Today we will learn about what is RAM and the advantages and disadvantages of RAM & Function of RAM, which will help you to make important decisions on your laptop or computer.
As you probably know, when the processor of the computer keeps on processing a task, the RAM stores the same task in its memory at the same time. But What is the definition of RAM? how does this work exactly? What are the advantages and disadvantages of RAM? What else should you know about RAM?
We have explained everything about RAM, its functions and its advantages and disadvantages of RAM in this article.
What is RAM
RAM is an important device for computers. This stands for Random Access Memory. It stores temporary files that your computer needs to load and run programs. In the Windows operating system, by right-clicking on This PC and selecting Properties, you will get information about how much capacity RAM is installed in your system.
In macOS, click About This Mac > More Info > Memory. How much RAM you need depends on the type of work you do. For example, if you work with larger images or video files, you will need more capacity RAM.
For most people, 8GB is sufficient for everyday use. If you use virtual machines like Parallels or VMWare Fusion, however, 16GB will be needed for optimal performance. Be careful not to install too much RAM because your system may become unstable and crash.
Sometimes your system is running slow then upgrading the RAM is not the only solution. First of all, it has to be seen which CPU is installed. if your system is working slowly and the “Dual-Core” processor is installed then upgrading the RAM is not the solution. Therefore, you have to maintain a balance between processor and RAM then the system will work properly.
Function of RAM
What exactly does the function of RAM? Answering that question is pretty straightforward. RAM stores information in an easily accessible format. The reason you would use RAM instead of some other storage device, like a USB drive or SD card, boils down to speed and convenience.
A computer’s RAM operates much faster than other similar memory options and allows you to retrieve any data stored on it quickly. On top of that, when you turn off your computer, any information stored in its RAM is erased automatically. So, RAM is also called “Volatile memory”.
Therefore, if you’re working on something very important (like a word processing document or spreadsheet), it’s recommended that you save that file to your hard drive. As well so it doesn’t disappear when your computer powers down.
A computer is used in the home is used for very small tasks. But in a software company or research centre, those systems are used for multiple tasks at a time.
If a computer has a processor of i7 and 16 GB of RAM, then many things can be done simultaneously on that computer. We all call RAM a memory device, so what does it store inside itself? When the processor processes a task, the entire file of the same task is stored in RAM until the process is executed.
Due to having RAM in the computer, today we can do multiple tasks at a time. At this point, we have talked about how RAM functions. If you want to know more about RAM then be sure to check out our guide below!
How Does RAM Work?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM starts working when the computer turns on and all the programs start loading. RAM usually processes the programs loaded in the CPU by storing them in its storage.
Random refers to how fast computers can access data stored in RAM. They don’t have to sort through a long list of information, they quickly grab what they need. That’s why RAM increases the speed of your computer. It gives your computer access to more data at a faster speed than a hard drive.
RAM is a primary memory. There are many memory cells or memory addresses inside it. When a task is run by the processor, at that time the same task is stored in the RAM memory. The task is stored separately in different memory addresses. The processor randomly accesses and processes the same task and executes it. That’s why RAM is called Random Access Memory.
Types of RAM in Computer
There are 2 types of RAM
- SRAM: It stands for Static Random Access Memory. It stores the data in its memory as long as it gets a power supply. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed frequently. Static RAM accesses data very quickly and costs more than DRAM. SRAM is used for the cache memory of the computer.
- DRAM: It stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. This dynamic memory stores the data bits in capacitors. Capacitors can be charged or discharged. Dynamic RAM is refreshed frequently to ensure that there is no charge leakage in the capacitors. It costs less than SRAM.
One of the most basic facts a computer user needs to know about RAM is that it comes in different types. These include SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3, and RDRAM. SDRAM stands for single data rate random access memory, while DDR stands for double data rate. Both work similarly but at differing rates.
DDR operates twice as fast as SDRAM. In addition to SDRAM and DDR2 RAM, you will often see Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) used on computers. This type of RAM was developed by Rambus Inc., which was acquired by Micron Technology Inc. in 2006. It was first introduced in 1999 but has since been discontinued due to its high cost relative to other forms of RAM.
The biggest advantage of RDRAM over other forms of RAM is its bandwidth, or how much information can be moved through it at one time. It also uses less power than other forms of RAM, making it more efficient overall. However, these benefits are not likely enough to outweigh its high cost and low availability compared with other forms of memory today.
