Scribd
Upload
47 views

Volatile Memory: Computer Memory Data Storage

Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly lost.

Uploaded by

a2962109
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
47 views

Volatile Memory: Computer Memory Data Storage

Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly lost.

Uploaded by

a2962109
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Volatile memory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Jump to navigationJump to search
This article needs additional citations
for verification. Please help improve this
article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced
material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Volatile
memory" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July
2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template
message)

Computer memory and data
storage types

show

General

Volatile

show

RAM

show

Historical

Non-volatile

show

ROM

show
NVRAM

show

Early stage NVRAM

show

Analog recording

show

Optical

show

In development

show

Historical

 v
 t
 e

Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memory that


requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered
on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly lost.
Volatile memory has several uses including as primary storage. In addition to usually
being faster than forms of mass storage such as a hard disk drive, volatility can protect
sensitive information, as it becomes unavailable on power-down. Most general-
purpose random-access memory (RAM) is volatile.[1]

Types[edit]
There are two kinds of volatile RAM: dynamic and static. Even though both types need
continuous electrical current to retain data, there are some important differences
between them.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is very popular due to its cost-effectiveness. DRAM stores each
bit of information in a different capacitor within the integrated circuit. DRAM chips need
just one single capacitor and one transistor to store each bit of information. This makes
it space-efficient and inexpensive. [2]
The main advantage of static RAM (SRAM) is that it is much faster than dynamic RAM.
Its disadvantage is its high price. SRAM does not need continuous electrical refreshes,
but it still requires constant current to sustain the difference in voltage. Every single bit
in a static RAM chip needs a cell of six transistors, whereas dynamic RAM requires only
one capacitor and one transistor. As a result, SRAM is unable to accomplish the storage
capabilities of the DRAM family.[3] SRAM is commonly used as CPU cache and
for processor registers and in networking devices.

You might also like