RAM Discussion
RAM is the acronym for Random Access Memory. This is the primary working memory of the computer. RAM is temporary memory, or volatile memory, as it is known. When you are using an application program such as a word processor, once you open the program you are working from a copy of the word processing program in RAM. Any documents that you create with the program are also stored in RAM. When, after saving the information, you close the document, it is erased from RAM. When you close the word processing program, the program is erased from RAM, but not from the hard disk.. Information contained in RAM is also erased when power to the computer is lost, either when you turn off the computer, or from a power outage. This is why you will hear people telling you to “SAVE YOUR WORK FREQUENTLY” when you are using a computer. Anything not saved to a more permanent form of storage is lost if the computer stops working due to a glitch (called a crash) or power is lost.
To further confuse the issue, there are two basic types of RAM: dynamic RAM, known as DRAM, (pronounced D Ram) and SRAM, or static RAM (pronounced S Ram). DRAM is the more common and the least expensive, however, it requires more frequent bursts of electricity (called refreshing) than SRAM which is faster and more expensive. Anything contained in either form of RAM is gone when the computer is turned off. DRAM is the type of RAM found in most personal computers. See http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html for more detailed information.
The measurement unit that is used at this writing to describe RAM is gigabytes, but don't be surprised to see it expressed in terabytes in the not too distant future. As the functions that software performs increase both in number and quality, the amount of RAM needed keeps creeping upward. In 1997, 16 megs of RAM was felt to be adequate, but computers with 2, 4 and 8 gigabytes are becoming the new standards. The more RAM your computer has and can access the more functionality, and often speed, it will have. The operating system defines the amount of RAM that can be accessed.
Generally, the amount of RAM that a computer needs depends on the usage to which it will be put. Keep in mind, however, that for many people, once they have a computer, they discover more uses for it than they had originally considered. Although RAM can be added at a later date, you may have to replace the entire RAM memory to upgrade. A good rule of thumb is to buy a little more RAM than you think you will need.
Created March 24, 2009