The applications that users run during the time they spend in front of the computer, the multimedia files they view and many other digital contents;
It can be experienced with the help of hardware and environmental components such as processor, graphics card and monitor.
However, some hardware units work like secret heroes to ensure that this entire process can occur and continue.
RAM (Random Access Memory), which can also be defined as system memory, allows the use of all kinds of digital content, from the operating system to applications.
At this point, getting to know RAM better, what it does and how it works helps to understand the importance of system memory.
What is RAM?
RAM, which consists of millions of transistors and capacitors and is similar to modern processors, is produced in the form of an integrated circuit.
The hardware component, which can be installed in RAM slots on computer motherboards and is offered as modules, temporarily stores the data in the computer in memory chips placed on the integrated circuit, making it possible to evaluate the operating system, applications and all other digital content that users call.
The most up-to-date examples on the PC side, produced within the framework of the standards determined by JEDEC; RAM that can be listed as DDR4 and DDR5;
They are divided into categories according to factors such as capacity and speed. While the value expressed in MHz indicates how quickly a memory can transfer data, the latency expressed in nanoseconds (CAS Latency) represents the delay experienced in the memory controller’s feedback process of the command to access the memory column.
As the latency decreases, the speed at which the memory accesses data increases.
For this reason, when choosing RAM, technology enthusiasts can choose solutions with overclocking support and CAS Latency values that are subject to change.
What is RAM used for?
RAM, which the computer and applications use to store and access temporary data, is a hardware component with very high speeds and cannot be used for permanent storage like SSD.
Allowing the applications that users call to run independently of the storage unit, RAM enables the use of operating systems and video editing tools, web browsers, games and many other applications that are frequently used in daily life.
RAM, which is in constant communication with the processor (CPU), does not provide a permanent memory like SSD or mechanical disks, and in cases such as a power outage or shutting down the computer, the data in the memory chips is deleted.
By using third-party applications, RAM can be used as a storage unit such as SSD. Game enthusiasts who want to completely eliminate loading times, especially in large-sized games, can obtain memories large enough to accommodate all game files and implement this scenario.
How Does RAM Work?
In dynamic RAMs (DRAM) used in computers, a transistor and a capacitor pair up to create a memory cell that represents one bit of data.
While the capacitors hold the information bit, the transistor plays the role of a switch that allows the control circuit on the memory chip to read the capacitor or change its current state.
This entire process consists of 1s and 0s, and the RAM capacitor resembles a box that temporarily stores electrons.
In memory cells, the box is filled with electrons to store a 1, and it is emptied to store a 0. The memory controller on the processor (CPU) controls the capacitors for the correct operation of the DRAM module and regularly reads and rewrites the data in the memory.
This process occurs automatically thousands of times within a second.
What happens in practice makes it easier to understand how RAM works. For example, a user double-clicks the shortcut to his favorite game.
The program starts storing its files into RAM. After the storage process is completed, images of the game appear on the screen.
When the user interacts with the game’s menus, this entire process takes place through the data stored in RAM.
When the game session is closed, the data in the memory is deleted. In short, games, applications and all similar digital content actually run in memory.
For this reason, games and applications may have high RAM requirements.
