What Is RAM And How Much RAM Does A Computer Have?

Do you know what RAM is and what its full form is? I am sure that you must know a little bit about RAM.

I am saying this because whenever you go to a mobile shop or any of your friends want to buy a new mobile, the first question you ask is, How much RAM does it have? You ask this because you know that if it is high, then the performance of this mobile will also be excellent.

RAM means random-access memory. This is the short form of this word. It is a type of computer memory that is accessed randomly. This means that it temporarily stores the work being done on the computer. When the work is done, the file is saved. Then it gets stored in permanent storage.

Have you ever tried to know how this RAM works? Otherwise, no problem, Through this post, you will know what RAM is and how many types there are. You will also be able to know what its features are. So without any delay, let us know how much RAM the computer has.

What Is RAM?

It provides virtual space to the computer system so that it can manage any data and solve the problem. It works like a blackboard in school, on which we make notes, words, numbers, and drawings.

When the board is full, we erase the unnecessary things from it and write again. The bigger the blackboard, the more data can be written on it. RAM also works in the same way; many apps can be used on it according to its capacity.

This is a very important part of every mobile and computer system. This is a form of computer data storage. We also know RAM as primary memory. It is also known by other names, which are volatile memory, main memory, and physical memory.

Whenever we are working on the computer at the current time, RAM stores that data. But unless we save the data in secondary storage, it is not stored permanently.

If electricity goes off while working, then all the data gets lost. For this, we have to save the working file on a hard disk or pen drive.

More RAM is required to run the design software. You must have heard the name of the video mixing software in which mixing of wedding and party videos is done, or Solid Works, Catia, and Maya 3D, which are used for drawing and designing homes. For this, 6GB–8GB of RAM is required.

If it is less than this, it may take 10 hours to complete the work of 1 hour. However, in the systems used at home, we use only 1GB–4GB of RAM because this is sufficient for normal use. Let us understand this through an example.

Example :

Suppose you are working on a file in Microsoft Word or Excel and you have written 1000 words in it.

Now my question to you is, where are the 1000 words you have written so far being stored because you have not yet saved that file on your hard disk drive?

Yes, it is stored in Random Access memory but it remains stored in it only until the computer or mobile has power or you do not close that file.

If you lose power while you are working, all your data will be lost and your hard work will also go to waste.

That is why it is advised that if you are using a desktop, then you must use UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplier).

This will keep powering your computer system for some time, in which you will be able to save the work done permanently on the hard disk drive.

Full Form Of RAM 

“Random Access Memory”

When we open and use many applications simultaneously on our phone or computer, you might notice that the phone starts working slowly.

This happens because space gets used up in the primary memory of the mobile device or computer. When you close the application, some space gets freed up, and the mobile starts running at good speed again.

You must have understood what this means if you want to use many apps simultaneously, then your RAM should be higher.

Types Of RAM

RAM comes in many different sizes. It is divided into different parts based on its capacity and speed.

Its capacity is measured in MB and GB, and its speed is measured in MHz and GHz. When we have to change or increase the RAM in our computer, the motherboard should also be compatible with this.

• If we want to use the RAM used nowadays in an old computer system, then it is not possible, for this, both the motherboard and the processor will have to be changed.
• We cannot use the RAM used in the Laptop in the Desktop and also the RAM of the Desktop cannot be fitted in the Laptop.
• We cannot use any kind of RAM casually in a computer system. Random Access Memory depends on the motherboard used from generation to generation.

Let us now know how many types of RAM are there.

There are mainly two types of random access memory.

1. Static RAM (SRAM)
2. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

What Is Static RAM (SRAM)?

This is one of the two basic memories used in computers. It requires continuous electric power to work.

Static RAM does not need to be “refreshed” to remember the data stored in it, which is why its name is static RAM.

Static memory is volatile because, whenever there is a power cut, all the data stored in it gets lost.

Advantages of Static RAM 

• Consumes less electricity.
• Works at a much faster speed than dynamic memory.

Disadvantages of Static RAM 

• Memory capacity is useful
• Manufacturing costs are high.

