Core memory was the standard memory on PDP-8 computers (and all earlier DEC machines) until the PDP-8/A which used either core or semiconductor memory. This transition happened in the mid to late 1970's when semiconductor memory chips became cheaper than core. My PDP-8/E has a 16kx8 SRAM third party (non DEC) memory board from for half of its memory. Core memory is non volatile, some of the semiconductor memory boards had the ability to use backup batteries to allow them to appear non volatile like core when power was lost.
The largest core memory DEC offered for the PDP-8 was 16k 12 bit words on one core memory board.
How core works
"Magnetic Core Memories" Mullard Educational Service
Magnetic Core Memory Systems
Core memory and concepts
PDP-8/E Core information in PDF
PDP-9 core memory fundementals
Core memory history
Core memory history
Feel free to contact me, David Gesswein djg@pdp8online.com with any questions, comments on the web site, or if you have related equipment, documentation, software etc. you are willing to part with. I am interested in anything PDP-8 related, computers, peripherals used with them, DEC or third party, or documentation.
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