RAM chips store active data during computer operation and are connected to the processor via the front-end bus. The memory controller on the motherboard handles read and write operations and refreshes RAM every 64 milliseconds. Dual-channel memory controllers can increase bandwidth, but other system considerations may limit their effectiveness.
During operation, computers store active data in Random Access Memory (RAM) chips. RAM chips are inserted into a computer’s motherboard and connected to the computer’s processor via the front-end bus. They provide what is essentially a direct highway for exchanging program variables and data. The memory controller is a chip typically found on the northbridge of the motherboard. It handles read and write operations with system memory, as well as keeps RAM active by supplying electrical current to the memory.
RAM is generally a faster solution than other types of storage such as hard drives and optical discs. However, one of the drawbacks of RAM is that it needs to be fed a constant flow of power to function. As soon as the power supply stops, the information stored in the RAM chips is lost. The memory controller satisfies this need by “refreshing” RAM at a constant rate while the computer is turned on.
During a “refresh,” the memory controller sends a pulse of electronic current through the RAM chips. The amount of current sent through RAM is selected through the computer’s binary input output system (BIOS). This occurs at least every 64 milliseconds, keeping RAM active and data stored secure against loss due to power outages. Without the memory controller, your data would be lost in fractions of a second.
The memory controller also handles read and write operations on the RAM chips. It acts to select the appropriate demultiplexer circuit for data storage and retrieval. Think of the memory on RAM chips like houses and the demultiplexer circuit like a street address; in order to “send” information to a specific house or to retrieve information from that house, the computer needs to know which address to use. The memory controller acts as an intermediary in these operations, ensuring that the correct information is retrieved from the correct locations.
Some types of memory use dual-channel memory controllers. On these two memory controllers work in tandem. They are placed on two separate “buses,” also called channels, allowing multiple read and write operations to be performed simultaneously. The benefit is that, in theory, the total bandwidth of the bus is doubled. However, in practice, other system considerations such as bus speed and processor capabilities typically limit the extent to which the theoretical maximum bandwidth can be utilized.
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