Advantages and Disadvantages of RAM
Advantages of RAM
There are so many advantages of RAM.
- RAM works at a higher speed than all other memory of the computer.
- It consumes less power than other devices like hard disks, CD drives, keyboards, mouse etc.
- Due to RAM, the processor is able to work faster, this is because during the time of data processing, RAM stores that data inside itself.
- Along with increasing the speed of the processor, the computer also runs faster.
- It can perform read and write operations of any data.
Disadvantages of RAM
Also, there are some disadvantages to RAM.
- RAM storage is less than all other memory devices.
- RAM stores only the data being processed in its storage and removes that data after the processing is over. That’s why this memory is also called volatile memory. That’s why data is not permanently stored in it
- RAM is more expensive than its storage.
- It works slower than the cache memory in the CPU.
How Much RAM Do You Need?
RAM gets its name because data can be accessed in any order, as opposed to a hard drive, which must read and write data sequentially. When it comes to how much RAM you need, how much you’ll use will depend on what kind of tasks you’re working on.
For example, if you do a lot of video editing or heavy multitasking, more RAM will help speed things up. But even casual users may want to consider getting more RAM if they have older computers with less capacity or if they just want to keep things running smoothly.
The easiest way is to find out how much RAM is installed on your computer. So right-click on “My Computer” and then left-click on the “Properties” option at the bottom. From here you will be able to know in detail about which processor, how much GB RAM, and which operating system is installed in your computer.
Once you know how much RAM you have, you can figure out whether or not more would be useful.
There are some basic guidelines: 4GB is enough for most everyday computing needs. 8GB makes sense if you work with large files (like videos) or do other resource-intensive work (like gaming). 16GB should cover all but intensive pro-level uses like video editing and graphic design work.
How to Upgrade Your RAM
If you’re a regular PC user, it might have occurred to you that your computer has been slowing down lately. This might be due to issues with your PC’s internal memory, or RAM. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to fix up your RAM and keep things running smoothly.
First of all, open up your PC case (typically located in one of your desktop’s legs) and locate where your RAM is installed. Make sure you know which slot holds which module you want to make sure that each stick of RAM goes into its designated spot! Once everything is in place, close up your case and power on your machine.
If everything works as expected, congratulations! You just upgraded your RAM without breaking a sweat! If you know about the hardware of the computer or which slot RAM is installed, then do not do this work. You take your computer to a computer mechanic and tell the same problem and get it solved.
There’s also a good chance that you didn’t need to upgrade your RAM at all. It might be enough to clear out any junk files using Disk Cleanup, perform maintenance using CCleaner, or delete unnecessary programs using Revo Uninstaller Pro. While these tips won’t necessarily improve performance on their own, they’ll give your PC a much-needed spring cleaning while potentially preventing further issues from cropping up later on down the line.
Also Read
- Can you upgrade a laptop graphics card
- Does RAM affect download speed and browsing speed
- Is a 128GB SSD Enough for Windows 11
- Can you build a gaming laptop
- Does RAM Affect Computer Speed
- More RAM or Better Graphics Card- Which is Better
Conclusion
RAM is a section of your computer’s hard drive that stores programs and data while they are in use. Think of it as your brain; when you think about something, you are activating neurons in your brain to create new pathways that enable you to remember things more easily. When you shut down your computer, all of those pathways get wiped out.
The same thing happens with RAM—when you turn off your computer, all that information disappears because there is no longer any power running through those circuits. However, unlike our brains (so far), computers can be programmed to store information in their RAM even after they have been turned off by keeping them plugged into an outlet or battery pack.
This allows us to quickly restart our computers without having to wait for them to reload everything from their hard drives every time we turn them on.
In addition, since our computers run much faster than our brains do, we can also write programs that allow us to load multiple files at once so that we don’t have to swap between each one constantly. As long as there is enough RAM available for these tasks, it makes doing work on a computer much easier than trying to juggle multiple documents in our heads at once.
So, RAM is an important part of the computer. In this article, I have given you detailed information about the Advantages and Disadvantages of RAM, Types of RAM and functions of RAM and how much RAM do you need.
I hope you understand this. If you do not understand anything in this article or want to improve, then tell us your problem in the comment box below. I will solve your problem.
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