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RAM Last modified: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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-only RAM. 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. See "Tips to Fix a Slow Running Computer" in the Quick Reference section of Webopedia.
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 Quick Reference: Common Windows PC Issues Tips to Diagnose and fix a slow running computer. 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.	Related Categories Memory Related Terms allocated memory commit charge dynamic RAM main memory memory NVRAM ROM SRAM tag RAM Von Neumann machine VRAM WRAM