About Computer Memory

Types

The two types of memory are disc storage and random access memory (RAM). Disc storage, also called the hard drive, is a part of the computer that stores the long term information on the computer. This information remains on the computer until it is deleted. Examples of things stored on the hard drive are files, pictures and documents. RAM is memory that temporarily runs processes on a computer. The amount of RAM that a computer has impacts the size and number of processes that a computer can run.

What makes RAM random is that integrated circuits found in the RAM can be accessed at any time and in any order. Instead of a user accessing the memory in a predetermined order based off the program running the memory data, the computer can access any portion of the memory at any time. This allows computing that occurs at a constant time.

The hard drive determines how much data you can store, such as programs and saved files.

All modern computers have RAM. Computers with more RAM can run more programs at the same time and can also run programs that are very intense, such as high-end games and graphics editing programs. If more programs are run than the RAM allows, the computer will slow down at the very least or crash at the very most.

A computer's hard drive can also become overwhelmed. This can cause a computer to crash and also prevent the computer owner from storing more data. This problem can be solved by deleting unnecessary files, running a disc defragmenting program, running a disc cleanup program or deleting cookies.

Purchasers who want to save money often cut back on the amount of RAM that they put into their computers, but later find they need more RAM than expected to run a process or program. One option is to upgrade the RAM on the computer, but there are also RAM boosters that can be downloaded for free on the Internet. These programs not only make the use of RAM more efficient, but also show a number on the dashboard that tells how many bytes of RAM are being used by the computer.

As for hard drive memory, computer users can purchase flash drives and external hard drives to store excess data. There are also websites that allow visitors to upload files for free.

Because of how RAM is designed, a computer loses memory when the computer is suddenly shut down, such as during a power outage. Recently, programmers have begun developing non-volatile RAM. This form of RAM does not lose data when a computer is shut down; however, the performance of this RAM is still a problem that developers are working to fix.