RAM - what it is, form factor, features, modes of operation, a review of prices and manufacturers

RAM - What is it in your computer, laptop and phone

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Externally, the computer's memory looks like a set of chips for data storage. RAM is volatile, that is, when power is turned off everything that was stored in the memory will be erased. It serves as a memory for temporary storage of information. Unlike a hard disk, has a speed of operation several times higher.

What does the term "memory"? It means that RAM provides exactly the operational delivery of data from the application to the memory and vice versa. It is used in many electronic devices. This computers, tablets and smartphones, and routers, and a lot of other equipment, which, one way or another, you want to save a set of temporary data.

What is the RAM for your computer or laptop

Naturally, that more often than at the mention of the word memory is understood RAM for your computer. In computers, in fact as well as everywhere, RAM is designed for data storage. It looks like it is usually as a small chip with the contacts to be installed in the motherboard bus. At microchip placed arrays of capacitors and transistors.

In fact, it is they who keep the charge, forming thus a binary code of a set of bits, depending on whether there is a charge. Because, in order that the capacitor charge decreases periodically in the PC memory. And we have to somehow maintain it up to date. What RAM and requires regeneration which is usually within 2 milliseconds. However, this process reduces the overall memory performance due to the fact that the memory access pauses briefly.

What is the operational phone memory

RAM phone performs essentially the same function as in the computer - stores data. Due to the fact that the performance of mobile systems, such as tablets and phones, is quite small in comparison with computers, the RAM usually has a much smaller volume.

And its size is significantly inferior to the computer.

How does RAM

When you run a program on your computer or phone, it needs somewhere to place variables that she was going to operate. The app tells the operating system what it needs to maintain a certain amount of data. The system allocates the required memory location. And as long as the program is running, it can use all dedicated to her memory segment. If necessary, the program may additionally request a place in the new variables, or, on the contrary, make room in RAM. Physically, the on-chip data arise when filling charges into the capacitors. A release occurs during their zeroing.

Incidentally, it is worth noting that the processor cache is also RAM. Just a memory of the static type. Its main advantage - the speed and lack of need for regeneration. This memory is a set of transistors assembled in the trigger. Because of this, the cost of this memory is much higher than a simple dynamic. That is why it is used as a cache to the processor.

Details of RAM

In addition to the main characteristics of the volume, there are a number of characteristics, which can determine the speed of the chip.

Form Factor

Form Factor - is a variant of embodiment. In other words, both externally looks like chip. There are several basic form factors:

• SIMM. This type has long been outdated and no longer available. Module with contacts that were present only on one side of the board;
• DIMM. This form factor is used to host personal computers. It has contacts with the two sides. Chip memory storage can be located both on one side and the other. DIMM has various performances, in which the difference lies in the number and arrangement of key contacts. For example, all variants of DDR memory represent the DIMM form-factor;
• SO-DIMM. It is smaller version of the previous form factor. It is used in laptops. Also sometimes it may be used in some peripheral devices, such as printers.

The frequency and bandwidth

Overall system performance is characterized by a bandwidth, which in turn is based on the frequency. They also show the total RAM capacity. In fact, the rate reflects the data rate per unit time. The bigger, the better. Bandwidth shows a common data transmission rate in view of the frequency-width and number of channels. Typically, both of these parameters are specified in the RAM specification. When you select should always take them into account, focusing on what they should be equal to the frequency and bandwidth of the system bus. Only in this case, the maximum speed can be achieved.

What is the timing of RAM

Timing, or latency, delay indicates the time when the work RAM. Measured timings in memory bus cycles. The larger the number, the chip is slower. Typically, the timings are indicated in the specifications of three digits. May be present, and the fourth, which characterizes the overall performance. The following are all of these indicators, the memory faster.

Modes of operation of RAM

The memory can operate in several modes: single-channel, dual-channel, three-channel and four-channel even. What is dual channel mode memory? RAM is usually considered to be the bottleneck of the speed of the entire system. That is, the interaction between the nodes and elements of the motherboard could be faster if RAM might work better.

For this purpose, on the motherboard bus for RAM housed on the principle of multiple channels. That is, if you set the memory strip on a different channel, the access to the data will be much faster. However, it needs to fulfill a number of conditions. First, the modules must be exactly the same, have the same capacity, frequency and bandwidth. memory strip need to place the tires with different channels. Motherboard manufacturers special paint their tires in different colors. That is, the channels can contain two slots of different colors. In a similar set, and other multi-channel systems.

