Abstract: A system and method are provided for memory control, having selectively distributed power-on processing. A memory controller executes responsive to a master control operation to actuate a plurality of operational tasks on a memory device. The memory controller includes a first power-on block executable to actuate one or both of initialization and training operations corresponding to the memory device. A PHY portion coupled to the memory controller portion executes to adaptively configure control, address, and data signals for physically compatible passage between the controller portion and memory device. The PHY portion includes a second power-on block executable to actuate one or both of an initialization operation and a training operation corresponding to the memory device. The PHY portion is configured according to the initialization and training operations, wherein each of the initialization and training operations are selectively actuated responsive to one of the power-on blocks.