What is RAM (Random Access Memory)? What are its types? How does it work?

While purchasing an electronic gadget like a smartphone or computer you may have noticed the RAM specified in the packaging. But you may ask, what is Random Access Memory (RAM)? Well, to begin from its basics RAM is also known as Random Access Memory and works as a main memory for different computer systems.

Like any human brain, your computer also needs some source to store its computed data and that’s where the function of RAM comes in. RAM primarily stores information securely in its memory for the short term. By short term, we mean that through the help of RAM, your device will instantly recall the inputted instructions and based on which it calculates them. So, stay with us to know about types of RAM, how RAM works, and more.

What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?

As shared earlier, RAM is defined as a kind of computer data storage system. The innovative part about the RAM device is its potential of accessing the stored data in random order. This ultimately makes the task of finding a particular kind of information speedier. You can easily distinguish the RAM storage from other kinds of storage like a CD or hard disk drive as the later types do not permit random access.

RAM speeds are generally measured in terms of MegaHertz or MHz. Its speed is measured when it completes millions of cycles in a second and then is compared to the clock speed of the processor. An average PC or laptop’s speed ranges between 1333 MHz to 2135 MHz.

How Random Access Memory (RAM) works?

The RAM devices are securely placed among the main memory of the computer systems. However, when there’s no power supply the RAM stored information will get simply misplaced because it’s a volatile memory. To prevent your data from getting lost, a computer system also needs a CPU or Central Processing Unit for storing that information when the power is on. A CPU does not stock up data forever, so make sure you have an alternative backup means to avoid the risk of losing important data.

Having short-time memory, a particular RAM is framed to work with small bits of data at a single point in time. Like, every time you tap on any link to visit the website then, many of the transistors and capacitors act like switches and turn on and off the circuit board. And this turn on and off for the circuit board would enable the computer to translate the link to the web page you are trying to visit.

Functions of RAM.

Now that you know what is RAM and RAM as volatile memory, let’s move on to know about the basic functions of RAM. Some of the primary functions of RAM on daily basis include –

You can load or browse the internet while using RAM.
RAM enables you to edit your office spreadsheet.
While sitting in front of your computer, you perform multiple tasks and often switch among tasks all these are because of the in-build RAM device in your computer.

To explain the last feature a bit more, when you switch between different tasks, this random memory remembers at what point you were in the previous task while you switch to another task. Remember, the fast RAM capacity of any operating system often deteriorates because of long stored junk files and other extra data-consuming files. You can prevent such a scenario by regularly using a junk remover tool to maintain the cleanliness of your computer system.

So, the bottom line is that the more memory your Computer RAM possesses, the better it is for you to handle diverse tasks. So, next time the system is slowly working or not responding properly to your instructions then maybe you need a memory upgrade!

How different are present-day RAM devices from a regular hard drive?

Modern-day RAM devices are extremely costly considering the integrated circuit system it uses for compiling information. To simply put it, the cost of per unit storage with RAM is higher than other handy devices like hard drives. But the speedier access to data with RAM makes them worth it even with such pricey tags. Any computer manufacturing firm would use a specific amount of RAM in its computer for speedy access and along with it inserts a larger amount of nonrandom permanent storage devices like a hard disk drive. So, check out your laptop specification and you will observe that it includes between 2-8 GB of RAM. But more than a hundred GB of hard disk storage capacity is maintained in an average computer system.

Types of Random Access Memory (RAM)

Primarily you will find two types of Random Access Memory and those are Static RAM aka SRAM and Dynamic RAM or DRAM. Let’s move into them one by one –

● Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

DRAM is the type of RAM mainly used for computers’ core memory. DRAM memory cell is composed of three main units and those are:

a capacitor built within the integrated circuit.
A transistor and
Within the capacitor, you will find the stored data bit.

The electric capacitor tends to leak and either has a charged or empty DRAM cell without any charges. Therefore, every few milliseconds, DRAM frequently refreshes the electronic charges to sustain the leaks of the capacitor. Ultimately, the transistor acts as a gate and decides if the value of the capacitor is readable or not. So, these types of RAM are volatile and should be refreshed frequently with the help of voltage, or else the information stored in it will get removed.

● Static RAM (SRAM)

Unlike DRAM which has a capacitor for each of its cells, the Static RAM works with multiple transistors precisely 4 to 6 for every memory cell. Essentially SRAM is used for cache. The longevity of the data stored in SRAM is directly dependent on how long the power is supplied to the computer system. It does not have the capability like DRAM to refresh regularly for sustaining data. The added advantage of SRAM is its fast speed which makes it more costly in the market as compared to DRAM.

