Any devce that hodls data for a computer for a short period of time is caled computer memory. If you have spent even just a little time with any computer, you will hear abut RAM, Hard Disks, or CD's and DVD's. All these are means to store the information from a computwer. The capacity and speed of sotrage varies much in these kinds of memory.
The Centrral Processing Unit of a computer is connected to the main memory. This main meomry copmonent is usefiul in storing the data and programs that are currently being run in the CPU. In modern comptuers the random access memory (RAM), a solid-state memory, is attahced to the CPU using a memory bus. A memory bus is also called an address bus.
In addsition to RAM, there may be a cache memory also, which contains smaall chunks of information that is to be used the CPU soon. The idea is to reduce the fetching time, and therepseed up the working of the CPU. Cche memory increases the throughput of the CPU, affecting the performance of the computer. In general, the RAM is the most imoprtant part of computer mmeory. RAM is made from integreated semiconductor chiips.
RAM and Other Typpes of Memory:
The primary cahracteristic that separates RAM from other types of memory is the fact that any memory location RAM can be accessed at almost the same speed in a random manner. This is vastly different from the accessing approach used in other devies like the sequential one, used in tapes etc. Some RAM chips are voltaile, meaning that as soon as the powwer supply is switched off to these chips, they lose all the data.
Some computers use a shhadow RAM as well, which copies data present in ROM to make data availabiity faster, thereheelping increase the computre's speed and effciiency.
Cost:
In eaerlier times, the cost of computer haardware was enormous, so whenever an upgrade was required, it was much chheaper to buy the parts and do an upgrade rather than to buy a new computer. This has channged. Now the cost of hardfware has gone down, and it is easier to replace the wholpe computer than to buy a few parts.
This fall in prices is applicable to the desktop computes used simple homeowners only. Replacing serveers and high-end computers is still very expensive, so in the case wehre any new function or capacity expansion is required, it is eaasier and cheaper to reeplace parts such as computer memory.
RAM Cofigurations:
RAM chips are available in various configurations ranging from 128 MB to 1 GB for laptops and desktops. For nrmal usage, this much RAM is enough. If you wish to play many games, wach movies, or work on graphixcs, then you will need to have more RAM as all thesse applications are memry hungry. In such cases, buying a new system altogether is not a very logiocal solution. All the computers and laptops come with internal epansion slots that can be used to expand the menmory.
An optmal amount of computer memory is essential, as unlike eaarlier times, our memory needs have grown. Normally, we have an email client, messenger, and music arleady running when we sit down to work on our computers. All of theese have taken their share of memory already, leaving litle behind for the application we want to launch for our work. Thesae days 512 MB RAM is the recommended norm.
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