PC ram is memory for short-term use. It works with the CPU to accelerate performance and boost your experience when running demanding applications like video games or video editing software.
Data in RAM is stored as 0’s and 1’s called bits. It’s also compressed to reduce storage space and speed up transfer speeds.
What Is RAM?
Computer RAM is a memory technology that allows data to be stored and accessed instantly. This means that a program can load quickly and your computer will operate at peak performance. Without adequate memory capacity, your machine would run very slowly.
Modern RAM comes in the form of a computer chip (integrated circuit) that is soldered directly onto the logic board or installed in memory modules that fit into sockets on the logic board. It uses semiconductors to store data, which are faster than magnetic cores used in older technologies.
It’s important to remember that RAM is volatile, meaning that it loses data when the power is shut off. This contrasts with nonvolatile storage like a hard disk, which retains data even when the power is off. The faster the RAM can perform operations, the more applications and games a computer can run simultaneously. Having enough memory is one of the most affordable and easy ways to improve system speed and performance.
What is Cache?
Cache is a temporary data storage location that helps hardware or software access information much faster than if it had to retrieve it from its primary source. It’s like the memory in your phone or web browser that saves your history so that you can easily go back to sites you visited previously.
Most modern computer processors include high-speed cache memory that enables them to access instructions at a much faster rate than if they had to retrieve them from main system RAM. The highest speed cache is called L1 caching, which is integrated into the CPU chip and offers the lowest latency.
The next fastest cache is L2 cache, which can be separate from the CPU or attached to it using a fast alternative system bus. Then there is disk cache, which uses a hard drive or solid-state disk to store a portion of main system RAM that is frequently accessed. This reduces the number of read and write operations to the slower disk drives, improving system performance.
What is RAM Speed?
When it comes to gaming and high-end creative applications, RAM speed makes a difference. It determines how quickly programs open and respond, enables you to multitask without that spinning wheel cursor, and bolsters overall system performance.
Generally speaking, higher frequency RAM is faster. However, this isn’t always the case and can depend on the specific CPU architecture and other hardware components.
For example, certain AMD processors are known to benefit more from faster RAM than Intel processors. Also, different motherboards handle RAM speeds differently, so you should check your motherboard and processor specifications to ensure that they can support the maximum RAM speed you intend to buy.
Another factor to consider is latency. This is the amount of time it takes for RAM to receive a command from the CPU and transfer data. Lower latency does not necessarily translate into better performance, but it can help.
What is RAM Latency?
Memory performance isn’t just about speed; it’s also about latency. Latency is the amount of time that it takes to get a command from the CPU to the RAM and then back again. When selecting a RAM kit, it is important to understand the relationship between speed and latency so you can select the best combination of both.
Memory timings are usually listed as a series of numbers followed by an alphabetical letter (CL) and then some other letters (tRCD, tRP, tRAS). The first number is the memory’s Column Access Strobe (CAS) latency, which describes how many clock cycles it takes for the RAM to output data requested by the CPU.
It is helpful to imagine your memory space as a giant spreadsheet with rows and columns, where each cell holds binary data (0 or 1). The second number is the Row Address Clock Delay (tRCD), which describes how long it takes to open a row in the spreadsheet.