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RAM explained

So what is RAM? What does RAM do? What different types of RAM are there? Can my computer work without RAM? How does RAM affect hard disk virtual memory?

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a special type of computer data storage. It most commonly in modern computers takes the form of integrated circuits that are on what is called a memory module. Each single one of these integrated circuits allow for data which is stored on the hard disk to be executed in any order (at random), hence the acronym (RAM).

RAM works the opposite from things such as magnetic tape spool backup and hard disks in that both of the fore mentioned use magnetic recording mediums, and moving heads combined with mechanical parts in order to store and send data whose speed is determined by where the bits and pieces of data are stored, and generally read data much slower compared to the instant nature of RAM.

RAM is volatile, which means that it only retains what ever data is currently stored within its circuits as long as there is constant power applied to the computer, once the computer is switched off, everything that is currently in the RAM, is then written to the hard disk, or completely lost.

As you open programs and execute data on your computer, more and more memory can and most likely will be used up, when this happens, your computer will resort to disk swapping steadily, more and more to compensate for this increased usage of memory. Usually, adding more RAM to a system, will, smooth things out because there is more volatile storage space for the programs to work with, causing less of a need for the computer to have to resort to using the hard disk for virtual memory.

Different RAM types, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, The latencies starting from SDRAM, and going all the way up through DDR3 SDRAM, increase gradually as the clock speeds increase for each type of memory.

The majority of mid range computers that you buy at the store now all pretty much come with DDR2 SDRAM, usually anywhere from 512 Megabytes for the cheaper systems, up to 2 gigabytes for the more expensive systems and even as much as 4 or 6 Gigabytes for the high end gaming systems and productivity/power user systems.

And contrary to popular belief, NO, your computer will not load the Operating system without having at least one memory module (RAM) inserted into the slot on the motherboard. Motherboards use BIOS to load all of the instructions for the OS etc, when the system is switched on, this is not the same thing as RAM, BIOS, is ROM (Read Only Memory) which cannot be dynamically written to like RAM.

Most motherboards today will make a loud being sound if power is applied to them without a RAM module being inserted into at least one of the memory slots.
GDDR RAM is a slightly modified higher end variant of the traditional DDR, DRR2, AND DDR3 RAM used for the overall system memory via the motherboard. GDDR RAM is typically used for mid range to high end graphics cards made by Nvidia and ATI. The ranges on this type of memory are from GDDR, to GDD4, with slight improvements and bandwidth capabilities which increase with each level up the chain, as well as latency differences.

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