What sets static ram apart from dynamic ram?

Answer 1

Static RAM (SRAM)

1. 4 times more expensive

2. Very low access time

3. Can store ¼ as much

4. Information stored on RS flip-flops

5. No need for refreshing

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

1. Low cost

2. Consumes less power

3. Can store 4 times as much

4. Information stored on FET transistors

5. Needs to be refreshed

Answer 2

Dynamic RAM is the most common type of memory in use today. Inside a dynamic RAM chip, each memory cell holds one bit of information and is made up of two parts: a transistor and a capacitor. These are, of course, extremely small transistors and capacitors so that millions of them can fit on a single memory chip. The capacitor holds the bit of information -- a 0 or a 1 (see How Bits and Bytes Work for information on bits). The transistor acts as a switch that lets the control circuitry on the memory chip read the capacitor or change its state.

A capacitor is like a small bucket that is able to store electrons. To store a 1 in the memory cell, the bucket is filled with electrons. To store a 0, it is emptied. The problem with the capacitor's bucket is that it has a leak. In a matter of a few milliseconds a full bucket becomes empty. Therefore, for dynamic memory to work, either the CPU or the memory controller has to come along and recharge all of the capacitors holding a 1 before they discharge. To do this, the memory controller reads the memory and then writes it right back. This refresh operation happens automatically thousands of times per second.

Answer 3

Even though both SRAMs and DRAMs are volatile memories, they have some important differences. Since the DRAM requires a single capacitor and a transistor for each memory cell, it is much simpler in the structure than the SRAM, which uses six transistors for each memory cell. On the other hand, due to the use of capacitors, DRAM requires to be refreshed periodically as opposed to the SRAM. DRAMs are less expensive and slower than SRAMs. Therefore they are used for the large main memory of personal computers, workstations, etc., while SRAM are used for the smaller and faster cache memory.

Answer 4

Static RAM uses a

completely different

technology. In static RAM,

a form of flip-flop holds

each bit of memory. A

flip-flop for a memory cell takes 4 or 6 transistors

along with some wiring,

but never has to be

refreshed. This makes

static RAM significantly

faster than dynamic RAM.

However, because it has

more parts, a static

memory cell takes a lot

more space on a chip than

a dynamic memory cell.

Therefore you get less

memory per chip, and that

makes static RAM a lot

more expensive.

So static RAM is fast and

expensive, and dynamic

RAM is less expensive and

slower. Therefore static

RAM is used to create the

CPU's speed-sensitive

cache, while dynamic RAM

forms the larger system

(RAM space)

Answer 5

Static Ram is retained when the power to your PC is switched off. Dynamic RAM is lost since it needs to be constantly refreshed like a showman spinning plates in the air.

Answer 6

• static RAM will hold data as long as power is on.
• dynamic RAM requires both power and a periodic refresh/rewrite to prevent the stored data from fading away.