What You Need To Know About The Computer RAM Memory
What is RAM?
The computer RAM memory stands for Random Access Memory. It means that it is a type of memory card or chip for computers wherein its memory cells are accessed arbitrarily. When the computer is in use, data are being stored and retrieved in a random manner. RAM is commonly used to perform tasks while the computer is turned on wherein it allows all the information to be accesses in any order at any location in an equivalent manner. The reverse occurs with Serial Access Memory, or SAM. With SAM, data are stored in a sequential manner.
How does RAM work?
RAM functions as a short-term memory storage only since it loses data once the computer is turned off. The long-term memory storage is located at the computer’s hard disk. When the computer is once again turned on, the hard disk would load the data to the RAM wherein the user can easily retrieve any file he wanted from any location.
A type of memory chip is called a DRAM which means Dynamic Random Access Memory. DRAM is an integrated circuit in which memory cells are made of millions of pairs of tiny transistors and capacitors. Each pair becomes a memory cell, which is represented as a single bit of data.
What is DDR SDRAM?
The latest DRAM type in use nowadays is referred to as DDR SDRAM or Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. DDR SDRAM interface makes transfer rates higher since there is a stricter timing control with the clock signals and the electrical data. This type of integrated circuit is very powerful and works twice as much as compared to its older version, the Single Data Rate (SDR) SDRAM. For instance, a PC133 SDRAM can run at a speed of 133 Mhz. With a 133 Mhz DDR, it can reach a speed of 266 Mhz or 133 Mhz x 2. Another example is when there are 64 bits of data that are being transferred at one time, the DDR SDRAM will transfer that data at twice its memory bus clock rate multiplied to the number of bits to be transferred and divided by bits/byte number that can be transferred per second. Therefore, if the DDR SDRAM interface has a bus frequency of 100 MHz, it will transfer 64 bits of data at a maximum transfer rate of 1600 MB/s. That is 100MHz x 2 = 200 x 64bits = 12800 bits/8 bits per byte per second = 1600 MB/s. MB/s stands for megabyte per second. Take note that 8 bits represent each byte of data. Bit rate is also known as data transfer rate, which is the unit used in telecommunications. It refers to the average number of bits or characters passing per unit of time between equipment in a data transmission system.