Pronounced ramm, acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be
accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other
devices, such as printers.
There are two different types of RAM: DRAM (Dynamic
Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access
Memory). The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data, with
DRAM being the more common type. In terms of speed, SRAM is faster. DRAM needs
to be refreshed thousands of times per second while SRAM does not need to be
refreshed, which is what makes it faster than DRAM. DRAM supports access times
of about 60 nanoseconds, SRAM can give access times as low as 10 nanoseconds.
Despite SRAM being faster, it's not as commonly used as DRAM because it's so
much more expensive. Both types of RAM are volatile, meaning that they
lose their contents when the power is turned off.
In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with
main memory, the
memory available to programs. For example,
a computer with 8MB RAM has approximately 8 million bytes of memory that programs
can use. In contrast, ROM (read-only
memory) refers to special memory used to
store programs that boot the computer and
perform diagnostics. Most personal
computers have a small amount of ROM (a few thousand bytes). In fact, both
types of memory (ROM and RAM) allow
random access. To be precise, therefore, RAM should be referred to as
read/write RAM and ROM as read-onlyRAM.
See the "DRAM
Memory Guide" in the
Quick Reference section of Webopedia. This Webopedia Quick Reference offers
general information on the two types of RAM and provide an overview on the
common modules of each type.
Building Your Own PC What hard-core techies and companies like Dell and Compaq have been doing for years is what any computer user can learn how to do - build a computer from scratch. Let SE take you on a stroll through the park and ease the pain of building a DIY PC.
Logical Memory Layout Describes how memory is allocated and how it is used within the PC. This page is from "The PC Guide".
PC Guide's system memory reference Extensive reference covering the system memory. Covers technology types, memory speed and timing, packaging, error detection and correction, and the logical memory layout.
SDRAM vs. RDRAM, Facts and Fantasy In-depth analysis of Rambus' RDRAM aims to find its technological advantages and disadvantages, as well as reach a verdict on the SDRAM vs. RDRAM issue.
Webopedia Quick Reference: A Guide to System Memory Think deciding what computer to buy can be complicated? Just wait until you need to upgrade your system memory. We go inside Random-Access Memory (RAM) with a special focus on DRAM, which is — for now, anyway — the most common and affordable variety.
Webopedia: What Is CPU Overclocking? Basically overclocking means to run a microprocessor faster than the clock speed for which it has been tested and approved.
Webopedia's "Did You Know...?" Section Use this Webopedia knowledge section for an in-depth overview of specific technologies and occurrences in the areas of Computer Science, The Internet, and Computer Hardware and Software.
