reduction will be harmful, while speed
>> increase will do no good. So this is not a good idea.


>But I will state the overall performance differences are a fraction of
>the refresh overhead anyways.
>
>> What are you trying to do?
>
>That is the real question.

If the idea is to reduce the refresh overhead on a busy bus, reducing
the relatively slow refresh rate does not make much sense.

However, if the memory content is to be maintained for a long time
without any data access in a battery powered device, it would make
sense to reduce the refresh rate at low ambient temperatures. The high
refresh rates are needed at the top end of the temperature range, but
at lower temperatures, a slower refresh rate would be sufficient,
which reduces the power consumption and increase battery life.
Unfortunately, refresh rate figures are seldom available for lower
temperatures.

Paul