RAM and ROM

RAM and ROM

1. ROM

   • The letters stand for 'read only memory'
   • When the computer is turned off, the ROM keeps all its data and memory. For example, date and clock.

2. RAM

   • The letters stand for 'random access memory
   • The RAM clears itself every time the computer is turned off
   • Dynamic RAM
     • Dynamic RAM is the most common memory in use today
       • It takes up more room on a chip
       • Each memory cell holds one bit of information and is made up of two parts: a transistor and a capacitor. These are, of course, extremely small transistors and capacitors so that millions of them can fit on a single memory chip.
   • Static RAM
     • Static RAM uses a completely different technology. In static RAM, a form of flip-flop holds each bit of memory. A flip-flop for a memory cell takes 4 or 6 transistors along with some wiring, but never has to be refreshed.
       • This makes static RAM significantly faster than dynamic RAM. However, because it has more parts, a static memory cell takes a lot more space on a chip than a dynamic memory cell.
         • Therefore you get less memory per chip, and that makes static RAM a lot more expensive.