Random-access memory: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:23, 20 October 2024

Revision as of 19:30, 3 November 2024

Line 5:

{{Memory types}}

[[File:Electronic Memory.jpg|thumb| A 64 bit memory chip die, the SP95 Phase 2 Bufferbuffer Memorymemory produced at IBM mid 60s-1960s, versus [[Magnetic-core memory|memory core iron rings]]]]

[[File:Swissbit 2GB PC2-5300U-555.jpg|right|thumb|Example of [[read/write memory|writable]] [[volatile memory|volatile]] random-access memory: Synchronous [[Dynamicdynamic RAM]] [[DIMM|modules]], primarily used as main memory in [[personal computers]], [[workstation]]s, and [[Server (computing)|server]]s.]]

[[File:Random Access Memory HyperX.jpg|thumb|8GB [[DDR3]] [[RAM]] stick with a white [[heatsink]]]]

'''Random-access memory''' ('''RAM'''; {{IPAc-en|r|æ|m}}) is a form of [[Computer memory|electronic computer memory]] that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working [[Data (computing)|data]] and [[machine code]].<ref>{{cite web |title=RAM |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ram |website=[[Cambridge English Dictionary]] |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RAM |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/ram_2 |website=[[Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary]] |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> A [[random-access]] memory device allows data items to be [[read (computer)|read]] or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical ___location of data inside the memory, in contrast with other direct-access data storage media (such as [[hard disk]]s and [[Magnetic tape data storage|magnetic tape]]), where the time required to read and write data items varies significantly depending on their physical locations on the recording medium, due to mechanical limitations such as media rotation speeds and arm movement.