Random Access Memory
RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory, is a hardware device generally located on the
motherboard of a computer and acts as an internal memory of the CPU. It allows CPU store data,
program, and program results when you switch on the computer. It is the read and write memory of
a computer, which means the information can be written to it as well as read from it.
RAM is a hardware device that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the best known form of Computer Memory. The Read and
write (R/W) memory of a computer is called RAM. The User can write information to it and read
information from [Link] RAM any location can be reached in a fixed ( and short) amount of time
after specifying its address. Since information is accessed randomly instead of sequentially, the
computer can access the data much faster.
RAM is a volatile memory and requires power to keep the data accessible. If the computer is
turned off, all data contained in RAM is lost. The RAM is a volatile memory, it means information
written to it can be accessed as long as power is on. As soon as the power is off, it can not be
accessed. so this means RAM computer memory is essentially empty. RAM holds data and
processing instructions temporarily until the CPU needs it. In other words, RAM is a form of
temporary storage that gets wiped when you turn your computer off. RAM offers lightning-fast data
access.
RAM is considered “random access” because you can access any memory cell directly if you
know the row and column that intersect at that cell. RAM is made in electronic chips made of so
called semiconductor material, just like processors and many other types of chips. In RAM,
transistors make up the individual storage cells which can each “remember” an amount of data, for
example, 1 or 4 bits – as long as the PC is switched on. Physically, RAM consists of small
electronic chips which are mounted in modules (small printed circuit boards). The modules are
installed in the PC’s motherboard using sockets – there are typically 2, 3 or 4 of these.
What is RAM used for?
RAM is used for immediate data storage and retrieval. Your RAM can process information
significantly faster than data on a hard disk.
To accomplish a specific task, computer operating systems load data from the hard disk into RAM
to process it.
When you open a program such as Microsoft Word, your computer loads the application into its
RAM. If you open a document you already have saved on your computer, your operating system
locates the file in long-term storage and copies the information onto its RAM. Once the data is in
your RAM, you get near-instantaneous performance because RAM is lightning fast.
What are transistors?
What are capacitors?
Different Types of RAM? Explain in Detail
There are two basic types of RAM :
(i) Dynamic RAM
(ii) Static RAM
Dynamic RAM : loses its stored information in a very short time (for milli sec.) even when power
supply is on. D-RAM’s are cheaper and consume less power.
Similar to a microprocessor chip is an Integrated Circuit (IC) made of millions of transistors and
capacitors.
In the most common form of computer memory, Dynamic Memory Cell, represents a single bit of
data. The capacitor holds the bit of information – a 0 or a 1. The transistor acts as a switch that lets
the control circuitry on the memory chip read the capacitor or change its state. A capacitor is like a
small bucket that is able to store electrons. To store a 1 in the memory cell, the bucket is filled with
electrons.
To store a 0, it is emptied. The problem with the capacitor’s bucket is that it has a leak. In a matter
of a few milliseconds a full bucket becomes empty. Therefore, for dynamic memory to work, either
the CPU or the Memory Controller has to come along and recharge all of the capacitors holding it
before they discharge. To do this, the memory controller reads the memory and then writes it right
back. This refresh operation happens automatically thousands of times per second.
This refresh operation is where dynamic RAM gets its name. Dynamic RAM has to be dynamically
refreshed all of the time or it forgets what it is holding. The downside of all of this refreshing is that
it takes time and slows down the memory.
Static RAM uses a completely different technology. S-RAM retains stored information as long as
the power supply is on. Static RAM’s are costlier and consume more power. They have higher
speed than D-RAMs.
In static RAM, a series of transistors holds each bit of memory. This type of memory never has to
be refreshed. This makes static RAM significantly faster than dynamic RAM. However, because it
has more parts, a static memory cell takes up a lot more space on a chip than a dynamic memory
cell. Therefore, you get less memory per chip, and that makes static RAM a lot more expensive.
Static RAM is fast and expensive, and dynamic RAM is less expensive and slower. Static RAM is
used to create the CPU’s speed sensitive cache, while dynamic RAM forms the larger System
RAM space.
