What is RAM?
RAM is Random Access Memory. RAM is the area where your computer stores programs that you are currently running and data that you are currently working on.
RAM can be contrasted with disk storage. Disk storage holds all of your programs and all of your data -- whether you are working with them or not. When you turn off your computer, the contents of RAM instantly disappear, but the contents of your disk storage remain unharmed.
RAM is also sometimes contrasted with ROM. ROM (Read Only Memory) are memory chips which have had information stored on them which cannot be changed. Your motherboard may contain some ROM chips.
Types of RAM
The two main types of RAM are:
Practical Effects of RAM
Upgrading your RAM is often the #1 thing which you can do to speed up your computer.
If insufficient RAM is available in your computer, modern operating systems will copy data from RAM to the hard disk. Your hard drive is much slower than RAM, so your entire computer will slow down.
Bookmark What is RAM?
