Rethinking cycle accurate DRAM simulation

Cycle accurate DRAM simulations have been the dominating architecture simulation model for DRAM for a long time. Although accurate, its poor simulation speed has not improved for years while a lot of other architecture simulators such as CPU and cache simulators have moved away from cycle-accurate models for better performance. In this paper, we discuss limitations of cycle-accurate DRAM models, through simulation experiments, we show that cycle-accurate DRAM simulator is becoming a dominant part of overall simulation time when paired with modern CPU simulators. We also demonstrate the inherent inflexibility of cycle-accurate models becomes the roadblock for faster simulation speed and integration with other non-cycle-accurate simulation frameworks. Finally, we discuss alternative modeling techniques for DRAM simulation and point out potential pathways to further DRAM simulation technique.