DRAM vs SRAM: a tabular comparison

So, before proceeding further, let’s have a tabular comparison of both DRAM and SRAM in terms of their available features-

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)	Static RAM (SRAM)
Due to its higher accessing time, it’s slower than SRAM.	SRAM can access data at a faster pace.
Less costly as compared to SRAM.	Expensive than DRAM.
Since the information is stored in its capacitor therefore it can work with a reduced power supply.	To retain information SRAM would require a constant supply of power.
It comprises a small internal integrated circuit system along with its one-bit memory cell.	It consists of a complex internal circuit system.
With DRAM you can expect a larger storage capacity.	Following the above point, it has a lesser storage capacity than the DRAM physical memory chip.
Higher packaging density.	Low packaging density.

Therefore, among the two types of RAM, it’s the DRAM, used as the most reliable and pocket-friendly volatile memory for any computer system.

● Other types of DRAM

As you already have noted, DRAM is one of the two types of RAM. So, now you may find that within the category of DRAM there are some varieties. Let’s have a look at them –

1. Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)

SDRAM is different from any of the traditional built DRAM because it’s a semiconductor memory that enables it to run faster for any computing technology. The SDRAM external pin interface works in coordination with the CPU clock signals. Therefore, the SDRAM chips only get ready to operate when the CPU enables them. The seed of data transfer in a normal SDRAM takes place up to 132 -134 MHz.

2. Rambus Dram (RDRAM)

The name of the Rambus DRAM is after its manufacturing company called Rambus, working in the market since the late 1990s. The composition of RDRAM includes a RAM, a bus path linking RAM to microprocessors and computer systems, and a RAM controller. The following subcategory of RAM is used to store info for any graphic cards or video game devices. A typical RDRAM takes 1 GHz speeds in data transferring.

3. Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)

To put it simply DDR SDRAM is a type of volatile memory that has the capacity of double the bandwidth of a single data rate Synchronous DRAM. They do so by maintaining the same clock frequency with a method called double pumping. When you apply the double pumping method then your data would get transferred by falling and rising the edges of the clock signals. However, the clock signal frequency stays unchanged.

With time the DDR SDRAM model was followed by DDR2 SDRAM then DDR3 SDRAM and now we have the DDR4 SDRAM generation. All of these models follow the double pumping means for the data transfer. And each succeeding generation, the performance of the data transfer gets faster. Any new RAM stick in the market usually installs DDR4 chips for your computer.

4. Asynchronous DRAM. (ADRAM)

With an ADRAM the memory device timing is kept under check based on a specialized memory controller circuit. This memory circuit sends the required control signals for time control. And as a result, the CPU usually takes note of the delay while responding to the memory.

5. Cache DRAM (CDRAM)

CDRAM is a mixed type of DRAM memory that works with an on-chip cache SRAM memory. The cache memory makes it a high-speed buffer for the functioning of the main DRAM. Initially developed by Mitsubishi a typical CDRAM comprises a smaller SRAM cache.

How much RAM do you need?

The amount of RAM you should look for depends on how dependent you are on your computer. For those who use their computer only for minor document editing, working on spreadsheets, or internet browsing, a computer of up to 8 GB RAM would suffice. But for Gamers who are daily running heavy memory programs then they at least would need 16 GB RAM for operating their computer smoothly.

Checking your RAM is also easy. For Windows: go to the start menu > system information > tap on the result for opening it. From there find the installed Physical memory (RAM) section.

For the Mac users, you can check your RAM by tapping on the Apple icon > choose about this Mac> locate the memory section.

Comparing RAM, ROM, and General storage.

RAM, as you know, is the computer’s short-term memory storage, unlike general memory where information is stored in massive quantities. Unlike them, ROM or Read Only Memory consists of some unique information for turning the computer on. From is situated at the motherboard of your computer and instructs your computer how to function. When you first turn your computer on, then the first thing your computer does is access the ROM. Without the ROM, you won’t be able to own anything else.

As you know how RAM works, therefore you know RAM data is constantly changing. Unlike the RAM of your computer, you can’t change the ROM and for this reason, it’s called – Read Only. The speed of RAM is generally higher than ROM. Other than that, ROM data is not easily accessible by the CPU unless the same data is stored in RAM.

RAM also differs from nonvolatile SSDs or System Storage Data as the latter type of data doesn’t get lost when power loses. Every time you save a file then you are copying the inputted data from your RAM to the hard disk drive so that it doesn’t get lost.

RAM: Where is the future directing us!

Now that you are clear about what is Random Access Memory, how RAM works, and its types, let’s end by looking at the broader picture. With the accessibility of ReRAM (Resistive RAM) technologies, we can expect a nonvolatile storage system that would be based on an even higher switching speed than any other nonvolatile storage. At present, 3D X Point techs like Intel Optane are constantly working to bridge the gap between any DRAM and NAND flash memory. So, with time we can expect the advancement of technologies will erase any distance between RAM and storage systems.