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Random Access Memory

RAM, or random access memory, is a computer's short-term storage where currently processing data is stored for fast access. Over time, RAM technology has evolved from early forms using magnetic cores and tubes to today's solid-state DRAM and SRAM. Each generation of DRAM, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and now DDR5, increases speed and lowers power consumption compared to the previous generation. However, RAM is not compatible across different motherboard generations and can only be used with the motherboard type it is designed to support.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
236 views18 pages

Random Access Memory

RAM, or random access memory, is a computer's short-term storage where currently processing data is stored for fast access. Over time, RAM technology has evolved from early forms using magnetic cores and tubes to today's solid-state DRAM and SRAM. Each generation of DRAM, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and now DDR5, increases speed and lowers power consumption compared to the previous generation. However, RAM is not compatible across different motherboard generations and can only be used with the motherboard type it is designed to support.

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BL A CK
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RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY

(RAM)
JOANN SORIA
WHAT IS
RAM
• RAM (random access memory)
is a computer's short-term
memory, where the data that the
processor is currently using is
stored. Your computer can access
RAM memory much faster than
data on a hard disk, SSD, or
other long-term storage device,
which is why RAM capacity is
critical for system performance.
HISTORY OF RAM
• The first form of RAM came about in 1947 with the use of the Williams tube. It utilized a
CRT (cathode ray tube); the data was stored on the face as electrically charged spots.

• The second widely used form of RAM was magnetic-core memory, invented in 1947.
Frederick Viehe is credited with much of the work, having filed for several patents relating
to the design. Magnetic-core memory works through the use of tiny metal rings and wires
connecting to each ring. One bit of data could be stored per ring and accessed at any time.

• However, RAM, as we know it today, as solid-state memory, was first invented in 1968 by
Robert Dennard. Known specifically as dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM,
transistors were used to store bits of data.
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER
MEMORY
ERA founders with various magnetic
Jay Forrester holding early core memory plane
drum memories

1949 1950
1947 Magnetic drum memory
Manchester Mark I Williams-Kilburn tube MIT - Magnetic core
memory

Hitachi 256K-bit DRAM

1976
Woman holding deck of CRAM
Cover of April 4, 1966 issue of Electronics
Japanese manufactured dynamic
1962 magazine 1966 random-access memory
Card Random Access Memory Signetics 8-bit (DRAM)
Original Shugart SA400 5 ¼-inch floppy disk drive
Surface close-up of a Magneto-Optical disc Sony 700 MB CD-RW disc
1978 1990 1997
Shugart 5 ¼-inch flexible disk drive Magneto-Optical Compact Disc-ReWritable (CD-
Discs RW)

SanDisk 4GB Cruzer flash drive

2000
1999 Deskstar 1TB HDD
USB Flash
IBM drive 2007
Microdrive First 1 TB hard disk drive
(HDD)
TYPES OF RAM
• There are two main types of RAM: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM).
• DRAM (pronounced DEE-RAM), is widely used as a computer’s main memory. Each
DRAM memory cell is made up of a transistor and a capacitor within an integrated circuit,
and a data bit is stored in the capacitor. Since transistors always leak a small amount, the
capacitors will slowly discharge, causing information stored in it to drain; hence, DRAM
has to be refreshed (given a new electronic charge) every few milliseconds to retain data.
• SRAM (pronounced ES-RAM) is made up of four to six transistors. It keeps data in the
memory as long as power is supplied to the system unlike DRAM, which has to be refreshed
periodically. As such, SRAM is faster but also more expensive, making DRAM the more
prevalent memory in computer systems.
DRAM SRAM
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 AND DDR5?
• All desktops, laptops and tablets use random-access memory (RAM) to store the short-term data they need
to function. As computers evolve, RAM improves too.

• Computers built before 2002 generally used synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM). Fast
forward to 2021, and memory technology took a revolutionary stride with DDR5 DRAM. During the years
in between, several generations of RAM entered the market.

• Each generation of RAM increases speed and frequency while decreasing power consumption. Since
computer hardware is all connected and interdependent, this can lead to speed increases in other
components, too, which is why upgrading your memory is a great way to fix a slow computer.

• Since the differences between the generations of RAM can be confusing, we created this explainer to give
you clear insights and fair comparisons so you can build your own PC, upgrade your computer, or just
understand more about RAM.
WHAT IS SDRAM?