Leading manufacturers RAM

During the existence of the RAM had already formed the backbone of the main manufacturers leaders. Their modules are reliable and productive. Let's see, who now holds the top position in the production of RAM:

• Kingston. The US company, which occupies 46% of the memory market. Its products are very often gets into various tops and ratings. In addition to the RAM, the company also produces external drives. By the way, HyperX memory modules belong to this particular company;
• Micron. The American company, better known under the brand C It has quite a large niche in the production of RAM;
• Corsair. The American company, which is engaged in the development of not only memory, but also the production of various computer peripherals, cooling and many other electronic devices;
• Samsung. About this Korean company, probably everyone knows. Her activities include a variety of different directions. And one of them - the production of RAM.

How to choose, if you decide to buy a memory

The first thing to do - is to get acquainted with the specification of your motherboard. Here we are concerned with the number of available slots, the ability to work in dual channel mode, as well as the frequency of the bus. It should be noted that many manufacturers of motherboards on their official websites contain a list of recommended and supported devices, such as processors and memory. Therefore, we recommend also to seek help there.

As far as the selection RAM module, then select the destination and characteristics necessary on the basis of the obtained data on the motherboard. First you need to determine the type of RAM. If your computer is newer, then most likely, it will be either DDR3Or DDR4. Then you need to look at the maximum frequency of the bus. And for her to navigate among the memory modules. If you install the RAM with a higher frequency than that of the tire, it will work on its basic frequency. For two or more channel modes is better to look in the direction of the special sets of modules, which produce some of the company. They are absolutely identical to each other and are perfect for multi-channel implementation. Limitation on the amount of memory can occur either in low-budget, or for 32-bit operating systems.

How to increase memory performance on your computer

At that moment, when RAM performance no longer enough, it would be desirable to increase the maximum budget process. To do this, use several methods available. Before you increase the RAM on your PC by regular means, best to make are really missing is that memory, because the problem of low productivity may be hiding in the other.

How to increase the amount of RAM

In fact, to increase the amount of RAM you can only install additional bar in the slot physically. But there are methods that make it possible to simulate this process, to the detriment of performance and read and write speeds, because of RAM - a memory that stores some data.

The first method that can be used - it is borrowing space from flash cards. That is, we use external storage memory as RAM. For this purpose there Readyboost function, which by default comes with the Windows operating system, starting with Vista. In order to apply this method to insert a USB flash drive, click on it, right click and select properties.

Then you go to the Readyboost tab.

Here, the system will check the suitability of the stick and let you know whether you can use it as RAM. Not all flash drives are supported, so the system can notify that the device can not be used in this way. This method should be used in the most extreme cases, because of the real growth he will not. Even if it will run several additional programs and applications, the speed of their work is very small. This is due to the fact that removable media work much slower than RAM.

In some cases, it may help increase or inclusion of the paging file. This method allows you to use the free space on the hard drive as memory. It has the same drawback as a memory stick - slow speed. Get into setting the swap file can be by right-clicking on the icon "My Computer" and selecting properties.

Then you need to go to the "Advanced System Settings" and select "Advanced" tab. In the "Performance" section is the "Settings" button, which will open a window with the performance parameters. We are interested in the tab "Advanced", which comprises a "virtual memory."

This is the swap file. In the same block it will indicate how much memory is currently in use.

To set your size you have to click on the button "Change".

A new window will appear to the user a set of options. You can set a tick to the system automatically adjusts and increases the volume as needed swap file. Just below, you can specify the size manually, or not to use a swap file. After you specify all of the changes you need to press the button "Set", and then click OK. Thus, you can temporarily solve the problem of shortage of RAM.

How to increase the frequency RAM

Increasing RAM is called frequency dispersal. And it is possible to implement, increasing overall system bus speed. It must be remembered that changing this parameter, one way or another, affect the operation of the whole system, including the CPU.

This operation is performed through the Bios of the computer. Usually, you need to press F2, F8 or DEL, to enter into it. It may also occur, and other combinations. In different versions of BIOS items are responsible for the installation of frequency values ​​may be labeled differently. You need to look something like a CPU Host Frequency.

Being this option can be configured power or special separate paragraph. Also, on some systems will have to initially unlock the ability to manually change the settings.

This item can be called a CPU Host Frequency Control. Need to increase the frequency in small steps, each time rebooting and checking the stability of the system. As soon began to emerge error or malfunction, it is necessary to return to the Bios and return the previous frequency.

How much is a memory - price review

If you know of any interesting and important nuances of RAM works, you can share your knowledge in the comments.