What Most common memory technology used in today computers?

Answer 1

There are actually several. I'll cover them all.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the most common memory type in use for any, general purpose functionality. This is due to it's cheap manufacture, relatively high speed, reliability, and accessibility. RAM can be written to, read from, and erased rapidly without trouble. Other types may be Read Only, or may not be able to be written to on demand, or may have other unusual features that make it undesireable for specific applications.

DRAM (Dynamic RAM) is the most common individual RAM technology. There are MANY kinds, which I'll name later. It can read, write, and be erased easily and quickly. It is cheap to manufacture, and pretty reliable. However, it uses more power than some other kinds, and loses it's information if power is lost. RAM can reach speeds of up to 12,800 megabytes per second, depending on technology, frequency, and latency.

Types of DRAM:

FP-RAM, EDO RAM, BEDO RAM, SDRAM, RDRAM/Rambus, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, Window Ram, Bubble RAM, GDDR, GSDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5, XRAM, XDRAM, RTRAM, (some) vacuum tubes, etc.

Static RAM and Cache RAM are used typically inside processors. SRAM (Static RAM) is much faster and smaller than DRAM, but also more expensive. It does NOT lose information if power is lost (however CPUs typically clear SRAM for reliability reasons.) SRAM is usually in sizes of 8 MB or less, and used for specific tasks. SRAM can reach as high as 32,000 megabytes a second. SRAM is the most reliable method of memory in existence as of now, which it has to be as it's under constant, heavy use even when the CPU is idle. A CPU's Cache SRAM may move as much as 1 TB (1 terabyte) per day! With a tolerance of *zero*, that means it has to be accurate every single time, or an error will result.

Types of SRAM:

SRAM, Cache, Buffer, Core Memory, (some) Vacuum Tubes, Mercuric Memory, Magnetic Memory, Delay Line Memory, etc.

There are also types of ROM (Read Only Memory) which can only be read from, typically.

PROM (Programmable ROM) can be written to only under special situations, typically during their initial manufacture, and cannot be changed by the system. PROM is permanent memory data, meaning it doesn't disappear without power even after a long period of time.

EEPROM (Electronically Eraseable ROM) can be erased electrically, including by the computer, and written to again in a single sequential block. CMOS/BIOS, Firmware, etc. typically use this to store data. The fastest EEPROMs and PROMs can push 200 MB/s. EEPROM and PROM are typically used for read-only functions, and as such, can be considered almost totally reliable for read tasks.

Flash and SD memory are types of PRAM (Programmable Random Access Memory). They use an electrical means to randomly read, write, and erase data. They can also be used for storage, such as Flash Cards, XD cards, Memory Sticks, USB Thumb Drives, and Solid State Drives. The fastest Flash and SSDs can push 2,000 MB/s. Most mp3 players and portable media players use Flash and SSD to store music and data, as it's smaller and faster than small HDDs. Flash and SD are also less reliable than DRAM and SRAM.

Virtual Memory is a term used to denote a storage device being used as RAM. Anything that can read/write randomly can be used as RAM, so many computers use Hard Drives to temporarily store data, usually to conserve DRAM or if the system runs out of DRAM. Hard drives are MUCH slower than DRAM, SRAM, and as of this writing, can push a maximum sustained rate of 120 MB/s. As such, this is not a desireable method of memory storage. The advantage is that Hard Drives are very, very large and quite inexpensive. However they are also far less reliable than DRAM and SRAM.

Answer 2

DDR

Answer 3

Mega Bites