RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM (Random Access Memory) usually refers to “temporary” memory, meaning that when the system is shut down, the memory is lost. This is why the memory is considered “random,” as any piece of information can be circulated through the memory regardless of its location and relation to any other information within the RAM. The first of the many RAMs to come in the market was created in 1951 and was used until the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Types of RAMs

The most widely used RAMs today are SRAMs (static RAMs), which store data in a state of a flip-flop or DRAMs (dynamic RAMs), Flash, and EPROM, which store data as a charge in a capacitor. Another well known type of RAM, a ROM, is one that has permanently enabled/disabled selected transistors via a metal mask. Thus, ROMs cannot store any further charges.

Flash memory is also widely used. Because SRAMs and DRAMs are known to be highly volatile, many new products adopt the flash memory technology. Some examples of devices using flash memory include portable music players, scientific calculators, mobile phones, and even certain types of personal computers such as the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) devices. Flash memory is divided into two types: the NOR and NAND. The NOR type can conduct a random access, therefore being widely used as a ROM in today’s market. NAND memory does not support random access, but it is still quite useful in applications like flash USB drives.

In today’s computers, RAMs are shipped in a form of module known as DRAM modules or memory modules. It is about the size of a piece of chewing gum and with the Plug n Play technology, it can easily be replaced by taking it out of the port and replacing it with a new one. Not to forget, there is also an extremely small amount of RAM (known as SRAMs) within CPUs, motherboards, hard drives, and other parts of the system.

RAM Swapping

Sometimes people need more memory than what the RAM installed can offer during intensive application cycles. During these sessions, the computer will conduct a task known as swapping. This is when the computer temporarily uses the hard drive space in place of the memory. Thrashing is the term for constantly swapping, but as the name suggests, constant thrashing can decrease overall system performance. More RAM being added can reduce the swapping rate.

Security Concerns

SDRAMs do not fully shut off when the power is cut. Instead, the stored memory fades away. This fading away only takes seconds in normal room temperature, which is not the case in lower temperatures, which can take up to minutes. Therefore, encrypted information could potentially be leaked as it is still stored in the memory.

Recent Developments

Currently non-volatile RAMs are under development, which means that memory can still be stored when the power is shut off. The most advanced step yet to have been taken was in 2004 when Nantero developed a fully functioning carbon nanotube memory type holding 10 GB. Recently in 2006, “Solid State Drives” with sizes of 150 GB and a faster speed than the normal hard drives have been created.