Dynamic RAM, or DRAM, is the standard computer memory used in modern desktops. It is volatile and needs to be updated regularly. DRAM chips are made up of transistors and capacitors that store information and must be constantly charged. The speed and size of DRAM are indicated by MHz and GB. There are two types of DRAM: DIMM and SO-DIMM, which work the same way but are smaller and more expensive.
Dynamic RAM is the standard computer memory of the vast majority of modern desktop computers. It is a volatile memory that needs to be updated with voltage regularly, otherwise it loses the information stored on it. Dynamic RAM is also called DRAM. Volatile means that it loses the information stored on it as soon as the power is removed.
A random access memory (RAM) chip is a series of transistors and capacitors on a piece of silicon connected by circuitry. The capacitor is the element that stores information and must be constantly charged with voltage and updated to maintain it. The voltage wears off pretty quickly, and since these capacitors are small, they need to be refreshed often. This is where the “dynamic” element comes into play; each dynamic RAM chip has built-in logic that automatically updates each capacitor many times per second.
If the particular capacitor has stored data, it is fed regularly by the update. If it is empty, it is not powered. Each update is the logic that reads each capacitor, checks if it has information, powers it up if it does, and leaves it off if it doesn’t. This process happens many times per second and is one of the determining factors of the speed of dynamic RAM.
Dynamic RAM is indicated by its size and speed. For example, the memory module packaging or description might list 1066Mhz 1Gb DRAM. 1066Mhz is how fast a computer can read and write to memory, and the higher the number the better. The 1 Gb is the usable space on the chip; in this example, the chip can store 1 gigabyte of information on it while powered up. There are several types of DRAM.
One type of DRAM is the dual in-line memory module (DIMM) and is the most popular type of memory for servers and home use. Each side of the chip has connections, or pins, at the bottom and each side is separate, carrying multiple connections to the motherboard. Another type, Small Outline Double In-line Memory Module (SO-DIMM), is a smaller version of DIMM. SO-DIMM is used in laptops, routers, printers and other smaller devices that use memory. The two types of memory work in exactly the same way as dynamic RAM, but are smaller and therefore more expensive to manufacture and purchase.
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