(/)
About memory (/articles/about-
memory)
What is
RAM and
what does
RAM do?
Posted on June 14, 2024 | Updated February 19,
2025 in About Memory
RAM is an acronym and stands for Random Access
Memory. It is one of the most vital components in your
digital device whether it is a computer, desktop, laptop,
Mac, console, or phone.
For anyone wondering what RAM does, how it works in
your computer, and why you might need to upgrade it for
better performance, read on!
What is RAM on a
computer?
RAM (/catalog/memory) is the temporary memory in
your computer that gives applications a place to store
and access data on a short-term basis. Having more
RAM means that more data can be accessed and read
almost instantly, as opposed to being written on your
hard drive or SSD (/catalog/ssd).
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What does memory do
in a computer?
RAM allows your computer to perform its everyday tasks,
such as loading applications, browsing the internet,
editing a spreadsheet, or playing the latest game.
Memory also allows you to switch quickly among these
tasks while also remembering where you are in each task.
Generally speaking, the more memory you have, the
more easily your computer will be able to do multiple
things at once. As an example of how this works, when
you turn on your computer, check your email, open a
browser, and then edit a spreadsheet, you'll have used
memory in several different ways:
to load and run apps like your spreadsheet program
and email
to respond to commands, like deleting an email and
editing the spreadsheet
to toggle between your open programs, like going
back and forth from the spreadsheet to check your
email
to load one or more web pages into your browser
You can think of memory like the top of your desk. It
allows you to work on various projects at once. The
larger your desk, the more papers, folders, and tasks you
can have out at one time. You can quickly and easily
access the information without having to thumb through
slower storage like a filing cabinet (or your
computer hard drive (/catalog/ssd)).
Why is RAM
important?
The speed and performance of your system directly
correlate to the amount and type of RAM you have
installed. If your system doesn’t have enough RAM, it can
be slow and sluggish, especially when you’re trying to
multitask or having several programs or apps open at the
same time.
If you regularly get frustrated by unresponsive programs,
lagging load times, and a generally
(/)
slow computer (/articles/pc-users/how-to-fix-a-slow-
computer)
, lack of RAM is probably to blame. There are ways to see
if your
computer needs more memory (/articles/about-
memory/how-much-ram-does-my-computer-need)
, and it's easy to upgrade your
desktop (/articles/about-memory/how-to-upgrade-
desktop-memory)
or
laptop (/articles/pc-users/how-to-upgrade-laptop-
memory)
RAM yourself.
Larger RAM modules will give your computer more
space. RAM size is measured in Gigabytes (GB). Faster
RAM modules will also help your computer work more
quickly. RAM speed is not important for most users, but if
you work with very demanding applications like games,
video production, or other intensive software, faster RAM
could help. RAM speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz).
RAM compatibility
To prevent users from installing incompatible memory,
modules are physically
different for each memory technology
(/articles/about-memory/different-types-of-memory-
explained)
generation. These physical differences are standard
across the industry, so make sure you buy
memory compatible with your motherboard
(m/support/memory-motherboard-compatibility)
or other components.
RAM performance
RAM performance is all about the relationship between
speed and latency. At a basic level, latency is the time
delay between when a command is entered and when
the data is available. Understanding the
speed and latency (/articles/about-
memory/difference-between-speed-and-latency)
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of RAM will help you better choose the correct RAM to
install in your system based on your needs.
What are the different
types of RAM?
Computer RAM is a critical component in a computer
system, providing volatile storage that the processor
uses to temporarily store and access data quickly. There
are several types of RAM, each with its unique
characteristics and use cases.
Dynamic random access
memory (DRAM)
Dynamic RAM is one of the most common types of RAM
used in computers. It stores each bit of data in a
separate capacitor within an integrated circuit. However,
DRAM needs to be constantly refreshed to retain data,
which can impact its speed compared to other types.
Static random access memory
(SRAM)
SRAM is faster than DRAM and doesn't require constant
refreshing, as it stores each bit using a flip-flop circuit.
Due to its faster access times, SRAM is often used in
cache memory to provide quick access to frequently
used instructions and data.
Synchronous dynamic
random access memory
(SDRAM)
SDRAM synchronizes with the system's clock speed,
allowing for more efficient data transfers. This
synchronization enables a steady flow of data, reducing
delays in accessing information. Various types of SDRAM,
such as double data rate (DDR) SDRAM, have evolved to
provide increased data transfer rates.
Double data rate (DDR) synchronous dynamic random
access memoryDDR SDRAM transfers data on both the
(/)
rising and falling edges of the clock signal, effectively
doubling the data transfer rate compared to traditional
SDRAM. DDR RAM has undergone several generations,
with each iteration (such as DDR3,
DDR4 (/catalog/memory/ddr4) and
DDR5 (/catalog/memory/ddr5)) offering increased
performance and efficiency.
Graphics double data rate (GDDR) synchronous graphics
random access memorySpecifically designed for
graphics processing units (GPUs), GDDR SDRAM focuses
on high-speed data transfer to support the demands of
graphics-intensive applications like gaming and video
rendering. Similar to DDR RAM, GDDR has seen multiple
generations, each enhancing memory bandwidth and
performance.
Non-volatile dual in-line
memory module (NVDIMM)
While most RAM is volatile and loses data when power is
cut, NVDIMM combines the speed of traditional RAM
with the non-volatility of storage. It retains data even
when the system is powered off, making it suitable for
applications where persistent memory is crucial.
RAM vs. ROM
RAM is volatile memory, which means its contents will be
lost when the power is turned off. Read Only Memory,
ROM, is a type of non-volatile memory, which means it
can retain its contents without power. SSDs are another
type of non-volatile memory, but they are not read-only.
For more information see our dedicated article on the
difference between RAM and ROM (/articles/about-
memory/what-is-the-difference-between-ram-and-
rom)
.
