Access speed. Read/writes per second. Memory is, as with all technology, in constant metamorphosis. You have DRam, SDram, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and several others. Its all about what mhz they operate at. The higher the frequency, the faster the access. The newer stuff is not only faster, but uses less energy and has higher capacity due to increasingly efficient nano-technology (ie: the size and spacing of the circuit paths).
If we were to use a physical media such as a hdd for main memory, even with today's uber-fast sata drives, you'd be surprised at how much slower it would run. Thank the techno-gurus that we're long past having to pull out a half dozen 5.25 floppies just to get our computer booted up and load a program or two, all on a monochrome/green monitor, with a whopping 16k of slug memory!
The three types of RAM, listed from slowest to fastest, are DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). DRAM is commonly used for main memory in computers due to its cost-effectiveness but is slower because it needs to be refreshed periodically. SDRAM improves upon DRAM by synchronizing with the system clock, allowing for faster data access. SRAM, while more expensive and typically used for cache memory, offers the fastest access speeds as it does not require refreshing like DRAM.
Static RAM (SRAM) is generally faster than Dynamic RAM (DRAM). SRAM uses a more complex architecture that allows it to access data more quickly, making it suitable for cache memory in processors. In contrast, DRAM is slower because it requires periodic refreshing of its stored data. However, SRAM is also more expensive and takes up more space than DRAM, which is why DRAM is commonly used for main memory in computers.
DRAM
The two major categories of RAM are dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). DRAM is cheaper and used for main memory in computers, while SRAM is faster but more expensive and is used in caches or for smaller, high-speed memory.
Cache memory is special, high-speed static memory that is used to reduce the amount of accesses to dynamic RAM. While cache memory used to be on the motherboard, it is now most commonly found inside the CPU. Static memory is larger, costlier to produce, and uses more current than DRAM. But static memory is the fastest type of memory there is and it doesn't need refreshed (so long as the power is maintained). So cache is a compromise to store the most used code and data to reduce the access to the slower DRAM.
No, DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) is not considered primary storage; it is a type of volatile memory used as main memory in computers. While it stores data temporarily for quick access by the CPU, primary storage typically refers to non-volatile storage solutions like SSDs or HDDs that retain data even when powered off. DRAM is essential for system performance, but it is not a permanent storage solution.
Conventional DRAM, of the type that has been used in PCs since the original IBM PC days, is said to be asynchronous. This refers to the fact that the memory is not synchronized to the system clock. A memory access is begun, and a certain period of time later the memory value appears on the bus. The signals are not coordinated with the system clock at all, as described in the section discussing memory access. Asynchronous memory works fine in lower-speed memory bus systems but is not nearly as suitable for use in high-speed (>66 MHz) memory systems. A newer type of DRAM, called "synchronous DRAM" or "SDRAM", is synchronized to the system clock; all signals are tied to the clock so timing is much tighter and better controlled. This type of memory is much faster than asynchronous DRAM and can be used to improve the performance of the system. It is more suitable to the higher-speed memory systems of the newest PCs.
both are semiconductor memory. semiconductor means that both need continuous voltage or charge to sustain their data. SRAM used for cache , and store data in the flip flop, no need for refreshing , fast access but more expensive. DRAM used for main memory , and store data in capacitor, need for refreshing , slow access but less expensive.
gram (most commonly kilogram) slug dram
In the most common form of computer memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
Various versions of dynamic random access memory called DRAM.
Short for static random access memory, and pronounced ess-ram. SRAM is a type of memory that is faster and more reliable than the more common DRAM (dynamic RAM). The term static is derived from the fact that it doesn't need to be refreshed like dynamic RAM. To store 1 bit of information about 6 transistors are used and it does not required refreshing. Because Six transistors are used to store 1 bit of information, it is more costlier than DRAM in terms of cost per bit, where only 1 transistor and 1 capacitor is used to store 1 bit of information.DRAM stands for dynamic random access memory, a type of memory used in most personal computers. In DRAM to store 1 bit of information 1 transistor and 1 capacitor is used. The information is stored in the capacitor in form of charge, so it required refreshing to retain the charge or data in the capacitor.SRAM is Static RAM and DRAM is Dynamic RAM. DRAM is slower than SRAM and needs to be refreshed where SRAM does not and is used for cache.(Static RAM) SRAM is similar to DRAM but does not constantly refresh. SRAM is faster and more expensive than DRAM and is generally used for speed-critical areas of the computer such as cache memory.(Dynamic Random Access Memory) DRAM is the most common type of memory and is "dynamic" because in order for the memory chip to retain data, it must be refreshed constantly (every few milliseconds). If the cell is not refreshed, the data is lost. DRAM temporarily stores data in a cell composed of a capacitor and a transistor. Each cell contains a specified number of bits. These cells are accessed by row addresses and column addresses.