Characteristics of Static RAM

• Its durability is very good.
• Moves at high speed.
• There is no need to refresh it.
• Used for CPU cache.
• It is used for digital-to-analog converters in video cards.

What Is Dynamic RAM (DRAM)?

This is exactly the opposite of static memory. We also know it as DRAM. It needs to be refreshed frequently so that it can remember the data.

The capacitor of dynamic memory, which stores the data, keeps discharging power slowly. If energy runs out, then data also runs out. There is constant action and change in it, which is why it is named Dynamic RAM.

Dynamic memory is also volatile memory because once the power is cut off, all its data is lost.

Advantages of Dynamic RAM 

• Manufacturing costs are lower.
• Memory capacity is higher.

Disadvantages of DRAM

• Consumes more electricity.
• Its speed is less.

Characteristics of Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

• Its durability is lower.
• Speed ​​decreases.
• It has to be refreshed again and again.
• Used in system memory and video graphics memory.
• Dynamic costs are less than static.

How does RAM work?

Random-access memory is the most important part of computer memory. The reason for calling it Random Access Memory is that if you know the intersecting points of the row and column of the cell, you can access any of its memory cells very easily.

Before understanding its working process, know that it is also an integrated circuit that is made up of millions of transistors and capacitors.

In this, a pair of a capacitor and a transistor is formed, which forms a memory cell that represents a single bit of data.

The capacitor holds bits of information between 0 and 1. A transistor works as a switch. It controls the circuit of the memory, i.e., reads the capacitor and also changes its state. Now let us know its working process.

A capacitor is like a bucket that can store electrons. To store a 1 in a memory cell, electrons are filled in the bucket. It is kept blank to store a 0.

The problem with the capacitor bucket is that there is leakage in it. Within a few milliseconds, the filled bucket becomes empty.

That is why, for dynamic memory to work, the CPU or memory controller has to recharge all those capacitors that are holding 1.

It is necessary to refresh the capacitor of Dynamic Memory periodically, otherwise, it will discharge to 0.

It is named Dynamic because of its frequent refresh operation, however, if it is not refreshed, then it forgets what it is holding.

Working Process Of RAM

Now we will not talk much technically here and will understand in simple language how RAM works.

When the mobile phone or computer is off, the RAM does not work at all and is empty.

At that time, our apps and software are stored in phone memory, a hard disk, or a memory card.

But as soon as we turn on the computer, the operating system is loaded first. Only after that do we open other software or apps.

Now it will be able to handle as much software and apps as the capacity of random access memory is, and if it exceeds the capacity, then it will show some messages like system memory is full or physical memory is full.

Then we have to close some software or apps. As soon as you turn it off, the system starts working at a good speed.

Characteristics Of RAM

Till now you have known many things related to main memory, now let us also know about some of its features.

• The size of RAM is always much less than that of a Hard Disk or any other storage device.
• Despite being small in size, it is quite expensive.
• It is also known as volatile memory because it remembers the data only as long as there is power.
• It is also called primary memory because all the software runs because of it. Apps and software are simply stored in secondary storage, but only primary memory is required to work.
• The greater the capacity of the primary memory, the greater the working capacity of the system. And the working timing of any software depends on its capacity.

How Much RAM Does A Computer Have?

Generally speaking, there is no fixed amount of RAM in the computer as to how much it should be. The RAM of a computer depends on many things.

The configuration of the computer is done according to what work you want to do on the computer and what type of task it is.

4 to 6 GB RAM is usually used in home personal computers. Whereas if we talk about professional work, then more than 8GB of RAM is used in it.

Graphic Design Importance 16 to 20 GVK of RAM is used.

In Short

Next time you buy a mobile device or computer, you can make the right choice. You will not doubt what kind of mobile to buy and what RAM it should have.

Friends, now you must have understood what is RAM. You have also learned about the characteristics of RAM of computers and mobile devices and how many types there are. Now you know very well what is RAM and how much RAM is there in the computer.

So, friends, I hope you liked this post very much. If you found this post helpful, then share it as much as possible with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.