Explain RAM and Processor Connections
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the temporary storage used by a computer's processor. While the computer is analyzing, computing or "processing" all the data that a user asks it to, it needs a place to temporarily store data and set up a work order of data groups to be processed. This is sometimes referred to as "virtual memory." If a computer has too little RAM space left, the processor has to use the computer's hard drive as extra virtual memory, a process that is many times slower than using RAM, which has a quicker access time due to faster access to the processor.
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Function
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The difference between a computer's RAM and a computer's hard disk can be compared to the difference between storing things on the surface of a table---within arm's reach---and storing them in a big filing cabinet across the room from the table. If you run out of space on the desk to put things you're working on, they'll have to go across the room in the big filing cabinet. However, imagine that anything you left on the surface of the table after leaving the room and shutting off the light would disappear unless you first stored it in the filing cabinet across the room. This is because RAM is volatile memory---memory that is wiped when it loses power.
Physical Features
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A computer's motherboard is made up of many connections known as "bus lines." One such bus line exists between the computer's processor and its RAM. Others run to devices attached to the motherboard, such as CD drives, hard drives and video, network and sound cards. The fastest is that of the connection between the processor and the computer's RAM.
The processor is seated in a socket on the motherboard where its pins connect into appropriate ports. These pin connections power the processor. Similarly, RAM is connected by pins into slots on the motherboard, but RAM chips typically stand upright whereas most processors lay flat with the motherboard. Bus lines connect the two on the motherboard.
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Bus Lines
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Two main brands of processors exist, Intel and AMD. Each of these brands uses the same types of RAM, which comes as synchronous dynamic RAM, or SDRAM, double data rate, or DDR, DDR2 and DDR3. SDRAM came before DDR, which is a type of SDRAM. The primary difference between the two is that DDR is able to be accessed or read from twice a cycle, or on the high and low points of the cycle's wavelength---a processor speed is measured in hertz, the frequency or number of cycles per second. This means that a processor can use DDR effectively twice as often as older SDRAM.
Identification
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Each type of RAM looks similar. They are usually oblong and green, measuring 4.5 to 5 inches long with black memory modules along either side. Pins stretch along their bottom edge. SDRAM chips have 100, 168, 184 or 240 pins. A different type of RAM used in laptops is called SO-DIMM. SO-DIMM is 2.5 to 3 inches long and has 72, 100, 144, or 200 pins. The greater number of pins the RAM has, the newer it is.
Considerations
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One of the cheapest and easiest computer upgrades for most computer users is a RAM upgrade. While upgrading a processor can be a lengthy and expensive process where users need to check compatibilities and possibly upgrade motherboards as well as a processor, upgrading RAM is as simple as installing new modules of RAM into the existing motherboard. When an older processor receives more space to work, the whole computer will run much better and programs will open quicker.
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References
- Photo Credit motherboard image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
