Nearly every computing-capable device needs RAM. Take a look at your favorite device (e.g. smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops, graphing calculators, HDTVs, handheld gaming systems, etc.), and you should find some information about the RAM. Although all RAM basically serves the same purpose, there are a few different types commonly in use today:
- Static RAM (SRAM)
- Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
- Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
- Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM)
- Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4)
- Graphics Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (GDDR SDRAM, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5)
- Flash Memory
What Is RAM?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The data stored in RAM can be accessed almost instantly regardless of where in memory it is stored, so it’s very fast — milliseconds fast. RAM has a very fast path to the computer’s CPU, or central processing unit, the brain of the computer that does most of the work.
Random access memory (RAM) is a general-purpose memory which usually stores the user data in a program. RAM memory is volatile in the sense that it cannot retain data in the absence of power, i.e. data are lost after the removal of power. Most microcontrollers have some amount of internal RAM.