RAM’s are basically the brains of the operation, a computer is reliant on virtual memory to store, manage, problem solve and troubleshoot problems in a computational device, better the ram, more efficient the device functionality and overall performance.
Memoryclearance offers you an in-depth and basic knowledge of various kinds and types of RAM’s available to you, so that you may control your device in a much optimal way.
– 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
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
DRAM being one of the two basic memory types (the other being SRAM), Dynamic Random-Access Memory requires a periodic ‘refreshing’ of power in order to function. The capacitors that store data in DRAM gradually discharge energy; no energy means that the data may be compromised. This is why DRAM is called ‘dynamic’. A constant change or action (e.g. refreshing) is needed to keep the data intact. DRAM is also a risky memory option when compared to SRAM, which means that all the stored data maybe lost in case of power outage.
The only reasons a DRAM is considered over a safer SRAM are lower costs of manufacturing and greater memory capacities. The disadvantages of using DRAM (vs. SRAM) are slower access speeds and higher power consumption. The DRAM is typically used in:
– System memory
– Video graphics memory
Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
Synchronous – DRAM is synchronized with the clock speed that the microprocessor is optimized for. This tends to increase and catalyze the number of instructions that the processor can perform in a given time making your device churn out huge volumes of data saving you time and promising minimum glitches and fluidity.
SDRAM is a classification of DRAM that waits for a command from the CPUs clock to function.DRAM on the other hand, is asynchronous, which means it responds immediately to data input. But the benefit of synchronous operation is that a CPU can process overlapping instructions in parallel, the ability to receive (read) a new instruction before the previous instruction has been fully resolved (write) or in layman’s term, it has the ability to cope with multiple projects simultaneously.
Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM)
‘Single Data Rate’ indicates how the memory processes one read and one write instruction per clock cycle in an SDR SDRAM. The labeling and classification helps to clarify comparisons and differences between SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM.
Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM)
DDR SDRAM is capable of processing two read and two write instructions per clock cycle. Although similar in function, DDR SDRAM varies in physical features, with 184 pins and a single notch on the connector compared to the 168 pin and two notch design seen on the SDR SDRAM. DDR SDRAM works at a lower standard voltage (2.5 V from 3.3 V), preventing backwards compatibility with SDR SDRAM.
DDR2 SDRAM is the evolutionary upgrade to DDR SDRAM. While still double the data rate, the DDR2 SDRAM is faster because it can run at higher clock speeds. Standard (not overclocked) DDR memory modules top out at 200 MHz, whereas standard DDR2 memory modules top out at 533 MHz. DDR2 SDRAM runs at a lower voltage (1.8 V) with more pins (240), which prevents backwards compatibility ensuring lowered costs and better performance along with added security. DDR3 SDRAM improves performance over DDR2 SDRAM through advanced signal processing (reliability), greater memory capacity, lower power consumption (1.5 V), and higher standard clock speeds (up to 800 Mhz).
Double Data Rate 4 (DDR 4) is the latest variant of memory in computing. DDR4 is able to achieve higher speeds and efficiency due to increased transfer rates and decreased voltage compared to its earlier variants in DDR, DDR1, DDR2 and DDR3.
Graphics Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (GDDR SDRAM)
GDDR SDRAM is a type of DDR SDRAM that is specifically designed for video graphics rendering, typically in conjunction with a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit) on a video card. Modern hyper-realistic PC games are known to push the envelope with incredibly realistic high-definition environments and read/write intensive designs, often requiring beastly system specifications and the best video card hardwares in order to play. Similar to DDR SDRAM, GDDR SDRAM has its own evolutionary line (improving performance and lowering power consumption): GDDR2 SDRAM, GDDR3 SDRAM, GDDR4 SDRAM, and GDDR5 SDRAM.
Despite sharing very similar characteristics with DDR SDRAM, GDDR SDRAM is not exactly the same. There are notable differences in how a GDDR SDRAM operates, particularly regarding how bandwidth is favored over latency. GDDR SDRAM is expected to process massive amounts of data (bandwidth), but not necessarily at the fastest speeds (latency).