What Is Static Random Access Memory?

Static Random Access Memory is a type of computer memory system

Computers utilize different memory systems in order to process data. RAM, or random access memory, is a type of temporary data storage system used in PCs. The two major types of RAM are DRAM, or dynamic RAM, and SRAM, or static RAM.

Definition

Static Random Access Memory is a temporary memory system that does not require its data to be refreshed or recharged with new information. Dynamic RAM, on the other hand, must have its data refreshed at a rate of thousands of times per second in order to avoid stored data loss.

Advantages

Static Random Access Memory offers a faster cycle time, or period of time it takes to process two back-to-back accesses of a RAM chip, than DRAM, since SRAM does not pause between accesses, or data retrievals. Static Random Access Memory is considered faster than DRAM, and has a data access time as low as 10 nanoseconds. A nanosecond is equal to one billionth of a second. Dynamic Random Access Memory data takes approximately 60 nanoseconds to be accessed.

Disadvantages

Static RAM chips are designed to operate more quickly than Dynamic RAM chips, and can do so because they have more transistors that are able to keep current flowing continuously. As a result, SRAM is more expensive to produce than Dynamic RAM.

References

• PCmag.com: Definition of: static RAM
• "Principles of Computer Hardware"; Alan Clements; Oxford University Press; 2006

Resources

• "How Computers Work"; Ron White; Que; 2007