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RAM (Random Access Memory), is also known as primary storage, primary memory, main storage, internal storage, and main memory. The RAM works very closely with the computers Processor (or CPU). The main function of the ram is to temporarily store data that is currently being used (or processed) by the processor, kind of like the computers short term memory. The data is only in the ram for a short period of time while the cpu needs it. The RAM allows the CPU to quickly retrieve the data that the system is currently using.
Think of ram like the cutting board for data, wouldn't you rather cut your food on a cuttingboard than in the refrigerator? The computer does a similar thing instead of processing data from the hard drive, it brings the data it needs to the closer and faster to access RAM to process data. Much of the time an upgrade in the amount of RAM you have can help provide your computer with a descent boost in speed, The more RAM your system has the more data it can store into "fast access".
There are different types of RAM which include include the latest DDR (double data rate), Rambus RDRAM RIMM, SDRAM, laptop memory SODIMM, and other types like SIMM or EDO. The vast majority of top performing machines will use either DDR or Rambus memory modules. These run at very fast bus speeds to match those of processors and motherboards.
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Example 1 shows an old SIMM RAM Module
Example 2 Shows some SDRAM Modules
Example 3 shows The more common DDR SDRAM
You may have noticed that the SDRAM and the DDR Ram look very similar, they are not, DDR wont fit in a SDRAM slot or vice versa.
Single in-line memory modules, SIMMs, have a pin count of 72 or 30 which have contacts on one side of the memory module only. DIMMs, dual in-line memory modules, have since replaced SIMMs and offer a double sided module. DIMM is the current standard used throughout the computer industry for DDR and SDRAM.
DDR ram Are built to preform with the newer CPUs with multi gigahertz clock speeds. DDR RAM, double data rate, can send data on both the rise and fall of the clock which has, in theory, doubled its speed from SDRAM. This development in ddr ram Allowed the stability and preformance of RAM to get much better in the past few years. DDR RAM SDRAM memory modules have 184 pins and memory chips either on a single side or both sides of the circuit board, depending on the memory capacity of the module
When looking at ram you may see different labels on them such as PC133 or PC2700 these tell you how fast the ram is. The SDRAM generally has PC and then 66, 100 or 133 the number after the pc is the frequency (speed) the SDRAM runs at, DDR ram however, the number after the pc is generally how many Megabytes per second they transferr. For example, PC2700 Ram tranfers 2700 MB of data per second that is 2.7GB.