• SDRAM was developed in 1988 in response to increased speeds of other computer


components. The "synchronous" in its name is a clue — SDRAM modules are
designed to automatically synchronize with the timing of the central processing unit
(CPU).

• Just like a clock, the memory controller knows the exact cycle when the requested
data will be ready, meaning the CPU doesn't have to wait between memory accesses.
SDRAM can only read/write one time per clock cycle.
WHAT IS DDR?
• DDR, short for double data rate, was introduced in 2000 as the next generation following
SDRAM. DDR transfers data to the processor on both the downbeat and upbeat of the clock
signal, so twice per cycle. Using both beats to transfer data makes DDR memory significantly
faster than SDR memory, which uses only one edge of the clock signal to transfer data.

• The process of the DDR transferring two bits of data from the memory array to the internal
input/output buffer is called 2-bit prefetch. DDR transfer rates are usually between 266 and
400MT/s. Bear in mind that double data rate is different from dual-channel memory.

• Over time, DDR technology has evolved to handle improvements to other components and has
enhanced overall computer performance. We'll now explore and compare each generation of
DDRAM.
DDR VS. DDR2

• DDR2 was introduced in 2003 and operates twice as fast as DDR due to an improved
bus signal. DDR2 uses the same internal clock speed as DDR, however, the transfer
rates are faster due to the enhanced input/output bus signal. DDR2 has a 4-bit
prefetch, which is twice that of DDR. DDR2 can also reach data rates of 533 to
800MT/s.

• DDR2 memory can be installed in pairs to run in "dual channel mode," which can
increase memory throughput even more.
DDR2 VS. DDR3

• In 2007 DDR3 technology was introduced with not only 2x the bandwidth and
transfer rates of DDR2, but a significant reduction in power consumption – roughly
40% compared to DDR2. . This reduction from 1.8 to 1.5V meant lower operating
currents and voltages, which was fantastic news for battery operated devices.. DDR3
transfer rates are between 800 and 1600MT/s.

• All these improvements meant higher bandwidth and performance with less power
consumption, making DDR3 a great memory option for laptops.
DDR3 VS DDR4
• Seven years after the release of DDR3, DDR4 became available. The DDR4 has lower
operating voltage with 1.2 V, and has higher transfer rates than previous generations,
processing four data rates per cycle. This means DDR4 consumes less power and is
faster and more efficient than DDR3. This newer generation also introduced bank
groups to avoid having a prefetch of 16, which isn’t desirable. With bank groups, each
group can execute 8-bits of data independently from the other, so DDR4 can process
multiple data requests within a clock cycle.

• DDR4 transfer rates are continually rising, as DDR4 modules can reach speeds of
5100MT/s and even higher when overclocked. Crucial Ballistix MAX modules broke
numerous overclocking world records in 2020.
DDR4 VS DDR5
• DDR5 was introduced in 2021, and is the most recent generation of memory technology, marking a
revolutionary jump in architecture. It’s arguably the biggest jump in memory technology we’ve seen
since SDRAM.

• DDR5 brings better channel efficiency, improved power management, and optimized performance -
enabling next-generation multi-core computing systems. DDR5 launch speeds deliver nearly double
the bandwidth of DDR4. It also allows scaling memory performance without degrading channel
efficiency at higher rates. These results aren’t just during testing but under real-world conditions.

• DDR5 memory standard is a denser memory stick and equates to more memory capacity in your
system. In comparison, the DDR4 stopped at 16-gigabit memory chips, but DDR5 offers up to 64-
gigabit memory chips. Crucial DDR5 memory will operate at 4800MT/s at launch, 1.5x the
maximum standard DDR4 speed.
SDRAM DDR DDR2

DDR3 DDR4 DDR5


MEMORY IS NOT COMPATIBLE ACROSS ALL
MOTHERBOARDS
• Generally speaking, motherboards are built to support only one type of memory. So, you
can't mix and match SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5 memory on the
same motherboard, as they won't function. They may not even fit in the same sockets.

• RAM systems are industry-wide standardized, so you need to know the electrical
parameters and physical shape of the memory hardware installed in your computer.
Because the electrical parameters are different for each generation of memory, the
physical form of the memory changes to prevent the wrong memory from being installed
in a computer. For example, choosing between SDRAM vs DDR5 isn't possible as
motherboards can only use a particular memory specification. Some forms of memory
are cross-compatible, but your system will only work with the appropriate RAM.

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