What is RAM on a laptop? What do they mean? What to keep in mind when choosing to buy?

RAM is an important component indispensable on a laptop . So what is RAM, what is its role?

What is RAM?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is random access memory. When opening a software on a laptop, data will be transferred from the hard drive to RAM and transferred to the CPU for processing, then saved back to the hard drive because RAM is much faster than Hard Drive.

Data on RAM is stored on each memory cell and each memory cell has a different address, besides, the time to read and write data on the same memory cell is the same.

Structure of RAM

Motherboard

This is a circuit board that includes all the components of RAM, they connect between the memory components and the computer through a silicon semiconductor circuit.

Processor

Unlike conventional (asynchronous) DRAM, SDRAM’s memory operations are synchronized with the microprocessor to simplify the control interface and eliminate unnecessary signal generation.

Memory bank

This is the component that has data storage modules. In SDRAM, there are always two or more memory banks, allowing one of them to have access to the others.

Chip SPD

SDRAM has an on-board SPD (serial presence detect) chip that contains information about memory type, size, speed, and access time. This chip allows the computer to access this information at startup.

Counter

On-chip counters keep track of column addresses to enable high-speed cluster access. It uses two types of clusters sequential and interlaced.

How RAM works

In phones and computers, RAM is used to coordinate with computer memory to control, access, and use data. At this time, the CPU transfers data from the drive to RAM for temporary storage, the memory areas occupied on RAM will be returned when the user closes the application or turns off the computer.

Popular types of RAM

RAM is divided into 2 types, SRAM and DRAM , SRAM aka Static RAM (Static RAM) This type of RAM does not lose its content after loading unless the computer is started, it is applied to store initial data. motion.

Unlike SRAM, DRAM (Dynamic RAM) is used to temporarily store data when running an application and can be returned to memory when closing the application or shutting down or turning off the phone or computer.

Types of Dynamic RAM

• SDRAM (short for Synchronous Dynamic RAM): Also known as synchronous ram.
• DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM) : An improved version of SDR with 184 pins, very few computers still use it.
• DDR2 : An upgraded version of DDR, DDR2 has 240 pins for a significant speed increase, now used in older computers.
• DDR3 : Is the widely used, high-speed ram line.
• RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM) : commonly known as Ram bus, is made in a completely new technique compared to previous generations.
• DDR4 : Released in 2014, replacing DDR3, upgraded in terms of transmission speed from 2133-4266 MHz, using a lower voltage of only 1.2V. In addition, DDR4 RAM is also more expensive than DDR3.

What does RAM mean?

RAM (Random Access Memory) or random access memory of the computer is used as a temporary storage place for data and executable instructions of the operating system and applications before writing them to the hard drive at the end of the working session. job.

In case the system does not have enough RAM to meet, the operating system will switch to using virtual memory , which is part of the hard drive as a place to exchange data.

Parameters on RAM

• DDR3 SDRAM (referred to as DDR3 ): Based on the SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) design, which uses clock signals to synchronize everything. DDR stands for Double Data Rate – Double Data Rate, which means that in one clock two blocks of data can be transferred, so the data transfer rate is twice as fast.
• Capacity : Is the amount of information that a ram can store. Depending on each ram, there are different capacity types such as: 2GB, 4GB, …
• ECC (Error Checking and Correction) : This is a basic component in the current server system. There are two types of ECC memory, unbuffered ECC and registered ECC.
• Bus: Consists of many small electrical conductors combined, is a corridor system to conduct data from parts of the computer (CPU, memory, IO devices). The bus contains the same function as the plumbing system.
• CAS (Column Address Strobe), also known as Latency : Is the time counted from when the command line is transferred to the RAM stick and responds to the CPU.
• Refresh Rate : Server RAM is made up of hundreds of electronic cells, each of which must be recharged thousands of times per second because otherwise the data contained in them will be lost. Therefore, dynamic memory needs to have a reloading process, this process is often called “refresh” by us.

What to consider when choosing RAM?

The type of RAM the laptop uses

When choosing RAM, you must know what type of RAM the laptop is using, how much bus it is and whether it is supported by the motherboard or not.

About the type of RAM

If your machine is using DDR RAM, you should install the same pair. For example, if your laptop is using 2 GB of 1333 MHz bus RAM, it must be 2 GB of 1333 MHZ bus when you install it. The reason to understand these issues is because the additional RAM needs to have the same performance, the same bus and the same capacity to ensure stability and maximize performance.

Amount of RAM

In case you want to install 4 GB RAM, you should install 2 RAM sticks, each stick is 2 GB of the same type, not a 4 GB stick as everyone thinks. Your choice of RAM capacity from 2 – 4 GB depends on the operating system and the programs you need to use.

How much RAM is enough?

Today, laptops are usually equipped with a minimum of 2 GB RAM, some other models can have up to 8 GB of RAM, some more expensive laptops are equipped with RAM from 12 GB to 16 GB.

The minimum level of RAM (2 GB) is only suitable for tasks such as web browsing, email, watching videos or playing some light games . 4GB RAM is the amount of RAM that a Windows or OS X laptop can meet the needs of most users today.

In summary, 8 GB of RAM will meet most users’ needs, and if the amount of RAM is larger than these numbers, it is usually to satisfy some user’s passions such as 3D gaming or doing graphics, planning math with spreadsheets with large numbers,…

If you have any questions, please leave a question below so that lassho.edu.vn can help you.