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COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS & TABLETS > ACCESSORIES & HARDWARE 543

The RAM Types That Run

Today's Computers
Common types and how they differ
By Stanley Goodner Updated on April 20, 2021
Reviewed by Christine Baker

IN THIS ARTICLE
What Exactly Is RAM (Random Access Memory)?

Static RAM (SRAM) Explained

What Is Dynamic RAM (DRAM)?

What Is Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)?

Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM)

Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM)

What Is GDDR SDRAM?
What Is Flash Memory?

Frequently Asked Questions

Nearly every computing-capable device needs RAM. Take a look at

your favorite device (e.g., smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops,
graphing calculators, HDTVs, handheld gaming systems, etc.), and
you should find some information about the RAM. Although all RAM
basically serves the sameJUMP TO A SECTION
purpose, there are a few different types
commonly in use today: Ad

Static RAM (SRAM)

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Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM)
Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM,
DDR2, DDR3, DDR4)
Graphics Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (GDDR
SDRAM, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5)
Flash Memory

What Is RAM?
JUMP TOMemory
RAM stands for Random Access A SECTIONand it gives computers the
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it gives computers the Ad
virtual space needed to manage information and solve problems in
the moment. You can think of it as
TECH FORreusable
HUMANS scratch paper that you
would write notes, numbers, or drawings on with a pencil. If you run
out of room on the paper, you make more by erasing what you no
longer need; RAM behaves similarly when it needs more space to
deal with temporary information (i.e. running software/programs).
Larger pieces of paper allow you to scribble out more (and bigger)
ideas at a time before having to erase; more RAM inside of
computers shares a similar effect.

RAM comes in a variety of shapes (i.e. the way it physically connects

to or interfaces with computing systems), capacities (measured in MB
or GB), speeds (measured in MHz or GHz), and architectures. These
and other aspects are important to consider when upgrading systems
with RAM, as computer systems (e.g. hardware, motherboards) have
to adhere to strict compatibility guidelines. For example:

Older-generation computers are unlikely to accommodate the

more recent types of RAM technology
Laptop memory won’t fit in desktops (and vice versa)
RAM is not always backward compatible
A system generally can't mix and match different
types/generations of RAM together

Static RAM (SRAM)

Time in market: 1990s to present
Popular products using SRAM: Digital cameras, routers,
printers, LCD screens

One of the two basic memory types (the other being DRAM), SRAM
requires const nt power flow in order to function. Because of the
continuous power, SRAM doesn’t need to be ‘refreshed’ to remember
the data being stored. This is why SRAM is called ‘static’ – no change
or action (e.g. refreshing)JUMP TO A SECTION
is needed to keep data intact. However,
 Ad
SRAM is a volatile memory, which means that all the data that had
been stored becomes lost once the power is cut off.
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The advantages of using SRAM (vs. DRAM) are lower power
consumption and faster access speeds. The disadvantages of using
SRAM (vs. DRAM) are lesser memory capacities and higher costs of
manufacturing. Because of these characteristics, SRAM is typically
used in:

CPU cache (e.g. L1, L2, L3)

Hard drive buffer/cache
Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) on video cards

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Time in market: 1970s to mid-1990s
Popular products using DRAM: Video game
consoles, networking hardware

One of the two basic memory types (the other being SRAM), DRAM
requires periodic ‘refresh’ of power in order to function. The
capacitors that store data in DRAM gradually discharge energy; no
energy means the data becomes lost. This is why DRAM is called
‘dynamic’ — constant change or action (e.g. refreshing) is needed to
keep data intact. DRAM is also a volatile memory, which means that all
the stored data becomes lost once the power is cut off.

The advantages of using DRAM (vs. SRAM) are lower costs of

manufacturing and greater memory capacities. The disadvantages of
using DRAM (vs. SRAM) are slower access speeds and higher power
consumption. Because of these characteristics, DRAM is typically used
in:

System memory
Video graphics memory
JUMP TO A SECTION
 Ad
In the 1990s, Extended D t Out Dyn mic RAM (EDO DRAM) was
developed, followed by its evolution, Burst EDO RAM (BEDO DRAM).
TECH FOR
These memory types had appeal dueHUMANS
to increased

performance/efficiency at lower costs. However, the technology was

rendered obsolete by the development of SDRAM.

Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)

Time in market: 1993 to present
Popular products using SDRAM: Computer memory, video
game consoles

SDRAM is a classification of DRAM that operates in sync with the CPU

clock, which means that it waits for the clock signal before
responding to data input (e.g. user interface). By contrast, DRAM is
asynchronous, which means it responds immediately to data input. But
the benefit of synchronous operation is that a CPU can process
overlapping instructions in parallel, also known as ‘pipelining’—the
ability to receive (read) a new instruction before the previous
instruction has been fully resolved (write).

