What is RAM?

Question

What is RAM, what does it do and what is it for?

Answer 1

RAM is the PC's short term "memory". It is where it stores all of the programs that are currently running. It takes those things from the Hard Drive.
For more information - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAM

Answer 2

Random Access Memory

Basically its a temporary holding spot for infomation from cpu

generally speaking the more the better
Windows 98 512mb MAX
windows XP minimum you should have 512mb
maxium i would say 2gig anymore is overkill

windows Vista 2gig minimum-16gig max
It will run with less, but when you start adding stuff like firewalls virus scans pop up blockers AOL, MSN LIVE coral paint and they are all running at once and your wondering why your pc is slowing down.. you will wish you had this much RAM i dont care what the guy at COMP USA , or Best Buy says,, anyless you will be called pokey after a month or two of use

a more detailed definition
Pronounced ramm, acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.
There are two basic types of RAM:

dynamic RAM (DRAM)
static RAM (SRAM)
The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data, dynamic RAM being the more common type. Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed, which makes it faster; but it is also more expensive than dynamic RAM. Both types of RAM are volatile, meaning that they lose their contents when the power is turned off.

Answer 3

RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory. All of your programs, while running, are using the memory to store information while you edit documents, use a media player, work online, etc. The more RAM you have installed the smoother and faster your computer runs. It's like an information pipeline where small amounts of RAM (anything under 512 Mb) can get choked up and slow your computer down. The more RAM, the larger the pipeline, less choking and smoother information flow.

Answer 4

ok the best way to discribe ram is, when the computer is off its like it is sleeping, when you fall asleep you forget what you know and when you wake up you remember everything again. So when you turn the computer on it uses the RAM to remember and run all the software on the computer, the more RAM you have the faster the computer will run the programs. If you do not have enough ram the programs or software you are running will not run. So look up your computer bill and read how much ram you have, when you purchase software look under computer requirements, if it says it need x amout of ram if its the same it will run on your computer, if its higher that the ram you have it will not run properly. Take care Heather

Answer 5

Hi,

RAM stands for random access memory and it stores programs that are being used. If you open Excel or any other program the files of that program located on the Hard Drive (another type of memory storage) are loaded in to RAM and you can use it.

Data in RAM is completely erased when the power is turned off. Data on the hard drive stays intact when power is removed.

Answer 6

It stands for Random Access Memory. It is the main memory of the computer. All programs and data have to be move there before they can be executed or operated with by the processor. The processor cannot work directly with the data on the Hard Drive, CD, USB drive or the Network, because these storages are many times slower then the RAM.

Answer 7

Random Access Memory. It is simply a temporary storage for the information from a hard drive that is being used by a processor. The reason for this is that it takes to much time to read and write info to a hard drive and if a computer had to constantly do that it would drasticly slow down that computers processing speed. The reason that Ram is temporary is because it needs a constant charge of electricity going to it to maintain its information. It is not reliable enough to use a perminent storage.

Answer 8

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU (central processing unit). When people refer to a computer's memory, they usually mean its RAM.

New computers typically come with at least 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM installed, and can be upgraded to 512MB or even a gigabyte or more. Hope this helps ?

Answer 9

RAM = Random Access Memory. It's the memory that people talk about when they say "My computer's got 1 Gigabyte of memory."

It's short term memory in effect. When you switch off your computer, it loses everything that was contained in it's memory. What you do is 'Save' what information you've got in memory onto your hard drive first, before you switch it off. (The hard drive acts as a form of long term storage. As an analogy, you put your clothes into a wardrobe. This would be equivalent to the hard drive. If you place your worn clothing in the washing machine, you can't immediatly put it back on. This would be equivalent to your RAM. To use it again, you'd have to dry it and iron it before wearing it.)

Answer 10

Random Access Memory. It is the work area used for loading, displaying and manipulating applications and data. Unlike the Hard drive on a PC used for storing data, RAM is accessed randomly.