What is RAM and Types of RAM?

RAM means random-access memory. This is the short form of this word. It is a type of memory of the computer which is accessed randomly. This means that it stores the work being done in the computer in a temporary manner. The file containing the work is saved when it is being done. Then it gets stored in the permanent storage.

Do you know what is RAM and what is its full form? I am sure that you must have known a little bit about RAM.

I am saying this because whenever you go to a mobile shop or a friend of yours has to buy a new mobile, then the first question you must ask is how much RAM is it? You ask this because you know that if it is more then the performance of this mobile will also be excellent.

Have you ever tried to know how this RAM works? Otherwise, it doesn’t matter, through this post you will know what is RAM and what are its types. Along with this, you will also be able to know what are its features. So without delay, know how much RAM is of the computer.

What is RAM?

It gives virtual space to the computer system so that it can manage any data and solve the problem. It works like a school blackboard in which we make notes, words, numbers and drawings.

When the board is full, then deleting the unnecessary things from it and writing it again. The bigger the blackboard, the more data you can write in it. RAM also works in the same way, in which many apps can be used according to the capacity.

This is a very important part for every mobile and computer system. This is a form of computer data storage. We also know RAM by the name of primary memory. It is also known by other names which are Volatile memory, Main memory, Physical memory.

Whenever we are working in the computer at the current time, RAM stores that data. But until we save the data in the secondary storage, it is not stored permanently.

If the electricity power goes out while working, then all the data gets lost. For this, we have to save the working file in hard disk or pen drive.

More RAM is required to run the designing software. You must have heard the name of video mixing software, in which wedding and party videos are mixed, or Solid Works, Catia and Maya 3D, from which drawing and home designing work is done, for this 6GB – 8GB RAM is required.

Getting less than that could take 10 hours for 1 hour of work. By the way, in the system used at home, only 1GB – 4GB of RAM is used because it is enough for normal use. Let us understand it through an example.

Example :

Suppose you are working in a file in Microsoft Word or Excel and you have written 1000 words in it.

Now my question to you is that where are the 1000 words you have written so far getting stored because till now you have not saved that file in your hard disk drive?

Yes, it is stored in Random Access memory but it is stored in it till the time there is power in computer or mobile or you do not close that file.

If the power goes out in the middle of your work, then all your data will also go away and your hard work will also go in vain.

That is why it is advised that if you are using Desktop then definitely use UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplier).

This will continue to power your computer system for some time, in which you will be able to save the work done in the hard disk drive permanently.

Full form of RAM

Random Access Memory

When we open and use many applications in our phone or computer at once, then you must have noticed that the phone starts working slow.

This is because the space in the primary memory of mobile or computer gets used. When you close the application, some space gets freed up and the mobile starts running at a good speed again.

This means that you must have understood that if you want to use a lot of apps at once, then your RAM should be more.

Types of RAM

RAM comes in many different sizes. It is divided into different parts on the basis of its capacity i.e. capacity and speed.

Its capacity is measured in MB and GB and speed is measured in MHz and GHz. When we have to change or increase the RAM in our computer, then the motherboard should also be compatible for this.

In the old computer system, if we want to use the RAM used today, then it is not possible, for this both the motherboard and the processor will have to be changed.
We cannot use the RAM used in the laptop in the desktop, as well as the RAM of the desktop cannot be fitted in the laptop.
In a computer system, we cannot use any kind of RAM at all. The Random Access Memory used from generation to generation depends on the motherboard.

Let us now know how many types of RAM are there.

There are mainly 2 types of Random Access Memory.

1. Static RAM (SRAM)
2. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

What is Static RAM (SRAM)?

It is one of the 2 basic memory used in the computer. It requires constant electric power to work.

Static RAM does not need to “refresh” to remember the data stored in it, that is why its name is Static RAM.

Static memory is a volatile memory because whenever the power is cut, all the data stored in it gets exhausted.

Advantages of Static RAM

• Consumes less electricity.
• Works much faster than Dynamic memory.

Disadvantages of Static RAM

• Memory capacity works
• Manufacturing cost is high.

Characteristics of Static RAM

• Its durability is very good.
• Drives at high speed.
• There is no need to refresh it.
• Used for CPU cache.
• It is used for Digital to Analog converter in Video Cards.

What is Dynamic RAM (DRAM)?

This is just the opposite of static memory. We also know it by the name of DRAM. It needs to be refreshed frequently so that it can remember the data.

The capacitors of Dynamic Memory which store the data keeps on discharging power slowly. If the energy is exhausted then the data is also exhausted. There is constant action and change in it, that is why it is named Dynamic RAM.

Dynamic memory is also volatile memory because once the power is cut off then all its data is lost.

Advantages of Dynamic RAM

• Manufacturing cost is less.
• Memory Capacity is high.

Disadvantages of DRAM

• Electricity costs more.
• Its speed is less.

Characteristics of Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

• Its durability is low.
• Speed ​​is low.
• It has to be refreshed again and again.
• Used in system memory and video graphics memory.
• The cost of Dynamic is less than Static.

Working Process of RAM

Now we will not talk much technical here and understand in simple language how RAM works after all.

When the mobile phone or computer is turned off, at that time the RAM does not work at all and is completely free.

The apps and software we have at that time are stored in the phone memory or hard disk or memory card.

But as we turn on the computer, the operating system is loaded first. Only after that we open other software or app.

Now it will be able to handle as many software and apps as the capacity of Random Access Memory and if the capacity is exceeded then it will show some message like System memory is full or Physical memory is full.

Then we have to close some software or apps. As soon as it is turned off, then the system starts working at a good speed.

Characteristics of RAM – Features of RAM

So far you have learned many things related to main memory, now know about some of its features.

• The size of RAM is always very less as compared to Hard Disk or any other storage device.
• Despite being less in size, it is quite expensive.
• It is also known as volatile memory because it remembers the data only till the power remains.
• It is also called primary memory because all the software runs because of this. Apps and software are simply stored in secondary storage, but only primary memory is needed to work.
• The higher the capacity of the primary memory, the higher is the ability of the system to work. And the timing of working of any software depends on its capacity.

How much is a computer’s RAM?

Generally, there is no fixed fix in the computer that how much RAM should be. The RAM of a computer depends on many things.

The configuration of the computer is done according to what work you want to do on the computer and what type of task is there.

4 to 6 GB RAM is commonly used in home-run personal computers. On the other hand, if we talk about a professional work, then RAM above 8GB is used in it.

Graphic Designing Significance 16 to 20 GVK Ram is used.

In short

Next time you can make the right choice while buying mobile and computer. You will have no doubt about what kind of mobile to buy and what RAM should be in it.

Friends, now you must have understood What is RAM?. You have also learned about what are the characteristics of computer and mobile RAM and how many types they are. Now you know very well what is RAM and how much is the RAM of a computer?