Although pipelining doesn’t affect the time it takes to process

instructions, it does allow more instructions to be completed
simultaneously. Processing one read nd one write instruction per
clock cycle results in higher overall CPU transfer/performance rates.
SDRAM supports pipelining due to the way its memory is divided into
separate banks, which is what led to its widespread preference over
basic DRAM.

Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM

(SDR SDRAM)
Time in market: 1993 to present
Popular products using SDR SDRAM: Computer memory,
video game consoles JUMP TO A SECTION
 Ad
SDR SDRAM is the expanded term for SDRAM — the two types are
one and the same, but most TECH
frequently referred to as just SDRAM. The
FOR HUMANS
‘single data rate’ indicates how the memory processes one read and
one write instruction per clock cycle. This labeling helps to clarify
comparisons between SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM:

DDR SDRAM is essentially the second-generation development of

SDR SDRAM

Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic

RAM (DDR SDRAM)
Time in market: 2000 to present
Popular products using DDR SDRAM: Computer memory

DDR SDRAM operates like SDR SDRAM, only twice as fast. DDR
SDRAM is capable of processing two re d nd two write instructions
per clock cycle (hence the ‘double’). Although similar in function,
DDR SDRAM has physical differences (184 pins and a single notch on
the connector) versus SDR SDRAM (168 pins and two notches on the
connector). DDR SDRAM also works at a lower standard voltage (2.5
V from 3.3 V), preventing backward compatibility with SDR SDRAM.

DDR2 SDRAM is the evolutionary upgrade to DDR SDRAM.

While still double data rate (processing two read and two write
instructions per clock cycle), DDR2 SDRAM is faster because it
can run at higher clock speeds. Standard (not overclocked) DDR
memory modules top out at 200 MHz, whereas standard DDR2
memory modules top out at 533 MHz. DDR2 SDRAM runs at a
lower voltage (1.8 V) with more pins (240), which prevents
backward compatibility.
DDR3 SDRAM improves performance over DDR2 SDRAM
through advanced signal processing (reliability), greater memory
capacity, lower power consumption (1.5 V), and higher standard
l k
JUMP TO A SECTIONh DDR3 SDRAM h
d ( t 800 Mh ) Alth
 clock speeds (up to 800 Mhz). Although DDR3 SDRAM shares Ad

the same number of pins as DDR2 SDRAM (240), all other

aspects prevent backwardTECH FOR HUMANS
compatibility.

DDR4 SDRAM improves performance over DDR3 SDRAM

through more advanced signal processing (reliability), even
greater memory capacity, even lower power consumption (1.2
V), and higher standard clock speeds (up to 1600 Mhz). DDR4
SDRAM uses a 288-pin configuration, which also prevents
backward compatibility.

Graphics Double Data Rate Synchronous

Dynamic RAM (GDDR SDRAM)
Time in market: 2003 to present
Popular products using GDDR SDRAM: Video graphics cards,
some tablets

GDDR SDRAM is a type of DDR SDRAM that is specifically designed

for video graphics rendering, typically in conjunction with a
dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit) on a video card. Modern
PC games are known to push the envelope with incredibly realistic
high-definition environments, often requiring hefty system specs and
the best video card hardware in order to play (especially when using
720p or 1080p high-resolution displays).
The 4 Best Graphics Cards of 2022

Similar to DDR SDRAM, GDDR SDRAM has its own evolutionary

line (improving performance and lowering power consumption):
GDDR2 SDRAM, GDDR3 SDRAM, GDDR4 SDRAM, and GDDR5
SDRAM.

Despite sharing very similar characteristics with DDR SDRAM, GDDR

SDRAM is not exactly the same. There are notable differences with the
way GDDR SDRAM operates, particularly regarding how bandwidth is
favored over latency. GDDR SDRAM is expected to process massive
JUMP TO A SECTION il t th f t t
t f d t (b d idth) b t t d
amounts of data (bandwidth), but not necessarily at the fastest speeds Ad

(latency); think of a 16-lane highway set at 55 MPH. Comparatively,

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DDR SDRAM is expected to have low latency to immediately respond
to the CPU; think of a 2-lane highway set at 85 MPH.

Flash Memory
Time in market: 1984 to present
Popular products using flash memory: Digital cameras,
smartphones/tablets, handheld gaming systems/toys

Flash memory is a type of non-vol tile storage medium that retains all
data after power has been cut off. Despite the name, flash memory is
closer in form and operation (i.e. storage and data transfer) to solid-
state drives than the aforementioned types of RAM. Flash memory is
most commonly used in:
USB flash drives
Printers
Portable media players
Memory cards
Small electronics/toys

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a best type of RAM? There isn't, because different
kinds of RAM often have very different applications. But for a
home computing user, today the best option by far is DDR4.
What's fastest: DDR2. DDR3. or DDR4? Each generation of
RAM improves on the previous one, bringing faster speeds and
more bandwidth to the table. The fastest RAM in the context of
home computing is easily DDR4.
JUMP TO A SECTION
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