What is RAM ?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a hardware device that is usually located on the motherboard of the computer and acts as the internal memory of the CPU. This allows the CPU to store information, programs, data, and program results. It is a read and write memory of the computer, which means that information can be written to it as well as read from it.
RAM is a volatile memory, This means it does not store data or instructions permanently. Information and instructions from the hard disk are stored in RAM when you switch on the computer. for example, when the computer reboots, when you open a program, the operating system (OS), and programs are loaded into RAM usually from an HDD or SSD. The CPU uses this data to perform the specified tasks. As soon as you switch off the pc, RAM loses their data. The advantage of loading data into RAM is reading data from RAM is much faster than reading from a hard disk. When the RAM is full, the processor moves to the hard disk to overlay the old data in RAM with the new data. If you don't have space on the paper, you can erase what you no longer need. RAM also behaves like this, redundant data on RAM is removed when it is full and it is replaced with new data from the hard disk which is necessary for the current operation.
RAM comes as a single chip that is mounted individually to the motherboard or as a number of chips on a small board that is attached to the motherboard. This is called the main memory of the computer.
The performance of a computer mainly depends on the size or storage capacity of the RAM. If it does not have enough RAM (Random Access Memory) to run the OS and software programs, it will result in slow performance. The information stored in RAM is accessed randomly, not in sequence from CDs or hard drives. So, it's access time is very fast.
Type of RAM
- Static RAM (SRAM)
- Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
1) Static RAM
Static RAM (SRAM) is a type of random access memory for data bits to retain their state or hold data as long as it receives power. It is made up of memory cells and is called static RAM because it does not need to be refreshed regularly. It has a special arrangement of transistors that form a flip-flop, a type of memory cell. A memory cell stores one bit of data. Most modern SRAM memory cells are composed of six CMOS transistors. Static RAM is quicker because the six-transistor configuration of its circuit maintains the flow of current in one direction or the opposite (0 or 1). The 0 or 1 position can be written and read immediately without waiting for the capacitor to fill or drain.
The drawback with static RAM is that it's memory cells occupy more room for the identical amount of space for storing (memory) than DRAM memory cells on a chip because it contains more parts than DRAM.
2) Dynamic RAM
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is additionally made from memory cells. It is a computer circuit (IC) composed of several transistors and capacitors that are extremely small in size. Every transistor is lined with one capacitor to make a awfully compact memory cell.
The capacitor must be refreshed after regular interval of time to take care of the charge within the capacitor. This is often why its called dynamic RAM because it must be constantly refreshed to retain its data. This is achieved by placing the memory on a refresh circuit that rewrites the information several hundred times per second. The time interval in DRAM is about 60 nanoseconds.
