Computer Hardware
RAM
Definition
Random-Access Memory (RAM) is a form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code. RAM is a volatile memory, meaning its contents are lost when the computer is powered off.
Why It Matters
RAM is your computer's short-term memory. It is extremely fast, and it holds the operating system, applications, and data currently in use so that the CPU can access them quickly. The more RAM a computer has, the more applications it can run smoothly at the same time.
Contextual Example
When you open a program like a web browser, it is loaded from your slow hard drive into your fast RAM. As you open more tabs, they consume more RAM.
Common Misunderstandings
- RAM is different from storage (like an SSD or HDD). RAM is volatile and used for active tasks, while storage is non-volatile and used for long-term data preservation.
- Running out of RAM will cause the computer to use a "swap file" on the much slower storage drive, which significantly degrades performance.